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I climb out of the hole and sit down, looking out at the night sky, as Daimis climbs the last bit, finishing his story—our story.
“Only we didn’t know there were really two trolls. They managed to trap us in the center of the bridge. But instead of giving up, I wrapped my hand around the ropes, grabbed Sahra, and after she nodded to me, I sliced my blade clean through the bridge, clinging onto the ropes and my best friend. Both trolls toppled into the cold water below. They then broke out into full laughter. The trolls were so impressed with our cunning and bravery that they agreed to give us one treasure from the chest. Said it was a fair trade for the tarts anyway. I let Sahra have her pick from the treasure, of course.” Daimis climbs out and sits down looking at the stars with me. “It was her quick thinking that got us out of the trolls’ cauldron. But truth be told, I would’ve let her choose anyway. I’d have done just about anything for her.”
The troll’s treasure had jewels as big as a dove’s egg, tiaras dripping in diamonds, and solid gold bracelets. But I’d picked a simple jade ring for one reason alone, it looked just like Daimis’s eyes. My hand instinctively moves to my secret pocket where the ring is safely nestled.
He turns to me when I stay silent. “Is that a tear I see? I thought we made progress when I didn’t hear you hyperventilating.”
I wipe the traitorous tear away and smile at him. “We did. I guess some hurts are just a little too deep for only one session.” The truth is, I didn’t suffer from claustrophobia this time, thanks to Daimis. My hurt is in losing him all those years ago. In having him right here but not being able to let him know it’s me. Life can be cruel. “Thank you,” I add.
He shrugs. “What are friends for?”
My gaze snaps to him. “Is that what we are?”
“Honestly, I don’t think we have a choice.” He starts ticking things off on his fingers. “We skinny-dipped together,” he scrunches his brows. “Together-ish, fought demon-like creatures together—that right there is a level of commitment that you can’t deny,”
I chuckle.
He lifts another finger. “And most importantly, we are on a mission to stop evil.”
I nod. “Very compelling reasons. And what if I don’t fully trust you?”
“I don’t fully trust you either.” He gives me a sly grin. “Doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”
I can’t help but smile at him. “Perhaps.” I move to the edge of the cliff and begin the climb down.
We’re silent the entire way back, and luckily don’t run into the guards again.
When we’re safely in front of the door to my rooms I turn to him. “The Regent will know we were down there when he finds his guard-creatures and Baxon dead.”
“He’ll know someone was there. But he’ll have no reason to suspect us.”
Daimis opens my door and walks in.
“By all means. Come on in,” I say and shut the door behind me.
He ignores me and goes straight to the massive armoire. He opens it, moves the clothes Mrs. Dower had set in it for me, and slides the back of the wood open. A secret room? He disappears into it. My jaw drops open. I quickly recover from my shock and follow him into the small space. It’s about the size of a closet, with nothing but a plush rug underfoot and a small table with a lamp. An identical hidden door is across the way, leading to Daimis’s room.
“We’ll keep the book hidden in here.”
I nod. “Who else knows of this?”
“We’re the only two people alive who do. It’s a guarded secret passed down from king to prince, and king to queen.”
Understanding dawns on me. The two rooms are the King and Queen’s suites, and the hidden doors are so they can easily go to one another. Heat flushes my face. “Oh,” I mumble, feeling like I’m imposing on something private. I shift my gaze from Daimis’s.
“I’m sorry, Sky,” he says, and I look back at him. “For Baxon.”
The pain of not being able to save him, of having to kill him to end his suffering, is sharp and hot in my heart. “Thank you,” I say. Daimis’s brows crease. “For helping me. . .” my voice cracks and I can’t finish the sentence.
“Tell me about him,” Daimis says. “How did you know him?”
I swallow back the lump in my throat. “We met last year when I was traveling through Sands Passing. When I realized that he was a sorcerer, we shared a fire and a meal. He had an easy demeanor. His laugh was atrocious,” I say with a chuckle. “It was so loud, and obnoxious, and infectious.” Daimis smiles and I continue. “We stayed up for hours talking about our experiences being on the run from the Steel Guard. His parents were murdered the night of the Blood Moon, leaving him to live on the streets, trying to survive in a place that hated him.” The difference was Desmira found me, while Baxon was still running, with nowhere to call home, nowhere that he could rest without looking over his shoulder.
I wanted to bring him back to Hydenglen. But I knew the others there wouldn’t like it, which is really an understatement. One of the only rules about Hydenglen is that it stays a secret from the outside world. It’s a matter of safety, of course. I feared that if I showed up with another sorcerer when they barely tolerated me, they would decide to kick me out for betraying our secret home. Later that night, Baxon and I shared a bedroll. And as I usually do, I chose my own survival. I left the next morning before he woke.
I drop my gaze and stare at my hands wringing through my skirt. “I could’ve helped him land in a safe place. But instead, I abandoned him to find his own survival. Instead, he ended up here. Because of my selfishness, he was caught and tortured.”
Daimis places a hand over my twisting ones and with his free hand, he lifts my chin so that I’m gazing into his green eyes through my blurry vision. “What happened to Baxon was not your fault. The Regent is the only one to blame.” He wipes a tear that had fallen from my cheek with his thumb and his hand lingers on my face, lending me warmth, and strength. “Focusing on what-ifs helps no one and leads down a dark path. Believe me, I mastered that game years ago. Instead, focus on the fact that you’re helping now. And I vow to you that once I am in power, Iwillchange Thaaryn for the better for magic users. I will continue what my father started and create peace with the magic-using races.” He squeezes my hands, which I’d curled around his fingers.
