Page 38 of Vow of the Shadow King

Then she’s yanked off her perch on the stone and dragged under the dark surface.

“Hael!” Sul cries, pushing himself painfully upright. “Vor, she can’t—”

I don’t wait to hear the rest. I’m already yanking off my helmet and breastplate and diving in after her.

15

FARAINE

I stand on my balcony atdimness,lean against the rail, and watch the crystals in the high cavern ceiling go out, one after another.

Still, Vor does not return.

I try to pray. I’ve spent most of this day trying to pray, in fact. I used to be quite good at it. It’s a skill one almost can’t help acquiring while living among the sisters at Nornala Convent. There, in the high mountain air, so close to the stars, it feels as though prayers have but a short journey to make before reaching the goddess’s waiting ears.

Down here, under stone? What god can possibly hear me other than Lamruil, the god of darkness? And him I don’t know. I would be afraid to direct any prayers his way.

Eventually, the cavern is plunged into the Under Realm’s version of night. It’s not as dark as one would expect a subterranean world to be. The city streets below are bright with lanterns, and my own room boasts severallorstcrystals in silver sconces, and white moonfire flickers on the hearth. I miss the orange warmth of fires back home, but it’s bright enough.

Still, I cannot bring myself to go back inside and sit before that fire. I remain where I am, gazing out over the palace wall, down into the city. Hoping. Wishing.Willing.

I’d managed to drag a little more information out of Yok concerning the king’s mission. He’d told me no word had come from Hoknath City since the quake, and Vor, concerned, had sent his brother and two other messengers to investigate. The two messengers had returned with news of a cavern collapse, while Sul was lost in the river.

Vor is close to his brother. I felt the love between them during their brief stay in Beldroth. My heart aches for Vor, for the fear he must be experiencing. I wish I could do something. Anything. I hate feeling so helpless.

My fingers toy listlessly with my crystal on its chain. I should give up this futile watch, should retire to my bed, try to sleep. Not that it matters.Lusterlingwill come eventually, and I will face more lonely hours, more helpless solitude. Meanwhile, Vor is out there somewhere in this dark realm, risking his life. Oh, why could the gods not have gifted me with a true power? Something I might use to help this man I’ve come to . . . to . . . I’ve dared to . . .

Heat flares against my chest. I catch my breath, frown, and look down. My crystal lies in its accustomed place above my heart. My gown is a trolde creation with rather less bodice than I’m used to. No fabric between my flesh and the stone, therefore no protection from a second and equally unexpected flare of heat. Hastily, I grab the chain, pull the pendant away from my skin. It swings in the air, blue and clear. But in its heart, something red flickers. Like a spark.

I tilt my head and lift my other hand to touch the stone with a tentative fingertip. It doesn’t burn. It’s cool and smooth as ever. Even that flicker of red is gone. Now, however, I feel that same strange sensation I’ve felt twice before—apull.My brow creases. For a moment I stand uncertain, undecided.

The next, I’m in motion. I leave the balcony behind, cross the room to the door. I’d shut myself in when coming back from the courtyard, refusing to admit even Yrt when she brought my supper. Hael would have insisted, but Yok yielded to my demands for solitude and sent Yrt on her way.

The boy is out there now. I can feel him and all his pent-up, nervous energy. He may be trolde, but he’s young, and has not yet learned to keep his emotions in check like his elder sister. I hesitate, considering what I’m about to do. The necklace flares again with that strange spark of red light, the pull so strong, I stagger two paces and nearly fall against the door. What is this? What is drawing me so inexplicably, so inexorably?

A little growl in my throat, I grab the door latch, wrench the door open. Yok leans against the wall just outside. At my appearance, he pulls himself together, fumbling with his lance. “Princess!” he gasps and halfway salutes before thinking better of it. “Do you need anything? Shall I call the maid back with your meal?”

I look at him, my mouth open, my heart thudding. Then: “Out.”

“Pardon?”

“Out. I’m going out.”

He blinks three times before managing to ask, “Why?”

“Is it your place to question me, Guardsman Yok?”

His pale trolde skin flushes lavender. I sense a prickling of shame. Good. I can use shame.

“I intend to take a walk,” I continue. “I am tired of these same walls. I need new sights and a chance to stretch my legs.” I look up, hold the boy’s gaze hard. Daring him to contradict me, daring him to shove me back into the room and bar my way. He wants to protest. I feel his resistance. But I won’t back down.

At last, Yok swallows hard. The muscles of his throat constrict. Then he nods.

“Good.” I step out into the hall. It suddenly seems very large, and I very small. I’m like a rabbit loosed from the snare, too frightened to make a dash for freedom.

Then my crystal warms again, almost too hot to handle. The flare recedes quickly, leaving behind only that unmistakablepull.My mouth set, I step into motion. Yok utters a little grunt and hastens behind me, armor creaking. I don’t bother looking back. He’ll stick close to my heels, no doubt, my determined young protector.

Closing my eyes, I concentrate on the inner vibration of the crystal. Now and then, I peer through my lashes just to make certain I’m not about to run into anything or anyone. The crystal leads me true, however. The more I lean into its guidance, the better progress I make. Thedimnesshour is late, and we encounter only a few tall, imposing trolde figures as we go. One of them barks out a series of harsh words at the sight of me, but I ignore both him and Yok’s response. I simply march on, following my invisible guide.

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