Page 20 of A World of Ruins

I make a tragic little noise at the back of my throat as I hold back a cry and smile. Seldom have I ever felt such pride, and knowing that while I have been away, they have all adapted to their new lifestyle without me makes my chest tighten.

Freya touches my cheek. ‘Solaris or not, you are still the bravest soul I have ever met, and I am with you even if you wish to venture off into the wild again or face Aurum head-on.’

It’s hard to stop myself from pulling her into an embrace again.

‘Do you truly mean all that?’ I ask, and the echo of her vibrating laugh makes me smile.

‘Of course I do.’

I rear back, a plan already forming in the depths of my mind. ‘Then would you be willing to help me tonight?’

Freya’s mouth is half open as she frowns. She stutters, ‘Well, I didn’t think you would ask for my help this soon, but I suppose I should have seen it coming.’ She sighs. ‘What is it you need help with?’

‘Going back to Emberwell.’

She blinks, her face the perfect statue of a shocked person. ‘I am assuming this will involve getting Darius back.’

I nod and lick my lips. ‘I know that everyone says we should wait, that if we can figure out a spell to undo Darius’s bond with Aurum, then maybe it will be safer. But I can’t do this any longer, Freya. The more time he spends there, the more I feel that I am risking losing him altogether.’

She takes my words into consideration. Freya is used to this side of me. She is no stranger, after all, to what occurred back in Emberwell. ‘I—’ She takes another moment to think. ‘Of course—’

The second she is about to finish her sentence, the door to my chamber opens wide with a stumbling Link as he holds Tibith in his arms and Rydan grinning from ear to ear.

‘You can count us in, Ambrose.’ Rydan puffs out his chest, looking overly excited for a mission I have yet to describe.

My eyes narrow at the three of them. ‘Were you eavesdropping behind the door?’

Tibith nods as Link shakes his head, and Rydan purses his lips.

‘Define eavesdropping?’ Rydan drawls.

‘Listening in on one’s conversation when you shouldn’t,’ Freya deadpans, causing Link to try to object by raising a finger.

‘I would just like to state I was not part of this—’

‘Then why did you hush me when they were speaking?’ Rydan hisses at him.

‘Because otherwise, they would have heard us.’

‘What does Illias see in you—’

Link immediately takes a defensive stance towards Rydan, and my eyes roll to the back of my head.

‘Must you both argue right now?’ I cut them off mid-argument and set my shoulders back as I exhale. ‘You know I did not want Tibith to be involved in any of this.’

Link bows his head at that reprimand, and Tibith jumps out of his arms. He trots towards me on all fours before standing on two legs.

‘Oh, please let me come, Miss Nara! P-please, please, please!’

I sigh, disappointed at how difficult it is to deny him anything.

‘I can help get Darry back!’ He rolls around the room faster than the human eye can detect. ‘And I am g-good at missions, Miss Nara; remember when I helped Darry trick you!’

My smile softens at his enthusiasm. It wasn’t so long ago that he did, in fact, aid Darius in one-upping me at the jeweller’s shop. ‘I do.’

His feather-like hair flutters as he squeaks in delight, and I turn to Freya. She looks at me cautiously. Is she wondering when she will catch a break from my schemes?

The answer is likelynever.

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