Every part of me wants to believe him—needsto believe him, but hope feels dangerous right now. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because I refuse to accept any other outcome. I’ve already lost too much to my brother’s ambition. I won’t lose you too.” The conviction in Jasce’s words settles over me, and for the first time since those men died by my hand, the tension in my shoulders eases.
I pull back, my gaze darting around the strange, shimmering room. “Where are we?”
“This is The Elemental.”
“What is The Elemental?”
“It’s a sacred space between realms. A meeting place for those who need it most. The old texts speak of it, but I never thought...” He shakes his head.
“But how are we here? I don’t understand.”
The lines across Jasce’s brow deepen as he reaches for my hand, fingers wrapping around the turquoise ring. “I wonder if it’s because you’re wearing this ring.”
“Zerah gave it to me. She said it belonged to your mother.”
His thumb traces the smooth stone. “It did. But I never knew it held this kind of power. Though, I should have guessed. My mother always said it was special.”
As I look around the room again, the elements continue their dance—fire, water, earth, air, light, and shadow—all existing in perfect harmony.
If only all Tarrobane existed like this—in harmony—instead of warring against each other.
“Your sister saved my life when she gave me this ring.” I cover his hand with mine, feeling the warmth of his skin against my palm. “She knew exactly what I needed, even when I didn’t.”
“Zerah is intuitive.”
“She is a true friend,” I say, and I mean it with all my heart.
As I settle back against Jasce, a thought strikes me, and I voice it out loud. “How long does this last? Will I be transported back to Bakva at any moment?”
“I’m not entirely sure. The legends are vague, but I believe it may last until we fall asleep.”
“Then, I’m never going to fall asleep.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Annora
Time slips awaylike water through my fingers as Jasce and I talk.
“Remember that time you caught me drawing in the garden?” I trace the lines of his palm, memorizing every callus and scar.
“You were sketching the sunrise,” he says as he threads his fingers through mine. “But you got so lost in your art that you didn’t notice the storm coming.”
“Until you appeared with that ridiculous blanket.”
“It kept you dry, didn’t it?”
“Yes.” I shift against him and change the subject to him. To wanting to carry a piece of his world back with me. “Tell me about your day.”
He describes training with Reeve and Jude, council meetings, and the way the Sharhavva palace feels emptier without me there. And as he continues speaking, his voice rumbles through his chest. I close my eyes, letting the sound wash over me.
“I miss waking up next to you,” I say after a while. “The way you always steal all the blankets.”
“I do not steal them.” He feigns offense, but a smile tugs at his lips. “You’re the one who wraps yourself in them like a cocoon.”
“At least I don’t snore.”
