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“Stop. I don’t deserve your applause, not yet. I haven’t earned it. What we need is action, and I’m tired of waiting. I’ve done enough of that my entire life. Whoever wishes to accompany us on our mission, please gather and prepare. We leave at dawn for Tromodia. We will need one of you to help guide us so that we remain undetected by my father or his men.”

She leaped lightly off the log and marched past me to take Torvo’s hand as he gazed down at her with pride. My shoulders sank, my sword’s curved edge hitting the ground.

“Rivven,” she said, forcing me to look at her again. I hadn’t expected any more. “I will find a way to return her to you. Whatever you think of me, I love her. She was my only companion when I needed one. I know it must be frustrating for you. And…and I promise to give her full control when it’s her turn. I won’t force my way out or spy or anything when it’s her turn to use my body. We’ll agree on a specific amount of time for each of us, then trade back and forth until I can figure out how to recreate her body.”

Her pale face burned crimson in the firelight as she averted her eyes. I glanced up at Torvo, who surely had feelings about what she was saying. He simply nodded.

“We’ve discussed it,” she said, drawing my attention back to her. “Nyah deserves agency too. I won’t keep her prisoner like my father did me. I trust her.”

I didn’t think I’d ever been so dumbfounded as I was in that moment. She turned and walked away hand in hand with Torvo, leaving me in stunned silence.

Galan sidled up to me, letting loose a whistle that summed it all up.

“I’ll be joining you to help guide you on your quest,” Hymer announced, appearing at my other side.

I nodded, still unable to speak.

“What a woman,” he said, slapping me across the back. “It feels like maybe we really can overthrow the king.”

Twenty-Four

Nyah

“Damnit, Rune this is not a game.” I paced around in the dark, not caring about what fake environment I was in at the moment. What difference did it make?

“I know.” She appeared in front of me, making me stop short on my circuitous route. “I’m sorry.”

I sighed heavily as she metaphorically turned on the lights, bringing us to her room.

“I had a lot to think about,” she said, plopping down in front of the fire. “I didn’t want you to talk me out of it.”

“There are people out there depending on us. It’s not just about your feelings. Or mine.” I folded my arms and planted my feet. I didn’t feel like a talk on the rug at the moment. I wanted to know what was happening out there.

“I have a lot to tell you,” she said, patting the spot before her and using her big doe eyes on me. “And what I hope is good news.”

I remained standing.

“I promise from now on to plan together when to switch, so we are both okay with who is in control of this body.”

Releasing a breath, I dropped down onto the rug, as soft as ever, and leaned forward.

“Rune, I—” I snapped my mouth closed as I considered my next words carefully. The anger that had been flooding through me turned to background noise as I realized how hard it must be for her to allow someone else to control her body for any length of time, no matter who it was. I reached out and set a hand on her arm. Her sweet scent filled my nostrils as I leaned close, and memories flooded me. “I promise that when I am out there, I won’t disrespect your body in any way. I’ll do everything I can to protect you. Just like always.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, smiling at me when she leaned back. “I have so much to share. We leave at first light for Tromodia. But I want you to know that Torvo and I, well we…” she blushed fiercely, and my eyebrows shot up.

“Did you and Torvo…” I gestured generically. It was a bit weird thinking I was in here unaware while she was out there, doing who knew what.

“Not that. Not yet.” She burned harder, brighter than I’d ever seen. “We’re betrothed. For real.”

“Congratulations,” I said. She grinned, so happy she glowed.

Then she blushed again as she rocked a little in place. “But…since you brought it up, the truth is, I’m nervous about when the time comes. How do you know what to do?”

Was I really having this conversation? With all that was happening?

“Just do what you feel. I don’t think anything is…wrong.”

She nodded, tapping her chin as she thought. “Thanks, Nye.”