Page 184 of Ash and Feather

“They’re close by.”

“Good. I need to speak with Mairu. I’m going to require her magic for something.”

I tilted my head, curious.

“I need to borrow my sister’s shadow, one last time.”

“You’ve been practicing the divine’s ability to speak in riddles, I see.”

She gave me a grim smile. “Gather the others,” she insisted, “and I’ll explain as much as I can.”

Hours later,deep in the middle of the mortal realm’s night, I walked alone along the edge of the fields surrounding Karys’s old house.

To my left, a forest loomed. The twisted, shadowy branches seemed a fitting reflection of my dark and tangled thoughts. I was still going over the meeting we’d had, still trying to make sense of all the things Karys had told us.

And the things shehadn’t.

She’d gone to Valla, as I’d suspected.

To Malaphar, as I’d feared.

And next, she planned to go deep into the territory of the elven rebels once more. To strike at the heart of their operation,she’d informed us, and undo the corrupted magic they’d created along with everything else.

Beyond this vague plan, she’d shared frustratingly little. We’d gone in circles for the better part of an hour while she explained what she needed to do, and why, but thehow…

There was more she wasn’t telling us.

Too much more.

It was not her fault, I didn’t think; I suspected the God of the Shade had bound her to secrecy regarding some details of their plans. Whether by way of an actual spell or merely a spoken oath, there were secrets he’d insisted she keep from me. And if she failed to do so…

I clenched my hand into a fist, stifling the fire that had started to build in my palm.

Breaking her oath to such a powerful god would only make things worse.

So I was left with no choice but to guess at how I could possibly help her. How I could keep her safe.

I continued to study the woods as I walked, considering disappearing into them for a minute until I felt a stirring in my chest that made me turn back toward the house.

Karys was crossing the field, making her way toward me.

Her hair whipped about in the damp breeze. Her skin glowed faintly, the magic inside of her shining a light that was particularly noticeable in the pale cast of the cloud-covered moon.

Stunning, as always.

I would never tire of seeing her walking in my direction.

She studied my face as she reached me, the familiar, grim smile curving her lips once more. “You’re angry with me, aren’t you? Is that why you haven’t come back to the house?”

Despite the very real rage simmering in my gut, I shook my head.

“No. I’m not angry—not with you.” I took her hand. Pulled her closer. Kissed her forehead before gathering her against my chest and burying my face against her hair. “Never with you.”

She angled her face so she could gaze up at me. “I should have told you I was going to Valla. But I was afraid I would lose my nerve if I waited too long.”

I brushed a hand across her cheek. She shook slightly against me, as if all of the plans and fears she carried were rattling against her insides, trying to overtake her.

“Walk with me,” I said, taking a step back and grabbing hold of her hand. “Show me more of this forest; you know all the paths through it, I’m guessing?”

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