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“ I don’t know. He just gave it to me,” I told Claire. She seemed as shocked as I was about Jarrett’s actions.

“And it’s the right mixture?” Claire asked, perching herself on the edge of her bed.

“It smells as awful as I remember and has the same color.” I shrugged.

“I can’t believe you snuck up there. You should have at least told me so I could watch your back.”

It felt good to see her spirits lifted. And I knew my plan to help her was a wise one.

“I’ve been feeling helpless enough lately,” I said. “And I know you are extra tired, even if you won’t tell me.” I hoped she wouldn’t be bitter, but I didn't want to put her at risk. “We’ve got the elixir now. Please don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad. I just don’t want to lose my only friend.” She gave me a stern look. “We are in this together. Keep me informed so I can help.”

“I promise,” I said. “It’s just that we still have a lot to figure out, and there is a chance this could all come to nothing ... I don’t want to disappoint you.”

“There are worse things than disappointment,” she said, then paused and rolled her lips together. “I thought you had given up on trying to escape after the Slip ... I was worried. I’m just happy you are back.”

I put on the most convincing smile, glad that I decided to keep working on a plan for her—even if I didn’t disclose I had little faith it would turn out so well for me.

She looked down at the bottle in her hand and back up. Her face gleamed. “We have the elixir!”

“It’s only the first step, but it is something,” I said.

“Nova, it’s a big step. I don’t think you realize how brave you are.” She sounded sincere. “I want to help. You know we can do more together. Tell me what else is on your list.”

“Well ...” I gave a mischievous smile. “There has to be a map of the Shadow Wilds somewhere in this fortress. I’m hunting for that next.”

“And what can I do?” she asked.

“Keep an eye out for an Ashloran torch. I know we have the elixir, but I’d feel much safer about keeping the Slips at a distance with a torch or two.”

It felt good to have my focus trained on plotting Claire’s escape. I didn’t allow the success of getting the elixir to delude me into thinking my freedom was near, but just actively planning had brought me out of the darkest of despair.

When the opportunity presented itself, Claire set up on the opposite side of the guests’ floor to watch the back entrance. I spent all of my spare time searching the library for a map.

I was tucked deep in an aisle, re-shelving a leather bound manuscript, when footsteps approached.

I turned to see Devrix.

He stopped a few paces away, his eyes trailing over me, catching on my slung arm.

Straightening, I wiped my right palm on my frock, and waited for him to have the first word.

“I can give you something for the pain,” he said.

What? I almost poisoned him, and he is offering to help me.

I gave a small nod. “I’m so sorry.” The words seemed insufficient compared to what I felt, but what else could I offer?

His eyes flickered, tracing the lines of my face, searching for the answer to a puzzle.

After a long stillness, he asked, “Who are you really?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you my enemy … friend … lover?” he asked.

My chest tightened at the latter. “I am not your enemy. That, I know.” How could I be? I sacrificed my life for him.

For another long moment, he measured me, deliberated.

“I hoped that was the case. Because as much as I was angry with you for bringing danger so close, you also stopped it.” His mouth pinched to one side as he processed his next words, then he continued, “The entire situation has left me confused. You have left me confused, and I can’t stop thinking about it … about you.”

Hearing those words sent my heart tripping over itself.

“I wouldn’t have done it …” I moved closer so he could see the truth in my eyes.

“Even if you hadn’t brought me news about Clay, or if we hadn’t …

” I swallowed, remembering our kiss. “I wouldn’t have gone through with it.

” My heart knew it all along; it just took my thinking side longer to catch up. “I’m sorry I let it go that far.”

“Thank you.” He tucked his hands in his pockets and stepped closer. “Nova, I don’t blame you. I was surprised … and thrown off. I sensed the gift from Jesmine was out of character, but I was also distracted.”

He took another step until we were only a hand’s width apart.

I resisted the sudden urge to reach out and place my hand on his chest. “I didn’t want to do it. I tried to refuse, but …” The chaos of emotions I felt that evening was too much. How can I even explain?

He let out a sigh and looked over his shoulder, likely making sure we weren’t overheard.

