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He returns to the driver’s seat and whips the horses into a fast trot. We’re thrown so hard against the bars Akilah’s body can’t take it and she’s knocked out. I cradle her close. Her pulse is erratic—

Wind thickens around us, cold and heavy, yet I don’t even shiver. The horses whinny as they brace against the force of it. I clutch Akilah, stiffening at the strong metallic undertones. Not a natural wind. Aggressive. Insistent.

The cage rocks back and forth as the horses struggle to move a step. The redcloak cracks his whip again and again and—

A black-hooded figure spirals down to land on the cage roof. He’s a flash of movement as he jumps atop the redcloak. “Soil yourself.” He knocks him unconscious and drops him to the road. Wind dissipates as he takes control of the reins and swiftly urges the horses into a canter.

We take a side road east, bumping over rocks and releasing the scent of flowering weeds. When there’s a good distance between us and the abandoned redcloak, the hooded figure glances over his shoulder, gaze dark with relief. Our eyes lock and I take a strangely steady breath.

He came.

He returns his focus to the road and pushes the horses on.

We wend through narrow lanes, up over the hills and around forested cliffs. At an empty hunting cabin, magic bursts the cage lock and Silvius carries Akilah, still unconscious, inside. A sliver of sunlight sneaks in through dusty glass to reveal a stone fireplace, cobwebbed chairs, and a dented bench. Damp wood and old soot and a glass jar of forgotten nuts surrounded by mouse droppings.

I sweep my cloak over the bench and Silvius settles Akilah atop it.

“Let me unseal you,” he says, and instinctively I laugh, shaking my head.

Silvius frowns. “It won’t cost me much.” He reaches up and thumbs my forehead. “I’ve more magic than most.”

I sidestep, laughing more vigorously.

I capture his thumb and hold tight, voice dancing, light. “Don’t. Father was right. Look what happened to Akilah already. ToRiver.HowdareI try to heal again.”

“You’ll leave your friend like this?” Silvius says.

I lower his fingers towards Akilah. “I’ll teach you how to help her.”

He searches my eyes, then inclines his head.

I scour the forest for herbs and make them into a tea. This should help against the infection, but it would be better if... I look over tendrils of steam to Silvius watching the pot. “Have you had iqi husk tea recently?”

His eyes lift to mine. “Every day.”

I can’t hold his gaze; quickly focus on filtering the tea. When it’s ready, he drinks the bitter concoction and I walk him through the steps. He calls up a green flame and channels it through her. When the flame is exhausted, I read her pulse.

Silvius touches my shoulder. “Will she be alright? Are you?”

I force myself to my feet, and my voice slides out merrily. “She’ll wake up soon.”

We move out into the fresh air, Silvius unsure what to say, where to start, as I skip towards an outcrop overlooking forest and farmland. There are two ancient luminariums in the valleys, along with a dozen rivers and canals crisscrossing the land. Our legs swing over the edge, and the freedom of it has me giggling. From the cage tothis.

My gaze falls on the canal where Akilah and I had struggled to manoeuvre Quin’s boat, where vespertines attacked us, where Silvius saved the day and... where we adopted River.

“I’m sorry,” Silvius murmurs.

My fingers dig against rock as I laugh harder.

He shifts his arm in an awkward way that has my laughter turning into hiccups. I grab his wrist and read his pulse. He’s injured.

He pulls back. “It’s nothing.” I command him to summon thornwort to his palm and he curls his fingers closed. “Let me suffer.”

The thickness of his remorse has my mouth contorting into a strange smile. He wants to feel this pain. Needs to.

I shift and snicker at the snaking river far below my feet. “How did you do it? Arrange a palace decree?”

Silvius cranes his neck towards wispy clouds and a flock of dark birds. “I asked my brother for help.”