Page 83 of The Other Side of the Mirror

Rivan looked bemused. “When we find a way in to Morehaven, it won’t be one that’ll be useful for a full-scale assault. And if they see us coming, we’ll never get down to their dungeon. So, what’s the plan?”

I glanced at Bash, who was already watching me. We had discussed our options this morning as his fingers traced battle plans along my skin. He lowered his chin in a nod of encouragement.

“It’s a little reckless…”

“Good,” Yael cut in. “All the best ones are.”

I couldn’t help my grin. “Wego. Just us. A small enough group that we can avoid exposure, using Bash’s shadows and my darkness to shield us. Between what we learn from the ranger’s surveillance and what I know about the layout of the castle, we should be able to get to him undetected.”

Yael pursed her lips. “No backup if things go wrong?”

I shook my head. “The more people we involve, the greater the chance we have at being spotted before we even get in.”

She nodded, though her expression remained troubled.

“Then we either get out the way we came, or go back through the mirror…” There was a flash of memory, the sound of my pounding footsteps as I made a mad dash across a white marble hall…

Swallowing, I willed it away. “It may not be foolproof, but I think it’s our best bet.”

I paused, waiting for an objection, but they all simply waited for me to continue. Warmth flooded my chest at their trust in me.

“But besides the obvious reasons why we need to save him, I think Tobias knows something.” I pressed my lips together as I remembered him struggling against his own words. As if each one cost him. “Something he couldn’t tell me with that mask blocking more than just his face, something he knows that made them do that to him in the first place. Something that I hope can help us stop Aviel.”

Yael grinned, a ribbon of air flitting around her excitedly. “Of course we’re in, whether or not he has the answers. As if we were going to let anyone else do the fun part.”

There was a strange look on Rivan’s face, and he stepped away as if to hide it, pouring himself a glass of amber liquor. I walked up next to him, and he poured a second glass for me.

Taking it, I asked, “You okay?”

“Good enough to storm a castle.”

I choked out a short laugh. “Glad to hear it.”

His face was unusually serious, those lavender eyes spearing into me. “Butyoudon’t have to be the one to go back there. Not after what happened to you. Not when he’ll be expecting you to take the risk.”

I was already shaking my head. Rivan gave me a sad smile, as if already knowing what my answer would be. I didn’t miss the flicker of disappointment from Bash across our bond.

“Worth a shot,” Yael murmured.

Marin looked stricken. “But if something goes wrong…you just got out, and we’d be bringing you right back to him.”

I took a deep breath. “I appreciate you all looking out for me. But even if I weren’t the best person for the job after the time I spent getting to know my way around, there’s no way I’m being left behind while you go save my brother without me. Even if it means going back there.”

Back to Morehaven. To the dungeon they had chained me in, even if we stayed far from that bedroom, and the prince who now haunted me more than his father. I couldn’t entirely suppress my shudder.

Marin grimaced. “And if they’re expecting us? Surely Aviel must suspect you won’t be content with leaving your brother imprisoned.”

“It’s a risk we’ll have to take,” Rivan said grimly. “Especially if Eva’s right about what Tobias knows. But even if we assume they’re expecting us, it’s one we can mitigate with timing and preparation.” His brow furrowed. “Besides, our people haven’t noticed an increase in guards around the dungeon. Nor any sign they’ve moved him. Once we have the schedule of their guard movements, and an unobtrusive way in…”

“Then we go—in and out—with no trace of us being there until they realize he’s gone,” Bash said, coming up next to me. His shadows tangled between my fingers before he took my hand. “But Aviel’s time will come soon.”

Vengeance danced between us as the rest of them turned to me. And I knew I would die for them, just as they would for me, as I took them in, my friends—this family I had found on the other side of the mirror.

“So first, we’re going to save my brother…” My lips curved up in a smile at the insane reality of my next words. “And then we’re going to save the world.”

Chapter33

Bash

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