“Thank you.”
The camp quietens. There’s a lot to think about, and we all set about turning in for the night.
Despite being sore from riding, weary from travel, and lying with Ten’s arms around me, sleep is still an elusive friend.
My mind will not rest, pulling at all the questions and problems presented by our campfire talk.
Ten will put himself between me and danger, whatever the cost. I know that. I’ve lived it and seen it, and I love him for it. But the growing fear on the horizon, of whether my power will return, and even then, what it can do, all threaten the world where a girl and a boy can enjoy just being themselves.
No complications.
No threats.
It makes me long for what might happen beyond this fight.
If we can stop the Usher and Fenix, if we can save Aslendrix and her magic, could we leave Kirrasia to pick up their own pieces of a potentially corrupt way of life? But then what? Will Ten want to stay? Will they allow me, a Fifth, to stay?
Will we finally be able to be just us?
I snuggle in closer to his warmth and try to forget those questions.
thirty-five
. . .
Ever
“We all know the plan?”
“Ever, we’re good. We’ve been over it. We all have our roles.” Calix looks at me, his eyes are kind, but the raise of his brows tells me he’s done with this conversation.
“Yes, but…” I don’t finish. But what—we turn around because now we’re here, I’m terrified it won’t work, and we’ll all be thrown in a cell?
The plan had been the main source of conversation after the first night of camp. After clearing the wooded areas and entering The Jade, we picked up the pace, putting much-needed distance between Estereah and us. Stops were short, and we didn’t camp overnight again, only stealing time to rest the horses and catch a few hours of sleep.
I recounted, in as much detail as I could, the path that Fenix used when he took me out of The Court. The passageways and streets that ended with the boulder leading to the outside. Calixpaid particular attention, in case we needed it. But that wasn’t our source of entry. At least it wasn’t the first plan.
That still involved simply crossing the barrier and hoping that the son of the Warrior General would be enough for us to get passage to The Court. With Calix and Crimson being missing for so long, and my apparent desertion, we had high hopes, especially with others in tow. There was still a part of me that was less sure, one that twisted my gut, and knowing I couldn’t leave this to chance, I had to consider something else. I hadn’t said anything because I didn’t want this to be debated amongst everyone, but I was torn. Wishing for my magic back would bring me power, but would be at a heavy personal sacrifice. However, now wasn’t a time to be selfish, and perhaps we were due something going in our favour: Invisibility.
It was one of the gifts we’d explored in training. My touch added to Micah and Capella turned the three of us invisible.
I called on my previous powers, and they answered, as if they were stored, waiting in that place at the centre of my chest.
It might be depleted and drained, but it’s still there. I still have magic, and I can’t deny that now. It’s fluctuating, creeping out, as if it’s new and wants to be used, recognising how close we are to Kirrasia, perhaps. I can’t feel it the same as I did before. That body of water isn’t waiting to be commanded. The link to Aslendrix isn’t there in the same way, but something powerful stirs.
Crossing the border might help, but it isn’t a guarantee, and so my own doubt causes me to keep this part of the plan to myself, breaking my own rule of no secrets. The gamble with the crossing and my questionable magic are too many variables to rely on. If this works, then we don’t need to worry, but if it doesn’t, we’ll be in the hands of the Warriors on patrol, and we’ll rely on family.
Finally, my magic has a practical purpose, far away from death, and invisibility will allow me to walk Kyra right up to the Tower and find the Maker before anyone knows.
“Okay. Ready?” Calix checks with us all, and Ten’s hand squeezes around mine. He tugs, and I turn to him.
“I just…”
Before he says anything more, he grabs my face, his hands holding me with a surety that melts me as he kisses me. His lips collide with mine, the hunger only just at bay. His whole body is taut, and I can almost hear the words inside his head. Almost.
He lets me go, and I steal a breath to steady myself.
“Just in case.” He plants another kiss to my forehead.