“Nova, as soon as you closed the door, I realized my anger had been misplaced. But I didn’t know where to find you.

Then I heard you had been locked in your room.

The next morning, I mentioned the bottle had slipped and acted like nothing unusual had taken place.

I hoped the excuse would ease whatever punishment you were being dealt.

Jesmine pretended to believe me, but I sensed she was suspicious, so I left for Ohmlora as planned.

I didn’t think it was wise to stay under the roof of someone who was trying to have me murdered. ”

“It’s good that you left,” I said. “But you shouldn’t have returned.”

“The king was updated on the situation and offered to send someone else back in my place … but I needed to see this through.” He reached up and softly traced my cheek with his thumb.

My eyes pulled closed as I soaked in his gentle touch. I didn’t want the moment to end and wasn’t sure how I had let myself develop such a fondness for the Ashlora man before me.

“There is more I would like to tell you. Is there somewhere we can meet that is safe?” he asked.

“The sitting room, the one where you found me enjoying the view.”

He nodded. “I’ll meet you there in an hour.” He reached for my right hand and slowly lifted it, tenderly placing a kiss against my knuckles.

My silly little heart skipped a beat as I watched him walk away.

The sun was setting as I paced in front of the three tall windows.

I was eager to see Devrix. He had forgiven me.

The words he said in the library ... It was more than I had dreamed of, and I replayed his confession every minute since he left my side.

I didn’t know what I had done to deserve his affection, but that didn’t mean I didn’t crave every drop he would offer.

A light knock sounded near the open doorway, and Devrix stepped inside, softly closing the door behind him.

“I brought you some medicine. It should help you heal faster, but only take it at night, as it can make you rather sluggish.” He held out a vial of brown liquid.

“Even with this, your shoulder will be tender for another week, so try to keep your movement at a minimum until it’s healed. ”

“Thank you.” I said, pocketing the tincture and taking a seat on the wide blue bench below the window.

He lowered himself into the gold upholstered chair facing me. “About what Jesmine did to you … with the Slip …” His brow creased with concern. “When I received word of her plan, it was too late.” He let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to stop it.”

His attention drifted to the view beyond the window, worry weighing on his face.

Then his eyes turned back to me. “She is determined to catch as many Slips as she can for her experiments. I can’t let that happen.

” He paused. “I’m trying to help the Shadorites …

and Slips.” His confession hung heavy in the air.

“What? Why?” I asked, confused. “The Slips are awful. They want to take over and kill everyone. Even the one that possessed me was a nasty and evil thing. Both of our people went to war to stop them. Why would you want to help them?”

Devrix slowly shook his head. “When the war started, there weren’t any Slips. We created them by slaughtering the Shadorites. Slips are the vengeful souls of Shadorites killed in the war.”

“But …” Is that right? Maybe … “Well, the Shadorites were trying to take over before then,” I argued.

His lips formed a tight line before he replied, “That is just a story fed to us by those in charge. It’s not the truth.

In fact, the Shadorites were content with their land of trees and shadows.

It was the humans and Ashlora who wanted to expand into their wooded territory.

” He leaned closer, bracing his elbows on his knees.

“Ultimately, we banned together and annihilated them, wanting what was not ours. The Shadorites who escaped were trapped in caves. But the souls of those less fortunate remained: shadow souls—Slips. Angry spirits, unable to rest, and determined to make sure we could never use the land we massacred them for.”

Could what he said be true? I didn’t know. He gauged my reaction as I considered his words.

He continued, “There are Shadorites that still live in the caves. Living beings like you and me, only born with a black tongue and their natural ability to read minds. But not evil. Not corrupted like the Slips you’ve encountered.”

“You’ve seen them? The Shadorites?” I asked.

He nodded. “The current Ashlora king regrets the actions of his predecessors. He believes the Shadorites should be reunited with their land. And I agree. The Shadorites deserve to return to their home, and the Slips deserve to rest, not linger in some bodiless half existence and haunt these lands.”

“That can’t all be true.” I muttered, contemplating everything I’d been taught.

“I’m sorry, but it is. My operation is delicate, so I am sure you understand the need for secrecy.”

“Why you? Why are you so invested in this?”