Page 65 of Songs of Retribution

Sai’s fingers curled into fists like he fought tapping into his magic. “And place yourself, the one who is marked for the Seelie magic, in the middle of their war camp?” Lennox released a breath, and I tightened my grip on his fingers as Sai reached out and brushed an ivory lock of hair behind Lira’s ear. “You were the one, love, who said this wasn’t just about us anymore.”

“What if you need me?”

He nodded to Lennox. “We already have an elemental with us. You getting captured is too much of a risk.”

A furrow formed between her brows, and she rolled her shoulders back then sighed and dropped her face. “You’re right.”

Sai kissed her forehead and brushed his gloved fingers down her neck once more before addressing Ishir. “If something happens, get her the hell out of here.”

“If something happens,” Lira said through her teeth, “I’m coming to help.”

Sai grimaced but didn’t make any more comments as he gestured towards the path down the steep cliff. I looked back at Ishir, and he gave me a nod. He was so steady in a way I’d never noticed. He hadn’t even flinched at the position Sai and Lira had put him in. Hopefully we wouldn’t need her to try intervening. We planned to slip into the valley, steal the metal, and get out. Lennox would glamour us to blend into the surroundings. His trace was similar enough to Carrington's that we hoped it wouldn't draw attention.

We began down a narrow, sandy trail with loose rocks that scattered into scrubby patches of brown grass with our steps. The touch of Lennox's magic from his glamour breathing over my skin was like his presence wrapped around me, a comfort that eased my rushing heart rate.

When the path widened, Sai walked next to me. His eyes went distant like they did when he reached out to speak to Lira with their magic. Lennox looked back at Sai and his eyes were similar, like he was listening to a message from his sister. Which meant Sai was using Lira to send a message to Lennox. Annoyance buzzed through me. If we were going to use a secret code to speak, perhaps we should accept our fate, all share our true names, and be able to communicate openly.

A buzz of magic zipped over my mind, and I opened up to it.Sai has asked me to ward both of you together so he can speak to you. Are you comfortable with that?

I am. Thank you.

A moment later another layer of Lennox's magic curled around me, the feel of it sohimI shivered at its touch.

Sai ran his fingers back through his hair. "There's something I need to say to you."

"Yes?"

"I was wrong… about your magic."

That brought me up short, and my mouth gaped. Words wouldn't form.

"Kali blessed you with this magic because she trusts you. Lennox was right."

"What?" Even with their recent truce, I couldn't believe Sai's words. I doubted I'd ever forget the way he'd looked at me in the clearing after he took in all the dead soldiers lying in the muck.

Sai stopped walking and dropped his chin to his chest. The Seelie camp milled just beyond. We'd gotten close enough that the murmur of conversations reached us. "Kali is wiser than me," Sai said. "I've always been so protective of you." He lifted his face again and his eyes sparkled with his magic, like his feelings were so great the powers longed to pulse out. "After what happened with Lennox,"—he put his hands up to stall my protest—"I didn't want to see you hurt again. The idea of so much being put on your shoulders made me scared for you. But Lennox was right. You're stronger than I've given you credit for and I'm sorry it took me so long to see it. I don't doubt that you'll know when to use your powers, and I trust you to make the right call with them."

His face was so open and vulnerable. It was the first time since I'd killed the soldiers that he looked at me with full acceptance. My heart lurched, and it reminded me how much I loved my brother and longed to please him. But he was right, this magic was mine, and it was up to me when to use it.

My throat had grown tight, and I struggled to whisper. "Thank you, Sai."

He clapped my shoulder and jutted his chin towards Lennox who stood waiting for us. It was strange for a moment, to stand next to my brother, here with our Atallas, the future blooming before us. If we could just overcome this war, it seemed like it might be a beautiful thing.

We started down the cliff path again, struggling to keep our footing as it got steeper. When we reached the camp’s edge, Lennox raised his hand for us to stop. Soldiers walked around a corner and I sucked in a breath and held it. They passed us without even looking our way.

Lennox bobbed his head and gestured for us to follow. We went around a group of curved tents that had front and back openings. Lennox ducked into one, and I bit the inside of my cheek. I hated that he always had to be brave, always had to plow ahead and put himself at risk.

We followed inside, and Lennox opened a trunk and shuffled through it. Sai crept to the tent’s front flap where soldiers talked on the other side. Lennox's thumb held a map in place that was stretched across the trunk’s top, and I realized we had to be in the tent of a leader. I didn't know how Lennox understood exactly which tent to go to, but Sai had been correct. Lennox understood Seelie culture in a way we couldn't.

"Got it," Lennox said, clutching a small pouch in his hand and lowering the lid quietly back in place. He studied the map for a moment, traced his fingers over the markings on it, then nodded towards the exit.

We crept back out the tent’s other side, Sai’s eyes sharp as we exited into the darkening valley again. Relief swept through me as we turned a corner back towards the trail to climb the mountain.

Our feet crunched gravel, and we slowed, trying to keep our movements quiet. A passing soldier stopped and turned towards us. We froze. The light had dimmed enough that even if we weren't glamoured, the shadows might help obscure us.

The man tightened his eyes as they darkened with magic, the zevar resting on his uniform glowing. "You there," he shouted and pointed at us. "Stop!"

"Shit," Lennox gasped. "He worked in the palace and recognized my trace. Run!”

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