Page 68

Edan snapped again.

“No,” Rada croaked. “Don’t kill… the boy.”

With her head lowered, she couldn’t see Edan’s sly smile. “Why should I not? I need power. You are not willing to share yours with me.”

She struggled against him, though her movements were sluggish. He put her down, making sure she had her balance before he stepped back. Her head lifted just enough to take in Tally and the guards by the lava, then swung to the far side. I understood how her mind worked. She was memorizing every small detail, pulling together every weapon she had close enough to reach.

I knew she’d see me soon enough, but I let my hand rise slightly, two fingers tucked into my exposed fist in our sign. I’m here.

Her own hand, weak at her side, flickered in a few quick movements. Take child. Escape. She didn’t react, but turned to face Edan. “Let him go. Let him go, and I’ll… consider your proposal.” Take.

I shifted my fist slightly. No.

Her head swung back, her eyes flashing, her hand movement clear. Yes.

For some reason, Edan lost his grip on her, and he shifted. I was certain no one else saw what I did, but her shoulder had dropped. The sheet over her stomach had a new fold, and the rope loop that had held Rada’s dagger at his waist was empty.

Edan hadn’t even noticed. Goddess, she was truly an excellent thief.

He scoffed. “Claim me, and I’ll let him go.”

The cavern, which had seemed quiet, became noisy as my heart pounded louder than the bubbling lava, louder than the whistling breathing of the noseless Alphas. Far louder than the quiet sobbing of the boy as Tally was dragged forward.

I didn’t see a way I could save him, not without endangering both him and Rada. I didn’t care about myself. I’d already assumed I wouldn’t be walking out of the Alldyns Vug once I entered it.

But from Rada’s frantic glances around her, I could tell she hadn’t come up with a plan she liked. Her lips moved silently, in prayer I thought, before she went completely still.

It was the boy’s soft cries that made up her mind. Her eyes met his, and she murmured, “Remember your promise, Tally?”

The sobbing stopped. So did my breathing. He nodded.

“Good. Remember mine? What was it?”

“None of the children… None of the children would get hurt.”

“I honor all my vows,” she said with an almost cheeky grin. She turned her gaze to Edan. “Do you promise to let the boy go? If I mark you.”

“Mark me?” His eyes narrowed.

“In the same way I marked my Warlord, my selkie, and your brother, Skadi.”

He hissed. “You marked him?”

She sighed. “Only a little bit.”

My mind buzzed. Had she claimed Skadi when she went with Lusca to save him? Or done something else?

“Yes. Mark me in the way you marked them, and the boy can be your courting gift,” he replied.

Rada reached for his neck just as I stepped forward. I could not watch this, could not bear it. This wasn’t a plan. This wasn’t anything but a disaster.

I opened my mouth to shout, but stopped. Goran hadn’t trusted her, and it had led to him losing her for a decade. I trusted Rada more than I trusted the Goddess.

Delicate silver bells rang in my mind, Her laughter. She must choose him. You must make certain she does.

I still hated it. But I didn’t allow myself to react when Edan brushed the hair back from Rada’s face, and sparks flew from his hands, scorching the sheet.

She didn’t seem bothered by it. If anything, her skin grew more flushed, and her scent wafted over us all.