Page 125 of The Throne's Undoing

When the screams had finally stopped and he could finally peel his fingers, raw and bloodied, from the bark, Kalisandre had said nothing as she guided him to sit on the ground.

He'd expected her to leave then, but she hadn't.

Graeson didn't want to think about what that may or may not have meant, for he couldn't afford to when his hands still trembled slightly. Graeson was merely glad he hadn't hurt her. Even though he knew that the god had never tried to harm Kalisandre in the past, he still did not trust himself.

"Graeson?" Kalisandre called, bringing his attention back to her.

"We should go back. I should wash up," he said softly, flexing his fingers, the dried blood cracking from the movement.

Nodding, she stood and held out a hand.

Hesitantly, he took it, and the instant his hand wrapped around hers, a small flame spiraled up his arm.

Standing inches apart, he could feel the warmth of her breath against his chest. He spotted the faint freckles adorning the bridge of her nose from the sun's kiss. Her cheeks were no longer hollow like they were in Frenzia. He could see that life was slowly returning back to her.

There was so much he wanted to say to her. So many things heshouldsay to her. Yet he was unable to speak.

A soft breeze tousled her hair. He lifted his hand and curled her hair behind her ear. His lips parted, but Kalisandre cleared her throat.

She delicately swiped the hair behind her ear, turning. "Come on," she said as she turned and tugged him behind her.

However, when Graeson registered the direction they were going, his heels dug into the ground. "The castle is that way," he stated.

She looked over her shoulder with a coy smile. "I know."

"Then where are we going?"

"Some place Medenia told me about," Kalisandre said. The left corner of her lip turned upward, forming a half smile that almost met her eyes. "The last thing you need is to be around everyone else."

They strolled through the woods,their pace leisurely as if they had all the time in the world. Notes of sulfur grew stronger with every step. But the farther they walked, the more Graeson was unsure of where they were going. When he tried to ask Kalisandre for more details, she ignored his questions.

Then, as he held a batch of low branches out of Kalisandre's way when they hiked a steep hill, she glanced over her shoulder and nodded. "It's just past these trees," she explained.

Kallie waved him forward, and when the trees parted, he looked out and inhaled.

Massive evergreens encompassed three large craters, each the size of three porcelain tubs, which overlapped one another. A narrow river flowed through the hollow cavities in the earth, filling them to the brim and creating a constant flow of water.

"Medenia brought you here?" Graeson asked in wonder.

"During that first week, Medenia had tried her best to make me feel welcome and safe. She kept me company and forced me outside. While the fresh air helped, I still felt...trapped," shesaid, making a face. "I think Medenia noticed how lost I felt, so one day, she took me out here instead of the gardens. I haven't been back since, but..."

Kalisandre scratched the back of her neck and peered at him from the corner of her eye. With a soft, nervous chuckle, she shrugged.

"I almost thought I had gotten us lost for a moment, but I found my way in the end," she remarked.

"You did," he said as he watched her tilt her head toward the sun.

Then, Kalisandre headed for one of the craters. Stepping on the heel of her shoe with one foot, she slipped off one shoe, then the other, her bare feet on the ground. Dipping her toes into the water, she released a heavy sigh.

"I find the water and the trees relaxing. It...well, it reminds me of..." Her words trailed off as she stared at the scenery before them, biting her lip.

"The Whispering Springs?" Graeson supplied.

Kalisandre nodded. "When I was knocked out, I often found myself back there. Initially, I thought it strange, but then I began to yearn for its familiarity as if a part of me belonged there. I don't know if I've ever felt like that before."

"Not even in Ardentol?" Graeson asked, raising a curious brow.

"Ardentol was alwayshiskingdom, his people, his plans. While I do care deeply for the kingdom and want to see the people happy, it has never beenmine." She stared at the water.

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