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“They found you both outside the wall last night. It’s nearly mid-day now. Your body...” Sylvia choked on a sob. “You were in such bad shape,” she continued through her tears. “They didn’t think you would make it.”
Tempest lifted her hand to wipe a tear from Sylvia’s cheek.
“I’m all right. My goddess is watching over me. See, I'm nearly healed.” The image of Sylvia’s lifeless body in her lap popped into her mind, and her eyes darted to the bite marks on her neck. “How areyoufeeling?”
Sylvia's hand flew to cover the wound. “I feel… a-alive. A bit strange. I know I was dead. I saw the gates of Toph, but a voice called me away from them.”
Tempest smiled. “You were protected by your god, as well.”
“It appears so.”
The two sat in companionable silence for a few minutes before Tempest pushed herself onto her elbows and up to a sitting position.
“Do you know where they have the emperor?”
“He is in his room. No one is allowed to enter.”
“I understand. I just need to check on him before I can rest and finish healing.”
“How?”
“Do you know any passages that will get me close to him without being seen?”
Sylvia raised a brow. “What, exactly, is going on between you and the emperor?”
Tempest’s cheeks heated as she avoided Sylvia’s eyes. She wasn’t used to the sensation. “Nothing.”
“Uh-huh. Not buying it.”
“If you help me get to him, I’ll tell you what I can.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Chapter 15
AftermakingTempestdrinksome broth and sneaking her out of the healing wing, Sylvia led her to a large mirror in Tempest’s room. She swung it open to reveal a tunnel behind it.
“You’re sure you can’t glow on command?” Tempest teased in an attempt to lighten the mood. It was disconcerting that there was a hidden way into her room. Sylvia was fidgeting anxiously with her fingers as she stared at the entrance.
“Nope,” Sylvia replied with a quick shake of her head.
“You don't have to come with me if you don’t want to.”
“Really?”
Looking into the dark tunnel, Tempest could see how someone would hesitate to enter it. No lights lit the sides, and from the looks of the cobwebs and dust, it wasn’t used often.
“It’s fine. I can go alone. We’re less likely to get caught if you don’t go with me anyways. Just tell me how to get there.”
Sylvia’s fists clenched before relaxing. “We are very near his rooms. It seems the emperor who had this wing built wanted the contestants close. Take the first two rights, and it will bring you directly to his room.”
“That’s it?”
Sylvia nodded, then shook her head. “But you can’t take any candles or light in with you. It could be seen at some of the exits you pass and give you away. You’ll be in the dark."
“Understood. I can do that. Sylvia?”
