A series of sickening pops fill the air as various joints dislocate, ripped from their sockets by his spasms. Eventually, the tremors slow. His body twitches for only a few moments more before growing still.
The Grand Bearer steps back, adjusting the sleeves of his robes. Rather than seeming like he’s taken on a burden, he looks less tired than before, almost rejuvenated. I’m reminded that doing the gods’ will rewards us with a serenity that shows in our demeanor. And no task is so worthy of reward as a sacrifice like this.
“We must remember that this is the noblest death they can have,” he says. “His soul is liberated of its sins, and he can join his ancestors in the Eternal Realm.”
I nod, trying to hold onto that thought as the cleavers remove the small, limp body. However broken his earthly form may be, at least now the boy is free.
Chapter 28
Morgana
The salt air caresses my cheek, and I listen hard to the noise all around me. I’ve never heard anything like it before—a momentous roar that still manages to be strangely calming. So constant, like the beating of a heart.
I’ve never seen the ocean before. I’ve seen drawings in books of course, but those could never do this justice. As I stand on the beach, looking out across the choppy gray waters, it fills all my senses. The endlessness of it strikes me, reminding me of the depths of a certain pair of eyes.
Footsteps crunch across the sand toward me.
“That fishmonger was very friendly. Alastor had to barely use any magic to get directions,” Leon says. It’s been two weeks since we left Filusia, and I still haven’t gotten used to him in his glamour. Sure, I saw his human form often enough when we were first traveling through Trova, but then I was spoiled during our time in Filusia. I miss his sharp, fae features and maybe even the height a little. He still looks mostly like Leon, butmostof Leon isn’t enough for me anymore when I wantallof him.
There’s a yip down by the waves, and a flock of gulls scatters away from the flash of reddish fur gamboling through the surf.
I am unreservedly glad for the glamour they’ve supplied for Dots. A four-tailed creature from the Miravow would attract far too much notice. So for the moment Dots resembles a large, russet-coated dog. He didn’t like the collar that the glamour’s attached to him at first, but once I explained that we needed it so he could stay by my side, the animal accepted it begrudgingly.
Now he bounds up to us, shaking off his wet fur and flicking salt water all over my skirts.
“Apparently, Will’s house is ten minutes west of here, just beyond those rocks.”
“Right on the sea front?” I smile. “That was the plan. He said he wanted to wake up to the sea.”
He talked to me so many times about the home he’d have. He said I’d always be welcome there…and in just a few minutes more, I’ll find out if he meant it. Deciding to come see Will when we were still back in Filusia seemed straightforward, but now we’re here in Gullert, I’m hit with a wave of nerves. I’m desperate to see my old friend again—the man who was the closest thing I ever had to a father—and yet so much has changed since I last saw him.
Leon must be getting better guessing what I’m feeling, because he lays a hand on my elbow now.
“Are you sure about this?” he asks.
I hesitate, not sure how to answer. “I don’t know if he’ll want to help us, but I’m sure we can trust him. Will doesn’t even really believe in the gods, so he won’t sell us out to the Temple.”
“That might be true, but he also spent his life in the employment of the palace. Are you sure his loyalty is to you rather than to the woman currently sitting on the throne?”
“Yes, I’m sure. He’s my friend,” I say, slightly offended by Leon’s suggestions despite my own doubts. “That’s where his loyalty will lie.”
“A friend who helped keep you captive most of your life?” Leon says skeptically.
“Maybe he thought he had a good reason for holding me against my will,” I say, giving Leon a pointed look.
“Touché,” he says with a grimace. He turns to make his way back up the beach toward the others, gesturing for me to follow. Hyllus is looking in some rock pools with Tira—who’s as excited as I am to experience the seaside for the first time—but the others are waiting on the sand looking alert.
My conversation with Leon has only stoked my anxiety. Tira notices my quietness, falling into step beside me as we follow the directions to Will’s house.
“It’ll be nice to see him again,” Tira says casually. “Mom always said he was a good egg.”
My heart aches at her use of the past tense. “Yeah, she could always spot the good ones,” I say. Tira shares my sad smile.
“If you don’t mind…You can tell him about what happened to her, but I’d prefer not to get into it if we don’t have to, okay?” she says.
I nod. “Of course. Whatever you say.”
Tira wants to protect herself against the pain of that conversation, and I want to protect myself too. I’m afraid Will might not be the warm, safe place I remember him to be. I’ve been betrayed by so many people in my life since Gallawing. What if he just ends up being another one of them?
