Ipeered through the gap in the tent and sawOryxlay his hand gently onJun’s. “Haveyou talked withher about it?”
“Ifeel like now may not be the best time.Wemight end up just fighting over it like you andKaleos.”
Oryxwaved his hands. “Yeah,Imean, it was really upsetting what he said, but now we understand each other a bit better.Wehave to work on his protectiveness, but at least now we are starting from a place of honesty.Maybethis curse really was a blessing in disguise?”Helaughed. “I’vereally already forgiven him.”
Junchuckled, too. “Thenwhy are you here talking to me and not him?”
Oryxtwitched his soft, pointed ears. “Hecan’t stand the silent treatment, and he still needs to grovel a bit more for what he said.”Theyboth laughed amicably, andIcleared my throat.
“Comeon in,Pallas.”Junturned to me with his soft smile.
Oryxrose off the cot. “Guessit’s time for me to go and end his suffering.”
Isat down. “Youtwo seem to be getting close.”
“He’seasy to talk to.”
“Asyou predicted, your sister has come up with the reckless idea that she’s going to head into theTorrsolo.”
Jun’sface tightened. “When?”
“Tomorrowmorning.”
“I’mgoing with her.”Hisresponse was so fast and coldIthoughtImisheard him.Hismouth was set into a grim line, andIknew thatIhad not.
“Youcan’t do that.It’stoo dangerous!”
“Wouldyou keep me caged, too,Pallas?”
“Jun,Idon’t understand.”
“EversinceKoron, you andToriboth; you’ve doted on me likeI’ma youngling.Aweakling who needs protecting.Buthave you ever considered thatIdon’t want that?ThatIjust might be able to take care of myself?”Hiswords were soft, they always were, but they were laced witha venomI’venever heard before.
“I’msorry.Inever meant to make you feel that way.Ilove you.Ican’t bear the thought of you hurt.”
“Iknow, but that’s not your choice to make.”
Ilooked at him and sworeIcould see those shadowsTorihad talked about swirling in his eyes.Howmany years hadIlonged for a choice in my own life, no matter what the consequences were?Iunderstood his need completely.Andhe was strong, not just in magic, but in his heart.Thatis whyIloved him so.
“I’msorry,Jun.WhatcanIdo?”
Isaw those shadows fall back, just a little. “Youhave to let me go,Pallas.”
Ilinked our pinkies together. “Betterthan that,I’lllet you fly.”
Chapter 52
Tori
Ithought it might be difficult to find sleep, my mind swirling over what little we knew about theTorr.Butsleep found me, like a spectral hand pulled me under into that familiar darkness.Idrifted in the space between thought and nothingness until a harsh voice sounded in my ear.
“Hello, thief.”QueenSorayaswirled around me, unformed, butIfelt the chill of cold fingers sliding around my neck.Iwondered ifIwould ever get a good night’s rest again.
“Hello,YourMajesty.Ithought that the spiders might have finished you off.”
Shehissed a laugh, and it sounded like the thick ice over a cracking lake. “Youcannot kill what is already dead, child.”
“Andyet you linger here?”
