Page 161 of Ash and Feather

Exactly what I had requested from the King of Galizur.

The only problem was that my sister was nowhere to be seen.

The messenger who had delivered the particulars about our meeting to Savnawashere, however. And after interrogating him several times, I finally concluded that he’d done his job adequately. The meeting place and time had been made clear. Savna knew the way, she knew the stakes, she knew my expectations.

She would be here.

I just had to be patient—not a quality I was known for.

How many times had I waited for her to show up, only to be disappointed? Of course that was what my heart wanted toretreat to—that feeling of disappointment and betrayal. Ihatedthat feeling. But it was familiar. And so it was comforting.

I forced myself to keep still, to sit in the discomfort for once and simply…wait.

And to my surprise, she actually showed up.

She rode into view just as the sun slipped behind a mass of gathering rain clouds. Two riders accompanied her, each one bearing a small white flag.

It took everything I had not to break into a run to immediately go greet her.

That was not the plan.

I held my position, merely watching as the two flag-bearing riders dismounted and held perfectly still next to their horses, their symbols of our temporary truce clutched tightly in their fists.

Savna stepped forward alone.

This was what we had agreed upon—me and her and no one else.

Dravyn was less settled on this plan than I was. He was out of sight, but still close enough that he must have seen Savna arriving, because his voice was suddenly in my head, as loud and clear as if he was standing right beside me.

If any part of this starts to look threatening to you, I am intervening. I won’t be separated from you again.

I nodded.I’m fine. My magic is fully recovered. Ready to carry me away quickly, if need be.

I held out my hand and summoned a tiny, perfectly controlled flame into my palm, hoping he could see it from wherever he stood. Hoping it would reassure him.

Be careful.

I nodded and started to walk toward my sister.

We met before the barred door of the gatehouse—a door that had been left partially ajar for our use. I didn’t go inside right away. I couldn’t.

I was too busy staring.

The first thing I noticed were her eyes. The dark circles underneath, the way their usual bright blue had dulled to the color of murky water. She hadn’t slept since we’d parted ways. I was certain of it.

The second thing I noticed was the bruise around her neck.

I had a vivid memory of the other night—of Andrel’s hand grabbing her throat as she tried to protect me from him.

It took everything I had to keep from igniting more fire in my hands—enough fire to swallow us both up, along with this stupid gatehouse and all my stupid plans for peace talks that suddenly seemed pointless. Impossible.

Are you okay?Dravyn’s voice somehow cut through the fury that was slowly encasing me, suffocating out all other sound and sensation.

I had to answer quickly, or I knew he would intervene—which would likely be disastrous.

Yes,I lied.I’m fine.

Then I noticed a third thing: A fresh scar ran along Savna’s face, slicing across her jaw and dipping down toward the hollow of her throat. The slash stopped just short of the life-giving arteries of her neck. As if he’d been aiming to kill.

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