Page 184 of The Crown’s Temptation

"Then we do not have long,” I said.

She nodded.

"Help me get there first," I said.

She looked at me for a long time. Then she said, "I cannot. Entering the Vaultline takes an enormous amount of power and strength that I do not have. In fact, you do not have it either because during the day you are depleted."

I briefly wondered how she knew that so confidently, but thought better of asking.

"You are always asleep during the daylight hours," she added, as though she knew exactly what I was going to question.

"What has she done with Teorin?" I asked, feigning confusion.

Maridale furrowed her brow. “Teorin? Nothing significant or I would likely know about it.” She paused. “Why? Do you think he is ….” “Dead?” I asked calmly.

“No, he is not dead.”

The look she gave me was neither confused nor surprised, and the feeling I sensed was strange so I pushed it away.

“Thank you,” I said calmly.

And I turned and walked away.

I left Maridale's room with my mind made up.

Not about the Vault, exactly. But about something else that had been forming since Eravic told me about the wards. Since Teorin sat with a fever and said there is no Ashen in Thrykis. Since I pressed my hand to his forehead and felt how hot he was and understood that whatever Dali had been doing it was costing him something real.

I knocked on his door.

He answered quickly. Still pale. Still tired around the eyes. But present.

"I need to talk to you," I said.

He stepped back and let me in.

I sat. He sat across from me. The room was quiet.

"The bond," I said. "I want to do it."

He stared at me.

"You understand what that means," he said carefully. "You would be tied to me. Permanently. Whatever happens after⁠—"

"I know what it means."

"Asharin—"

"The wards are getting looser," I said. "Dali wants the amulet and if she gets it before we seal the wards—" I stopped. "We both know what happens after that.”

He was very still.

“We do not have long,” I said. “Days, not weeks. Can we leave Morrath soon?”

He looked at me for a long time. "Yes," he said finally.

"Then we will." I stood. "But first I need to make arrangements.”

He nodded slowly.