Page 88 of Shadow's Heart

Enti shrugged. “Steal his sorcery, then leave him behind in the dust.”

“Will the sword you gave me remain?” Mina had decided not to request anything else, figuring another weapon would just get in the way. Besides, maybe fate would smile on a lone Dacian with a sword taking on a horde. What an epic battle it would be!

“It will remain anywhere in Nightside. I’ll make sure of it, as long as I have power.” Holding her gaze, Enti said, “I don’t wish you ill, princess. I very much hope you succeed.”

Mina still sensed deception in the sorceress, but she believed those words. “Thank you,” she said, puzzling over the woman. Enti had tried to trick her.Yet I still like her.

Adham had tried to trick Mina.Yet I might . . . love him.

“I still can’t believe you played the player. I’m glad you spent this time with him with open eyes. In thousands of years, he’snever formed a bond with a lover. Not once. He gazed at others in perplexity over their attachments.”

The mystery.He’d craved the answers. This only made Mina want him more! She ached to imagine how lonely his existence must have been all these years.ButI can’t force him to want me as desperately as I want him. I can’t force him to leave.

“When the hottest fires fade, one can hope for ever-molten gold,” Enti said. “But you are logical. I’m sure you’vededucedthat isn’t possible with Silt.” The sorceress turned to go, saying over her shoulder, “Good luck, Kosmina Daciano, and gods-speed. I do hope we meet again someday. . . .”

Forty-One

“What the hell are you doing?” Silt had entered Kosmina’s room to find her on the balcony, dressed for travel.

Over her tunic and pants, she wore a coat, her sword belted around her waist. When she turned to him, he nearly flinched to see her eyes. Over the night, they’d turned completely red.

“I was waiting for you to return.”

“Listen, I’ve thought about things, and I’m convinced you must drink straight from my flesh. We’ve both dreamed about that because it might be a cure.”

“I don’t believe it will work, and I don’t have a few days to wait and find out. I’ve already stayed too long. Tonight, I’ll meet my fate head-on while I’ve still got some fight—and sanity—left in me.”

She’d readied to leave without him? He asked slowly, “Why are you acting as if I’m not going with you?”

“Why are you still acting as if you will? I’ve known for days that you were lying about leaving.”

He scrubbed a hand over his mouth. “I did lie. I . . . regret that.”

“Have you changed your mind about coming with me?” she asked with that expectancy in her expression. Even after all his lies, part of her wanted to believe in him.

“No.” The word was like a death knell. But he was tired of deceiving her.

“So you let the days go by and had no intention of fighting alongside me. These were probably mylastdays and you played with me?”

“I didn’t lie about wanting you. Under different circumstances, we’d be starting something together.”

“So where does that leave us now?”

“We have to try this last step beforeanyoneleaves,” he insisted, his words punctuated by a quake.

“That’s the second one today. The pressure is escalating.”

“The quakes could end tomorrow.”

She rolled her red eyes. “Come on, sorcerer, talk about burying your head in the sand. Do you think the gases of this realm will outstrip your oxygen first? Or will the lava make it quick? We’re nearing world’s end. Staying here is illogical.”

“But trying to defeat a primordial ghoul with a sword makes sense? We’re not even certain an escape exists. You value logic so much? You’re ignoring it now.”

“I’m not setting out filled with false bravado, and I’m not underestimating my foe. Facing the queen will be horrific, but I’d rather fight than surrender.”

“Then give yourself a chance.” With difficulty, he formed a blade of sand from his pouch and slashed his wrist. “Drink from my flesh. It’s not a request.”

Kosmina’s fangs went sharp as she stared at his blood. She looked ravenous but also . . . wary, like an animal scenting a trap. Heartbeats passed before she broke her stare. “I have to go. Now.” She hurried to the door.

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