“You’ve proven nothing to me. But after you.” She bows dramatically, and then watches his back as the Ybarisans move through the passage on their horses in double file. “He is too eager to please you.”
“Maybe he thinks that’s the way to your soft, warm heart.”
She snorts and goads her horse forward, her swords drawn as if expecting an imminent attack.
We follow, the legionaries surrounding Telor and me, their heads on swivels.
On the other side, the mine opens into a massive, open space. The ceiling soars high above, visible thanks to dull daylight reaching in from the gap in the wall. The sound of rushing water pulls our attention to one end where a waterfall pours down rock and flows into a stream. Aside from the cauldron of common bats that hang from the crevices high above, there are no signs of Nulling beasts. Kienen and the other Ybarisans are already stooping to splash their faces.
“Radomir has spoken truth so far,” Telor admits.
“Yes, in this, he has proven his worth.”
“I am sure Neilina found him worthy too,” Abarrane reminds me before dismounting and leading her horse to water.
“Find a spot to refresh your horse and yourselves if needed, and then move out of the way for others!” My voice booms through the cave as I follow my own orders, smoothing a palm over my stallion as he bows.
Radomir finds me there. “Have you ever been this close to the rift?”
“Aside from the actual crossing above? No, I cannot say I have.” Certainly not this deep.
“Come.” He beckons me with a nod, picking a path through where the water is shallow.
I follow, the stream ice-cold against my leather boots, Abarrane’s eyes boring on my back. I cast a hand, telling her to remain where she is, as we move toward the gaping chasm ahead.
“This has been one of my favorite places to visit for years.”
“The rift?” I am not one to fear heights, but standing at its brink has always reminded me how insignificant we all are. Even approaching it makes my legs wobbly.
“The glance of daylight.” He looks up. “We are so deep here that it is filtered. It does not burn us. Until days ago, this was the most I’d seen in centuries.”
I edge in closer, to get a better view above to where—so very high up—a faded blue sky peeks. It must be mid-afternoon by now.
The stone gives way beneath my foot.
Before my heart has time to leap into my throat, an arm seizes mine and yanks me back to safety.
“My thanks,” I offer through an exhale.
“I have seen more than one fall into the void to catch a glimpse.” He slides off his helm, revealing his grotesque face. “Who knows if they’ve ever found the bottom.”
All around, in every direction, is jagged stone where Aminadav’s fury carved through. “I’d ask if you regretted your choice to turn on your own kind all those years ago, but I feel as though your bargain with Queen Neilina has already given me your answer.” He was willing to do anything to lift his curse.
“I did what I needed to survive. Yes, some of those things are unforgivable. Some will always be seen as a betrayal.” His black eyes land on me. “I know what you think of my kind, and I do not blame you. But many could argue you and Romeria have also done something unforgivable in order to survive.”
“I will not have our decisions for the realm be questioned by a sapling.” I snap. “We did what we needed to for everyone in Islor. Do not mistake that for selfish gain. And do not forget, for you to survive, you need us.”
“Regardless, soon your realm will be crawling with beasts, the likes of which we have not seen in two thousand years. Many will not listen to your reasons. Many will still see you as the enemy of Islor.”
He is not wrong in this. “That is a burden I am willing to carry, if it means the slaughter of both mortals and immortals for blood ends.” It might also mean the end of any hope to reclaim my throne. But that is a problem for another day.
Radomir observes the soldiers crowding around the stream, the delineation between sapling and Ybarisan and Islorian fading as they all search for a space. “Allow me to show you something that may be of interest to you first. This way.”
I feel the legionaries’ watchful gazes on me as I follow Radomir away from the gaping hole, toward the opposite side. Several have nocked arrows in their grips.
Radomir chuckles. “They do not need to fear me. Dragging kings into corners to trap and feed is beneath me. I will even wait here if it will appease them. I merely wanted to show you this, seeing as you and your queen are so entwined with these nymphs and casters.” He gestures toward the alcove.