I half wondered why it mattered. She probably knew nothing about Tennebris, probably couldn’t even name the six villages that made up the kingdom, let alone know where the woods were, but I answered anyway. “There’s a forest in between Palm and Kitlarn—”
She interrupted me with a wide grin, her arms uncrossing. “I have a portal there. In Tennebris. In those very woods.”
I stilled, then shook my head, not believing I heard her right. “What?” I was trying to find my words. It was too good to be true. I half expected to have to teleport on my own, which would have taken days. I never imagined her actually having a portal inside Tennebris. “How?”
Rainer was idly standing next to her, taking everything in, and didn’t seem the least bit surprised by our conversation.
The girl shrugged. “Dove figured at some point we’d need an entry point into the Dark Kingdom. She snuck me in when we went to collect your wife—I mean ex-wife, sorry—” I tried to hold back my sneer at the comment because I knew it was fucking intentional.
She continued with a sly smirk on her lips. “Anyway, I pickedthe woods there because it was a central location and close to where the castle was if we ever needed to attack. Plus the area has plenty of coverage.”
“Fuck,” I breathed, and I wasn’t sure if I said the curse out loud. “Take me there.”
“Sure,” she agreed like we were discussing the weather instead of breaking into Tennebris.
“Really?” I asked, my eyes narrowing. I couldn’t help but wonder if she had an ulterior motive. Like she’d leave me there once she portaled me in. I honestly never imagined she’d say yes. I thought I’d have to beg and grovel—
“Four reasons,” she drawled as she took a step closer to me, and I realized that she was going to take me therenow. “First, I know those woods, and if what you’re saying is true, we can get her out without anyone noticing. They’re deserted, and the trip should be harmless enough. Second, I think it would be beneficial to have you owe me a favor. Third, I have a soft spot for rank zeroes. And fourth, I could use another girl friend around here. There’s entirely too much masculine energy.”
A thick smoke of purple and black swallowed us up, and we were gone before I could even answer.
FORTY-NINE
SIE
Greyland was stillunconscious when I came back to the healer’s tent with a delirious Lilia.
I need you here.I found Peter’s mind the moment I came back. A fly flew past my head before it transformed into my friend.
“What’s wrong? Is everything okay—” His voice stopped as soon as he saw Lilia standing beside the cot. She’d been staring down at Greyland like she saw a ghost from the moment I brought her in here.
“Lilia.” Peter pulled his sister into a hug, forcing her to look away from my brother.
She tensed before she realized it was Peter, then hugged him back just as tightly. She started sobbing the next second, and I think Peter might have been as well.
I always found it strange whenever I saw them together. Grey and I were close but from a distance. We grew up without love and affection, and if a family hug lasted more than two seconds, we were reprimanded.
But the Fervics were the complete opposite of the Norens.They were the warmest, most affectionate Advenians I’d ever encountered.
I wasn’t sure how long it was before the two of them pulled away again, both smiling, shaking, and sobbing. They were speaking to each other, but I didn’t give it any attention until Peter turned toward me.
“How did you get her?” he asked, wiping a tear away, before wrapping his arm around his sister.
Lilia was fine, minus dark circles under her eyes, she was unharmed. Somehow my brother managed to get her to the cabin before he got himself caught.
I looked down at Greyland. He wasn’t much better from when I first left him, and I still wasn’t sure if he was going to make it.
“I had Kallon portal me to Tennebris to get her.” I noticed Lilia staring down at my brother again.
Peter tugged his ear with his free hand.
What?I asked.
Why didn’t you get me?
I didn’t know the state she was going to be in,I admitted.All Greyland said was her name. I had no idea if he actually saved her.
Peter nodded, and I knew it was something we’d be discussing later.
