Page 117 of Keeper of the Word

“Tomorrow,” they said in unison. Elanna’s arm lowered, and the Edan Stone fell into the grass.

“I cannot believe ’tis come to this.” Elanna stifled a sob. “Shroud Magic has not been used in centuries.”

Tara nodded. “Aye. But even after the shroud andwordhave been sealed into the moonstone, we do not know for certain that we will be required to use it,” Tara said, inclining her head to the Edan Stone. “Asalle might yet be saved. The future is never finite.”

“We both know ’tis becoming more so. Would that we could See more.”

“Aye. We shall need to be valiant in our vigilance.”

“And that is where I come in,” Hux said, stepping out of the shadows. Elanna’s cheeks flushed; she hoped the darkness hid them from Tara’s notice.

“Lady Tara, we finally meet.” Hux gave a slight bow.

“You must be Hux. I’m told you may know the city well.”

Hux beamed. “I have become familiar with some of its boroughs. Both the elite and the less savory. For all the talk of this glittering city, I’ve discovered Asalle is not quite the pristine place of fairy tales.”

“Glad I am you can aid us,” Tara said, waving for Goodsell, Joss, and the others to join them. “We need to find the whereabouts of the witch whom Elanna noted at the festival.”

Chapter

Forty-Three

TOLVAR

He sat in a white room. The walls had been whitewashed, the wooden floor, too. A singular window admitted a beam of sunlight. Tolvar couldn’t deduce what was on the outside.

He felt no pain.

There was no mark on his shoulder or thigh. His head didn’t throb.

The pain will return. When you awake.

“Sloane?” Tolvar’s eyes watered.

On the opposite side of the room, in a chair that appeared to be made of holly—’twas white as well—sat the small personage of Sloane. His Sloane. Her dark hair was plaited as it’d always been, and her enormous dark eyes twinkled.

To behold her caused him to ache.

He dared not speak, frightened that if he did, she would disappear. She, too, focused on him as if she yearned to memorize his features.

You need not study me so. I know you have me memorized. I, too, carry your memory.She softly brought her hand to her chest.Here.I wait for you.

“Am I dead?”

She shook her head.You are in quite a mess, however. Do you e’er wonder if you should have stayed? With her. You gave your word.

“King Rian sent me here.” Tolvar unknit his eyebrows. Even if this was a dream, he did not want to spoil it by glowering at Sloane.

Did you not volunteer? Under the guise of aiding your sovereign so that you could track down your brother? Is it not time to stop seeking revenge?

“Not all of us are as forgiving as you, Sloane. What Joah did to you…I still cannot wrap my mind around.”

’Twas my forgiveness to give. You needn’t worry about Joah. I forgave him that day.

A single teardrop streamed down Tolvar’s cheek.That day.

“What would you have me do?”