Page 37 of The Blood Traitor

“Look around,” the king said needlessly, since it was impossible to miss the rows and rows of Gray Guards between them and Blackmount’s first iron gate. “You’re surrounded. And before you think of doing something foolish, dear Ashlyn, you should know that Xuru isn’t the only anomaly I have under my command. Be very careful what you do next.”

Despite Navok’s warning, Kiva was just about to tell the princess to use her magic in any way she could. But Galdric spoke first.

“Quick, take my hands,” he ordered, thrusting his palms out for them.

“Why —” Kiva started.

“Just do it,” he urged, but then he took the choice from them, reaching for both Kiva and Ashlyn, his grip like steel. “Now take a deep breath — and try not to throw up.”

Kiva wanted to ask what the hell he was talking about, but then she locked eyes with Ashlyn, and that was when she felt it.

Wind.

So much wind, manifesting out of nowhere, slamming into her hard enough to steal the breath from her lungs. But that wasn’t all it did, because suddenly, her feet were no longer on the ground as a vortex of air twisted her violently around and then swept her up into the night’s sky.

A scream left Kiva but then she shut her mouth as she spun around like a human tornado. She felt Galdric’s tight grip anchoring her to him and had a moment to marvel thathewas somehow doing this, but her wonder paled in comparison to the stomach-churning queasiness she felt as she continued to spin, spin,spin.

She could see nothing but the smeared inkiness of the night as the wind continued to pummel her, the air bitterly cold, the force of it enough to make her feel as if she were being bruised all over.

Then, after seconds that felt like hours, it finally stopped, leaving Kiva on solid ground once more. Her head was so dizzy that she fell straight to her knees, and while she was vaguely aware that they were now in a moonlit clearing with the faint lights of a village in the distance, that was all she noted before she had to slam her eyes shut against her nausea.

Ashlyn moaned from somewhere to her left. “What in the name of the gods wasthat?”

Galdric collapsed before he could answer.

Kiva reopened her eyes at thethudof him hitting the earth and pushed through the last of her dizziness. “Galdric?”

Ashlyn’s vomiting was the only response Kiva received, so she crawled unsteadily over to the ex-rebel leader to check his pulse.

“Ugh,” Ashlyn mumbled once her retching ended. But then, louder, she asked, “Is he dead?”

There was a strong heartbeat beneath Kiva’s fingers, so she answered, “I think he just fainted.”

“I’m not surprised,” Ashlyn said, standing shakily. “I’ve never seen wind magic used like that. I didn’t even know itcoulddo that.” She squinted toward the village, trying to get her bearings. “He must have transported us at least —” She broke off with a gasp.

“What?” Kiva asked, seeing her shocked expression.

“I know this place,” Ashlyn said with disbelief. “That’s Sudbury. Stoneforge is barely two miles from here.” She stared at Galdric’s prone body. “That must have been why he asked where I was planning to take us — so he could bring us here himself.”

Kiva gaped into the darkness. “Are you saying — are we back inEvalon?”

Ashlyn nodded, the moonlight dusting her features silver. “I wouldn’t believe what just happened if I hadn’t experienced it myself.” There was a dazed look on her face, but she shook it off and moved back to where Kiva knelt beside Galdric. “Don’t try to heal him — we don’t want to draw attention,” she said, not that Kiva needed the warning. “He’s too heavy for us to carry him all the way to the base, but there’s an inn at the edge of the village.” She took hold of his shoulders. “The innkeeper is trustworthy — we can leave him with her until I can send someone to collect him.” She jerked her chin toward Galdric’s feet. “Anytime you’re ready.”

Kiva stood and grabbed Galdric’s legs, taking half his weight with a grunt. She and Ashlyn then crab-walked the ex-rebel leader toward the village. It was a relief to find that the princess hadn’t exaggerated the distance — the inn was one of the first establishments once they entered Sudbury.

The innkeeper recognized Ashlyn immediately, and while the short-haired woman did raise a questioning eyebrow at their maids’ outfits, she was quick to lead them upstairs and into a free room, promising not to let Galdric leave if he woke. She locked him in for good measure, with Ashlyn assuring her that he’d be retrieved within the hour.

It was only when Kiva and Ashlyn stepped back out into the balmy night air — the summer temperature much warmer than it had been in Mirraven — that Kiva became uncertain about her next steps. Ever since Cresta had helped her regain her fighting spirit in Zalindov, she’d been desperate to reunite with her friends and brother, and now that she was free of Navok and back in Evalon, she could finallydothat.

Only... she had no idea where they were. Had Jaren, Caldon, and Naari remained in Vallenia, hiding out in the city? Was Torell still loyal to Zuleeka and working by her side? Had Tipp escaped Rhessinda and the rebels and found a way to safety?

The only thing Kiva knew was that she couldn’t linger at Stoneforge. She would wait until she could speak with Galdric, and then she would leave him to Ashlyn and start the long journey south. If her geography was correct, Stoneforge was half a day’s ride from Lamont, nestled in the foothills of the Tanestra Mountains. Vallenia was hundreds of miles away, but if Kiva was to find her friends and Torell, the capital was where she would have to begin.

“You’re very quiet,” Ashlyn noted as they walked along the moonlit path, the village now far behind them and new lights shining up ahead, indicating they were approaching their destination.

“Just thinking,” Kiva said, suddenly unsure where she stood with the princess. Ashlyn was a Vallentis —anda general. Would she evenallowKiva to leave, or was she just a different kind of prisoner now?

“About?” Ashlyn pressed.

---