A smile tried to grow on my lips; a laugh strained to emerge. All I felt were unrelenting tides of horror.
Brighid laid a hand on my arm. “Promise me you will not entertain anything further from that fae lord. I do not know what he wants, and that . . . that frightens me.”
The fae lord wielded power I did not understand, and he knew my heart like it was his own. When he glared down at me, face half shielded by a mask, the other set with a brilliant golden eye . . .
Warmth cascaded off him, like a Solheart’s.
And that frightened me, most of all.
Chapter 53
Diar
Agendra had whisked us from Nazumi in the thick of night, before news could spread of my attack on the commander’s manor.
Traveling hadn’t been easy with Ferris’ wound. He’d spent the ride slumped against my back, which I didn’t entirely mind.
I wasn’t sure why I didn’t mind anymore.
The Paragon of Terishal rode a towering black horse with an unusually shaped snout, long and thin. A Terishal breed, I supposed. He pushed us at a quick pace, guiding us back to the village of Paragon’s reach.
Ferris had done the math—we would never reach the wedding in time. Agendra had promised a solution could be found in Tur Isaevlair.
I didn’t have hopes for this gathering of nobles—everyone thus far had denied me. They would, too. Instead, I focused on the promise of seeing inside the Paragons’ ancient tower.
And being welcomed through its doors.
Or so I hoped.
Ferris wrapped his arms around my waist and laid his chin on my shoulder. “There she is,” he murmured.
The black tower pierced the cloudy heavens, rising far above the lake and fishing village. Silver water lapped against black sands, choppy beneath a growing storm. Holding my breath, I directed Arrow to follow Agendra to the shore.
Agendra dismounted and led his horse to the water. He motioned for me to do the same. Slipping off Arrow, I offered Ferris a hand down. He grimaced, hand pressed to his side.
“Getting into the tower is easy,” Agendra said. “But it only works for Paragons. Listen closely.” He turned toward the tower. “Cimnich, de ar vaile.”
The words were unfamiliar, from a language I did not know. I felt a thrum on my back, and the lake’s water rushed upward in a great geyser.
Ferris shielded his face with his arm as water sprayed over us. A bridge rose from the lake and settled into place against the island with a groan. Water poured off its surface and plunged back into the sea, like a waterfall.
“Watch your step,” Agendra warned, leading his horse up the bridge.
Grabbing Arrow’s reins, I stepped onto the bridge, expecting my foot to meet stone. The dull gray material beneath my foot was slippery, frigid. Ice?
Pausing, I reached for Ferris and pulled him to my side. “You’re going to fall and die,” I said.
“Not with you so lovingly holding me.” He batted his eyelashes at me.
Shrugging, I released him, and he slid backward. Grabbing onto my sleeve, he scowled at me.
Chuckling, I took his hand. I didn’t want the Stormborn prince to die.
Yet.
The bridge sloped up toward the island. Its every shore was sheer rock wall, plunging into the icy waters. Once we all stood safely in its bed of silver grass, the bridge shuddered and lowered back into the drink.
Ferris leaned forward, watching it sink. He winced, pressing a hand to his side.
