That smile returned—sharper and colder than ever. Like a knife blade.
“That would be agreeable,” said Rebekah, who looked to Essie, glaring back at her from Roa’s fist.
Essie spread her wings in a show of fearless anger. But Roa felt as if invisible bars were already clanging shut around them. She knew what the terms would be. Before she turned away,Roa looked to Garnet, who held the rope binding Torwin’s hands.
“Harm him,” she said so only Garnet and his captive could hear, “and you’ll be the second guard I leave in an alley with his throat slit open.”
And then, in spite of everything, Torwin grinned at her. It was so reckless, so brave, that Roa couldn’t help but borrow strength from it.
Twenty
At dinner, the table groaned with food piled high onto platters and silver pitchers full of wine. The sight made Roa ill. For years she’d watched the fields of Song turn from gold to white, watched her parents ration meals, watched her neighbors line up for handouts.
The guests around her gorged themselves, oblivious to her people’s hunger.
More than this, they joked and laughed as if Torwin was all but forgotten. As if he hadn’t just been hunted down like prey.
Roa didn’t touch her food. Her appetite had fled.
Afterward, as the guests left, Roa instructed Dax, Lirabel, Jas, and Safire to go on without her.
“Absolutely not.” Safire planted her feet. “Are you out of your mind?”
Dax said nothing, studying Roa. His tunic’s golden hue complemented his warm complexion. His curls had been tamedtonight, but his cheeks were still peppered with the beginnings of a beard.
“This is my fault,” Roa told him. “I need to fix it.”
Safire’s blue eyes were wild with worry. “How exactly do you plan on rescuing Torwin alone and unarmed?”
“Just... trust me.” Roa couldn’t quite meet their eyes as she said it. She felt Dax’s gaze like a weight pressing down on her.
“I’m coming with you,” Safire said at the same time Dax said, “We’ll wait for you in the courtyard.”
Safire glanced at him, stunned. Something passed between them in a look, and a moment later, Safire relented. “If you take too long, we’re coming in to get you.”
Rebekah led Roa to a different room this time. One that smelled sterile, like vinegar and cut limes.
The moment she stepped inside, Essie flinched, shuffling across her shoulder, keeping close to Roa. It didn’t take long to find the source of her sister’s unease.
The longest wall of this room was lined with black cages. Some stood empty, but most were full of birds—some frantically chirping and hopping from one side to the other, others who’d resigned themselves to their fates and sat warily on their perches.
Sharp instruments of all shapes and sizes were laid out on a small table, their blades glinting in the torchlight.
Roa brushed her sister’s wings with the backs of her fingers—as much for her own comfort as for Essie’s.
Theo entered the room behind her, followed by Garnetand three other guards. At the sight of her friend, Roa turned sharply away.
“I’m very glad you’ve changed your mind,” Rebekah said as she approached a wide fire basin. “What kind of terms would you like to discuss?”
Roa stepped up to the basin, touching the iron rim. In the scrublands, every basin was engraved with prayers to the Old One. This one was prayerless.
“Hand over Torwin and the Skyweaver’s knife to me tonight,” said Roa, “and I’ll give you what you want.”
“Done.” Taking up the steel and flint, Rebekah struck it until the kindling in the basin lit. Gently, she blew on the sparks until the twigs caught. “Tell me your plans, and you can walk out of this house with both things.”
Roa shook her head. “Torwin is not a thing.” And she was not taking any chances. “I need assurance that you’ll hand him over to me alive and unhurt.”
Rebekah glanced up. “A relationship can’t work without trust, Roa.”
