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“She’s sure enough to kidnap you and suffer the consequences,” Gerarda interrupted, still refusing to take her eyes off Riven.
I thought Vrail would contradict Gerarda, let the others know the kidnapping had been left out of whatever version the Dagger had told her, but instead she gave the group one decisive nod. She pointed to the small bridge that led over the crevice in the tall cliff. A thin path trailed up the split mountain to a flat meadow at the top. “It’s there.”
Riven’s eyes narrowed. “That doesn’t answer Keera’s question.”
My heart tightened but Riven didn’t look at me. His gaze was focused on ensuring his shadows didn’t tug too tightly around Gerarda’s throat.
Vrail took a deep breath before tumbling into her rapid explanation. “We know the point of origin for the original spell that created the siphons and their seals. The locations would spread out from there.”
“And they couldn’t be connected to the mainland,” Gerarda interjected as she leaned back against a slithering shadow.
“Yes.” Vrail nodded. “The likely locations were easy enough, there were only five possible places and I doubted the Light Fae would put two seals in one place. If you take the shortest line between the point of origin—the Ruins of Faevra—and the split half of the Cliffs of Elandorr, I can assume that the seal will fall along the eastern side.”
“Water takes the easiest path,” Nikolai whispered, staring at Vrail in proud awe.
She smirked. “And so does magic. If my estimate is correct, then it will confirm the location of all the seals.”
Riven lowered his hand but his shadows were still wrapped around Gerarda. “And you thought it best to kidnap Keera instead of bringing the matter to us?”
Vrail’s gaze was suddenly locked on her boot. “This … experiment solves all our problems. We can ascertain if my theory is correct without risking an attack from Damien or endangering the Shades. And Gerarda was sure you’d both say no.”
I gritted my teeth, unable to disagree with that assessment.
Riven’s violet eyes shifted to me for the merest second, softening with concern before returning to Gerarda. Every one of his muscles was flexed, holding his power in that thin, middle place between exerting his gift and maiming her.
“If Keera is the one who must do it, then she is the one who decides.” Riven stood tall and his shoulders relaxed for the first time since he’d arrived. The shadows uncurled themselves from Gerarda’s limbs and neck and dissipated back into the inky blackness underneath our feet.
She rubbed her wrist and gestured at the blanket of shadow that still covered the horizon. “I’d ease up on those too, Gloomy, or Damien’s armada will find us before we can ascertain shit.”
Nikolai let out a laugh, quickly covering it with a cough. Riven’s lips did not twitch, but a single shadow coiled up Nikolai’s torso and tugged on his hair hard enough to jerk his head. Nikolai swatted the tendril of darkness away. “Uncalled for.”
Riven ignored him; he only had eyes for me. His violet irises brightened as the shadows faded and the skies once again filled with sunlight. For the first time in weeks, Riven looked hopeful. More than that, he had hopeforme. I shifted in my boots but was unable to look away from him. Too many things had been outside of the tight grip I kept on them, too many things had gone wrong. But this, this I could do. Even though I didn’t believe it would work, Riven did. And I could give him that.
I turned to face the towering cliff with my decision made. “Vrail, lead the way.”
CHAPTERTEN
RIVEN RODE BESIDE MEas we climbed the steep mountainside of days long passed. I didn’t speak because I didn’t know what to say to him. He didn’t speak either, once again letting me set the course between us.
Riven slowed his horse so we followed the others, riding just out of earshot from even Syrra’s sharp hearing.
Riven’s gaze dropped to the ground. The muscles in his neck flexed, as if trying to hold the words back before he spoke.
He grabbed a small parcel from his saddlebag, tossing it to me. I caught the leaf-bound packet with one hand and waited for Riven to explain but he only nodded for me to open it.
I unraveled the wrapping as best I could on horseback and found a leather box holding five vials. Four of them were soft pastel shades of liquids I didn’t recognize, but the middle one was black and inky. Just like thewinvraelixir Hildegard had given me to ease my pain.
I traced a gentle finger along the edge of the glass and turned to Riven. “I don’t know what the others are for.”
Riven relaxed into his saddle. Guilt pricked my heart. I had given him every reason to expect another fight. “They’re other medicinal aids. The yellow can help with headaches and the blue will help spark your appetite again. The lavender is made from dew root and it can stop even the worst bouts of nausea.”
I swallowed and looked back at him. No words climbed up my throat because there was nothing to say.
“I’m not here to judge you, Keera. And I haveneverthought you weak, even now. But your healing gift only goes so far. TheFaelinthhas many ways to help you, I just wanted you to know.” One of Riven’s shadows appeared from under his cloak and hung in the air between our horses. It circled once around my wrist before caressing the back of my palm.
It took a few moments before I trusted my voice enough to speak. “Thank you. That is very kind.”
Riven smiled; it was still tight but there was a warmth to it too. “Whatever you need,diizra. Though you should know it was Syrra who put the package together.”
