Page 152 of The Last One
“So, what did you learn in the woods?” he asks.
I tell him everything, from Sybel revealing my mother’s name and her role in the realms to the possibility that we may all die if I don’t do my job: stopping the One and saving Vallendor. “And Sybel told me who I am to the mortals of Maford.”
“And Sybel’s the Lady of Dawn and Dusk,” Jadon says. “I know of her.”
“You do?”
He nods. “And she was the woman you saw in the cave?”
“Yes. She tested me, I think, when she appeared in Azzam Cavern—and because I spared the battawhale, I unlocked all this knowledge about my identity. And now that I’m wearing my original outfit, I’m remembering more things.”
He faces the sky again. “So that’s why you returned upset from the forest. She told you where to find your pendant.”
“Notwhere,” I clarify. “How. And I realized the signs were there all along—and they all pointed to Olivia.”
He whispers, “But now that you have your clothes, do you still need to stop in Caburh?”
I turn to him, placing my head on my elbow. “I’m more powerful with my clothes but not as powerful as I should be—as I could be if I had my amulet. Stopping at Caburh for armor will provide me one more layer of protection until I can find it.” A cloud obscures the nightstar for a moment, and it’s as if the sky has closed her eyes. “Veril isn’t doing well, and I’d rather he be where he is safe and can heal.”
Jadon watches the sky as the clouds drift clear of the nightstar. “He means a lot to you.”
“Yes.” I pluck a wildflower from the ground. “More than I imagined.”
His head tilts toward me, but not enough to meet my eyes.
Sadness weighs down my head, and I lie back with my face to the dark sky.
“I’m glad you met him,” Jadon says. “I’m glad you found someone you could trust.”
“How do you know about the Lady of Dawn and Dusk?” I ask.
He smiles. “Take a guess.”
I say, “Old Myrtle. So, did she truly exist or…?”
“She existed, and she did live in a hut outside of town. I was told to stay away from her, which, of course, only made me want to meet her.” He pushes out a breath. “We’ll find your amulet, Kai. And once we have Veril in a safe place, we’ll be able to focus. Travel without having to stop too many times. You’ll get to Mount Devour even if I have to swim across its sea carrying you on my back. I’ll probably collapse and die, but then, with your pendant, you can bring me back to life. Please bring me back.”
I smile. “I’ll bring you back as something cool, like a cow or a—”
“Acow?” he says, incredulous.
“What?” I say, grinning. “I like cows.”
“How about a mountain lion or an eagle? I’d even take a badger over a cow.”
I tilt my head in his direction. “If you continue fucking up, then you’ll become a turkey.”
He tilts his head in my direction. “Guess I won’t be fucking up again.”
We smile at each other before looking back at the sky.
The fire crackles behind us. Veril is snoring. Philia, too. Jadon and I should be sleeping, but I don’t want to leave this spot. I don’t want to abandon this peace.
“I know your prayer,” Jadon says.“Oh, gentle Lady, Guardian of the Verdant Realm. Hear the humble plea of Thy devoted servant seeking the grace of Your divine touch.”
When he doesn’t go any further, I say, “There’s more.”
“Divine touch,” he says, smiling some. “I like that.”
