Page 139 of The Keeper of the Kingdoms

“There is a huge storm coming over the mountains. I got word before I met you two at the tavern. As soon as it hits, we need to go. It’s the best cover we could have asked for.”

“You think less time is better?” Drys turned to me.

“Faolan knows better than me. I’m the distraction.” I lifted my shoulders.

“I think we are ready. More time only gives us room to second guess ourselves.”

“If there are second guesses, maybe we aren’t ready.” Drystan said in a tone I couldn’t place. Almost like there was friction between them.

It had to be nerves.

They’d always gotten along and been in the vicinity of one another after my longstanding relationship with Emrys.

Emrys seemed the least bothered of all of them. Even less so than Faolan.

I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Kiera knocked and came back in, handing me a small glass. “It will help clear the rest of the alcohol from your blood.”

I downed the drink and then coughed, eyes burning, feeling like my tongue was on fire. “What wickedness is that?!”

“Something I showed her.” Emrys held out stones on strings. “These will help us keep on the same time. They are set to touch. Squeeze it, and it will grow warm for all of us, tap it, and the rest will feel it. And last, and only if you are in dire peril, smash it on the ground. It will echo out your location to the rest of us so we can come. The last should not be used lightly. It will let everyone know where you are.”

“Understood,” I said as I accepted the stone and put the thin rope around my neck. “You all have your tasks. Are we ready?” I looked at Faolan.

“We have half a candle mark until the storm breaks. As soon as the sky opens up, we go. I’ll tap the stone three times.” Faolan left first, followed by Emrys.

Drystan lingered but didn’t speak.

“Say it,” I said at length.

“We don’t feel ready. I’m worried he’s taking unnecessary risks.” It was clear who Drystan meant.

“We have to trust each other. He’s done things like this before. I believe he knows best.” I put my hand on my brother’s shoulder. “I love you. I wouldn’t lead you into unnecessary risk.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me in. We embraced, and he left.

Kiera toed the ground when we were alone.

“Come here.” I wrapped her up in a hug. “I’ll be fine.”

“Promise me.” She cupped my face.

“I promise you.”

FIFTY-FOUR

KIERA

“You were made for this. You blend in better than I could ever imagine.” Faolan grinned when I met him in the stores.

I smoothed my hands over the worn in healer’s robes. I didn’t know where Faolan acquired them, and I hadn’t bothered to ask. We’d decided early on it was best for me to know as little as possible, so if questioned, I could genuinely deny it. We didn’t want to run into a situation where they tried to magically interrogate us.

It’s why Jaxus and I played the parts we did.

“Which way does the map say to go?”

He passed it to me. “To the left and just follow it. My father will meet you at the far passage. You just need to get the keys so you can let them out without setting offany alarms.”

“I got it.” I exhaled, memorizing the map before I crumpled it in my hand. If I were caught, I’d swallow it.

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