Page 103 of Prisoner of Darkness and Dreams
Harman taps the date on the letter. “They already passed Tread a long time ago. In fact, I suspect we’ve missed our chance to head them off before they enter Godom. They’re likely only half a week away from Qimorna by now.
“But they’re using a coach and horses, which means they’ll have to stop and rest,” Leon says, turning to Corrin. “What about your smuggler friends, Ravesley and his crew? Could they help us again and get us to Godom on their boat?”
“For the right price, they’ll do anything,” Corrin says with a shrug. “And I happen to know they like doing business near Kestis this time of year. But traveling by boat isn’tthatmuch faster. Even with all Winnivus’s gales behind you, it’ll be damn close. We could get there only to find they’ve just entered Qimorna a few hours before.”
“Maybe, but I’m not letting Caledon kill another solari on my watch,” I say. “And I’m certainly not letting him get any closer to becoming immortal.”
I picture a sea of ivory buildings under a baking sun, a dark cell and a staring corpse. I close my eyes and remember that white, marble room and the hard surface of the bloody altar.
If I’m to be worthy of my powers, I have to keep facing my fears.
I look around at my friends and take a deep breath. “If we get to Godom and find out they’ve already reached Qimorna, then we’ll just have to follow them there.”
Chapter 33
Morgana
I’ve heard about people getting seasick, but the gentle swell of the riverboat’s movement beneath my feet actually settles my stomach. There’s something soothing about the constant motion. Maybe because I spent so many years cooped up at Gallawing—this feels too much like freedom for it to make me uneasy.
It’s not enough, however, to fully wipe away my nervousness about what lies ahead of us. Below deck, a host of rebels, five fae, and an exiled crime lord make the journey with me, and I feel personally responsible for them all.
This is my plan, and if anyone gets hurt, it’s on me. But if that isn’t part of being a queen, I don’t know what is—making the best decisions you can and shouldering the consequences when they come. I just hope I’ve balanced the scales right. This mission might be dangerous, but surely it will prevent more suffering in the end? We’re not just risking twenty lives for one child, but for everyone who will get hurt if Caledon becomes more powerful. That must be worth it.
I wish I felt more certain.
A soft sensation dances at the edge of my awareness, like a hand stroking across my mind. I lean into it and hear Leon’s voice in my head.
“I’m coming to join you, my love.”
I relax my shoulders. Being able to consciously exchange thoughts with Leon is taking some getting used to, but it’s not as intrusive as I might’ve thought. Now that I’m aware of it, it’s easier to control what I share and what I keep to myself. When we do connect, it’s like knocking on a door and waiting for the other to answer.
Warm hands encircle my shoulders, and I lean back against Leon’s chest, tucking my head under his chin. Together, we watch the countryside slip by. In other circumstances, this would be a beautiful evening to spend with the man I love.
In other circumstances, when we weren’t going where we’re going, to do what we have to do.
“It’s normal to feel nervous about the mission ahead, but don’t take those feelings as a bad omen,” Leon says, still looking out across the water. “With some luck and the gods’ good will, it’ll all go to plan.”
“Well now you’ve cursed us for sure,” I say playfully.
“Then I’ll say special prayers to Ralus tonight to un-curse us,” he replies, and I can hear the smile in his voice.
“I can’t stop worrying about returning to Qimorna itself,” I admit. “The last time I left, I left a piece of myself with it. I had to fight hard to get it back.”
“But youdidget it back,” Leon says. “And this won’t be like last time.”
“You’re right,” I say, turning around to face him. “Because this time I have you. And as long as you’re by my side, I can take it all on.”
“No pressure then,” he says with a smirk, but he pulls me to him and kisses me deeply enough that for a moment all those nerves slip away with the river.
CORRIN
“And that’s a full house,” crows Moss, laying his hand down on the table for Esther and me to see. The smuggler waits for our groans of disappointment,then starts gathering the florins from the middle of the table with a triumphant grin.
Of course, Captain Ravesley guessed right away that my new friends were all part of a certain group just as he’d worked out that Leon and his soldiers weren’t Trovians on their first voyage with him. He’s too savvy to miss much, but he’s an excellent contact to have. When I requested he get us to Godom as quickly and discreetly as possible, all he did was raise a grizzled eyebrow and mumble something about how me turning political hasn’t changed his rates.
Esther throws her cards down with a sigh.
“That’s what I get for playing with smugglers and men who own gambling dens, I guess,” she says.
