Page 81 of Beyond the Winter Kingdom
She snorted. “That was terrible.”
“You’re just mad you didn’t say it first.”
Sadie gave a half-smile, but it didn’t last. Her gaze turned toward the horizon. “You really think he can find her?”
“I think if there’s any thread left to pull on, Corvo will find it.”
“And if he can’t?”
I didn’t answer right away.
Because if Corvo couldn’t find her, then I’d tear through both realms myself until I did.
Chapter 22
Meera
The air was thick. Not just warm, but wet and viscous, like it was trying to seep through my skin and slow every breath. It clung to my clothes, to my hair, to my thoughts. Damon paced ten feet away, checking the perimeter for the third time in as many minutes. I sat on a patch of cracked earth beneath what used to be a tree—now just brittle limbs and peeling bark. Useless for coverage. Perfect for the vibe.
“We need to figure out our next move,” I said aloud, mostly to myself.
Damon didn’t respond. No surprise. “We need a plan,” I said, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Something better than ‘stand here and hope the universe pities us.’”
“Yes, because that’s exactly what I was going to suggest,” he replied blithely. “Did it escape your notice that the realms separated you intentionally? That rock that popped up in front of Vareck wasn’t a coincidence.”
“No, it didn’t. Rudeness. I’m just focusing on what I can control: our next move.” I held both hands up in surrender. “And as for your attitude, usually your plans involve sitting still and waiting for something bad to happen?—”
“I’m deliberative and prefer not to make rash decisions?—”
“But in this case I think we should stay put,” I said, rubbing my temples. “Find shelter, set up some kind of marker. If the land shifts again and they’re close enough, maybe we’ll end up in the same realm. It’s a risk, but?—”
“You’re assuming they’ll stay in place too.”
“I’m assuming they’re smart enough not to wander off.”
Damon gave me a look. “Sadie? Stay put?”
I sighed. “She’s with Vareck. He knows ... things.”
Damon snorted. “Yeah, he knows jack all about the twin hells. That plan isn’t going to work.”
My brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”
He crouched and drew two rough circles in the dirt. “Evorsus and Eversus don’t just swap positions on command. The time streams move at different rates. Hours here might be days there—or the reverse. Waiting here, hoping we sync up again? We could be stuck for weeks, months. Maybe forever.”
I folded my arms. “So what do you suggest?”
“We stick with the original plan and head to the place where the realms converge naturally; the Fold.” He pointed in a direction, though I had no idea which way it was going. I didn’t see any blue flowers nearby. “That’s where the portal is supposed to be anyway. If they head there and we head there, it’s our best shot at reconnecting.”
“Sure, but there’s another problem.” Nudging the backpacks with my boot, I took a breath that stuttered, hating what I was about to say. “We don’t know how long it’ll take, and we aren’t going to make it long without food and water. Everything is with us, but Corvo can’t bring us more.”
He nodded grimly. “I know. We have to ration carefully.”
The air shimmered beside us.
I turned just in time to see a flick of movement, light bending, and then, standing on a rock like he hadn’t just crossed between realms, was Corvo.
“You’re here!” I threw my arms around him and nuzzled his furry self against my chest. Corvo purred loudly, arching his paws to make biscuits against me.
