Sig’s kingdom.
This is the same fountain Sig used to get to Dawnlin twenty years ago. I wonder if it looked the same when she called the Guardian, the onebeforeDane. I wonder if she knew what she was doing, and didn’t stumble upon it like I did, leaving her home behind at the last moment.
“I remember you saying you never left Blackwood, so I thought you might want to see another kingdom,” he says.
A few months ago, I would have seen this gesture as heartfelt and caring, but that was before. That was before I knew about all the lies and manipulations. That was before I had tried to figure out his motivations. He doesn’t want me to leave, so he ensured I couldn’t change my mind.
I still need to act like it is before.
“That was really thoughtful of you,” I say, the sweet words feeling like ash in my mouth. “Maybe once we find an answer, we could actually visit it together. Maybe after I find the cure.”
His face lights up at my praise. “I would take you anywhere you want,” he says as he reaches out to stroke the side of my face.
I smile up at him, then my lips drop again. “I don’t think the fountain holds any answers.”
“I agree. We would have noticed something.”
I let out a harsh sigh. “We just wasted so much time,” I say, dropping my gaze to the ground.
“It wasn’t a waste, because we aren’t left wondering. Now we know for sure that we didn’t miss something, and can move on to find what we need on the island.”
I nod quietly and take a deep breath.
Wasted. This entire trip was wasted time and wasted dust. The whole point of the plan lasting for two days is to get information on how to replenish it directly from the Guardian, and I’m starting to feel like I’m going to get back to the ship only bearing bittersweet news.
“We should go back,” I whisper.
“Do you want to see the city before we do?” he asks, gesturing over his shoulder. “We could find a tavern, get some food. Just like before.” Hope gleams in his eyes, but I shake my head.
“No, I want to go back. I’m not done looking.”
He nods and glances around the space, just as he did when we left Blackwood a lifetime ago, and it hits me like a blow to the chest.
He’s looking to see if anyone is around, making sure no one sneaks in.
Just like he did.
I clench my teeth, trying to keep my face neutral, as he steps in front of me. He wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me into him before reaching into the pouch. My breaths shorten and I try not to flinch as his hand descends toward the glowing gold. How much dust is he going to use? Could he use less and we still make it?
“Use as little as possible,” I rush out before he lifts his hand.
“I will. I did before too,” he says. I’m sure it was meant to be reassuring, but it only acts as a reminder that I am running out of time.
I need answers.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Dane drops the dust over our heads and we disappear, magic pulsing around us before we slam back into the ground. Gone is the sea air and cool breeze of Berrendahr, and we are surrounded once again by the stifling humidity of Dawnlin. Darkness has fallen, and the scene from the plateau is much different from the last time I landed here. A sole torch lights the space, and Dane walks over toward it, pulling it from its perch.
“We need to move quickly. It’s not safe to be out in the open like this.”
Dane’s urgency tonight is a stark contrast to his behavior the last time he was here. We watched, hidden in the marshes, as he and Storm walked down the path, casually at ease, anger being the only sign of discomfort. They didn’t seem to have any concern about being discovered or confronted by the Castaways. Has this all just been part of the lie Dane has spun? Was he ever truly worried about us running into them?
It’s not me you need to protect yourself against.
Weston said it back when I first met him, when he threw my weapons into the lagoon, so I didn’t use them against him. Ididn’t believe him at the time, but now it’s just another element of Dane’s deception that falls into place.
I nod quickly, agreeing so we can get back to camp faster.
