Page 71 of Songs of Retribution

Kirsi's lips twitched like she wanted to smile, but she pinched them down. "Fine. Let me get you back to your precious fairies and maybe some help to go with it."

"It's not just the fairies I worry about." The wooden board beneath Orman creaked with his step. "Carrington means to destroy magic; if he ends the Prasanna court, he'll come for the Froh and the elves next. My words have been sincere."

"He can't fight the elves."

"That's what the Prasanna thought, mate. Now they're afraid. He's a madman, not acting with honor or logic."

Kirsi stepped over to the window and pulled the lambskin back to peek out. Sunlight spilled into the space, illuminating glittering dust motes. "The neuvosto has spent the last few days in heated debate. The city is in an uproar—half the elves believe you; the other half think it's all an act I'm willingly playing into."

"Well, you intercepted. I intended to follow through."

She whirled around again, so her beaded braids clattered over her shoulder. "If you think I was going to let you burn to death before I socked you across the jaw at least once, you truly are an idiot." She looked at me. "Is he always this obtuse?"

"Yes," I said dryly, glad to speak finally and stop feeling like a piece of furniture witnessing an exchange too personal for my observation.

Orman rolled his eyes. "Glad to know you'd have my back in the end, Neia."

"You didn't tell me we came here for your end, Orman." I chewed his name out. Anger still licked through me over the entire setup.

He grunted. "If there's a chance that we have a foothold with some of the neuvosto, I must speak with them."

"You may end up bound for the fire again."

"Then I'll accept that. I meant it; I'm willing to die for this. It's important, worth the sacrifice."

Kirsi jabbed a thumb at me. "That one didn't seem to agree."

"That one"—Orman cut his eyes to me—"doesn't listen. She was supposed to escape and leave it be."

I slid down in my chair. "You're welcome for being loyal." Saints, he really could be a stubborn ass. I was on Kirsi's side now. I loved him but I'd really like to punch him once myself.

"There's no point in sacrificing your life anymore. The elves will either believe you or not," Kirsi said. "I won't escort you back to your execution, Orman. Don't ask it of me."

"Fine." He shrugged. "If they move in that direction then I'll escape. Do you think they could have gotten me on that dais, alive at least, without my consent?"

"I hope your warrior-spirit still matches the promises of your bard-like tongue."

"I always hope that in every fight I end up in." Orman grinned again, and Kirsi reluctantly returned it.

"Come on," she said, gesturing to the door. "Let's see if we can get you killed again."

"Wait." They both turned to look back at me. "We're just going to march you back out to the people who want you dead?"

Kirsi frowned at me before leaning on the wall and side-eyeing Orman. He shrugged at her before turning back to me. "It's important, Neia. You know the Prasanna need help. I'm assuming you won't take my advice and leave, so do you wanna join?"

My mouth gaped as I slung my hands out earning another exasperated once-over from Kirsi. Apparently being an elf meant being suicidal. Actually, that explained a lot about Orman.

"Fine," I grumbled. I sure as hell wasn't leaving him.

We exited the building, climbed back down the ladders, and pushed through the city’s edges, creeping through alleys and tucking behind piled crates. When we reached the end of a street where the domed building sat in the distance, Kirsi turned towards us.

"We make a run for it. The neuvosto is still meeting. If we take them by surprise, they'll hear us out." She squeezed one eye shut and twisted up her lips. "We might need to fight, though. You both have weapons, right?"

Orman patted his side to indicate the blade she'd given him, but I was stuck staring at them both again. Okay, the elves were definitely suicidal.

"I have my shadows." It was the best weapon especially in the dark space. I could move through it without notice and even steal weapons.

"Okay. Let's go." Kirsi jumped up and ran across the clearing. We joined her, our feet slamming over the cobblestones. Elves looked up in surprise and watched the three of us but by the time any moved to intercept, we'd reached the building’s door and ducked inside.

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