Avlyndidn’t hesitate likeIdid. “Asfar asI’mconcerned, you are.Maybenot officially, but this is war, and what’s official is less important than warts on a hobgoblin's back.Ineed you to step up,Tori, for me and this kingdom.”
Isn’tthat whatIalways wanted?Tofinally have respect, to enact change, to protect my people?Iballed my fist, angry at myself for being scared now that the opportunity presented itself.Aharsh whisper in my head echoed,you’ll never be good enough; you’ll never deserve this.
Asoft golden light tried to wrap itself around my heart to soothe me.Butthe waves of my mind churned with fear, and the light wasn’t strong enough.Icould feel myself being pulled under.You’vefailed.YoufailedAbraxas.YoufailedAvlyn.YoufailedJun.You’vefailed everyone, and they can all see it.
Isprung up from my chair. “Itcan’t be me,Avlyn.I’llgetAbraxasback,I’lldo… something… but not this.”
“Tori…”Avlyn’svoice was soft, butIspun away from them and bolted outof the room.
Itrudgedto the wing of the castle where my old room was.Ihad sentJunandPallasthere earlier to get cleaned up, and some well-needed rest, but the servants had recommended they stay elsewhere.Apparently, the wing had been mostly abandoned since we left.Inow saw why.
Greatwebs spread all over the hallways, making them impassable.Onepath down a deep tunnel in the web could have been traversed, but every survival instinct in me fought that.Instead,Iplucked one thread of the web and called out softly, “Spinner?”
Theweb shifted rapidly as a harsh chittering sound emerged from the back of the hallway, hidden in darkness.ButIsaw his eight great legs moving against the small pockets of light penetrating his fortress, and a few moments later, he was hanging from the roof in front of me.
Hewas much larger than the last timeIsaw him, as tall as the hounds used for hunting in the forest, and with his legs, much wider.
“My, how you’ve grown!”Hepopped his front legs up excitedly and waggled from side to side.Ahappy squeal escaped him as he hopped down to the floor in front of me, his landing perfectly silent.
Ireached out and pet his head, but he ran his front legs over my body, searching my pockets and sleeves.Myheart twinged. “AndhereIthought you missed me.I’msorry, boy, butIdon’t have it.”
Helet out an annoyed hiss at that and crossed his front legsin such a human expression thatIcouldn’t help but crack a smile.Itvanished quickly.
“Ilost it.It’s…”ThetearsIheld back started to fall. “…it’s all my fault.”Spinnerspun around and nuzzled his head into my hand.Igave him a few scratches, but then he started spinning and clicking in a way that sounded very annoyed.
“Buddy,Idon’t know what you are trying to tell me.”Ididn’t think it was possible for spiders to roll their eyes, but eight pupils rolled around beforeSpinnertook off back into his nest.
Isighed and rose back up, wiping the tears away.ThenIheardSpinnerreturning.Inhis mandibles, he held something long and pointy.
Hedropped my sword in front of me.Ipulled it from its scabbard and pressed the mechanism that released it into two separate swords.WhenAbraxasfirst gifted them to me,Icould barely lift them with my left arm.Now, while a dull ache lingered—and likely always would—Ispun the off-hand weapon easily.I’dgrown stronger.
Spinnernodded his head at me vigorously.
“Cleverspider.”
OutsideJunandPallas’room,IfoundKaleosandRaulastanding guard.
“Iwould think you have better things to do than stand guard over our two guests.”
“So, the consorts of the fae, who we are currently fighting a war against, are our guests?”Kaleosasked.Hisface was contorted in a scowl, andIhated to see it.
Raula’sdeep voice chimed in, “Forgivehim.Hisloveris in there, and he’s nervous.”Shecracked a wicked grin, her long tusks making it almost menacing, asKaleosblushed a deep shade of crimson.
“He’snot my…”Buthe knew he wouldn’t get anywhere with us, so he just huffed and crossed his arms.
Ipatted his thick arm asIwalked past. “Don’tforget,Iwas once a guest here as well, andIturned out alright, didn’tI?”
Shameshot across his face, and he released his tense stance. “You’reright,I’m…” he started, butIgave his arm a squeeze to tell him he didn’t have to say more.
Ipushed open the doors to seeOryxfussing overJun.Fora momentIworried for my brother, but saw thatOryxwasn’t touching him, just respectfully directingJunto move and adjust his hair or clothes to the side as needed.Ishouldn’t have doubted.Oryxalways knew what to do.
Besides, withPallasstanding watch over them like a hawk,IknewIhad nothing to worry about.Shehad been given new clothes; they were simple and elegant, althoughIwouldn’t say modest.Butshe wore them with ease, the soft blue of the outer dress highlighting her eyes and soft skin.
Seeingher dressed like that reminded me of someoneIhad blocked from my thoughts.Now,Icouldn’t help but think ofCiara’sgentle hands as she helped me whenIfirst arrived here.
PerhapsIshould have felt rage at her memory, at her betrayal.AllIfelt was sadness.Myfirst friend.Ilost her toHadeonlong before her death.Hehad sunk his claws into her, just like he had toJun.Justas he had toPallas.Iwouldn’t let that happen again.
“Howis everything,Oryx?”
