Page 110 of The Freedom You Seek

“Maybe never.”

“I know that too.”

Then we were silent. Horrible visions raced through my head like a midsummer storm back home—hot, sudden, and deadly. Both Fig and I were able to comprehend how bad this was. Could I—couldwe—defy thispolitesummons? Bile climbed up my throat just thinking about it, and for a moment, I was back to being the helpless youngling on the day I’d been told that my father had been convicted of my mother’s assassination. Squinting my eyes and massaging my temples, I pushed the sensation away and concentrated on the here and now. “Do the others already know about this?”

“No, you’re the first.”

“How long still until we’ll reach Amalach?”

“A little under a fortnight. And that’s only if we keep the stops to an absolute minimum. What’s your estimation of how long it’ll take before he sends soldiers?”

“Hard to tell. I’ve never defied him before. So anything from zero fucking minutes to a few days or weeks while he’s preparing the punishment. Plus the time they need to locate us, considering how long it took for this letter to arrive.”

“We need to talk to the others. At first, without Nayana and her friends present.”

“If you assemble the others, I’ll make sure we won’t be disturbed.”

Fig nodded, and I got up, striding back into the room where I’d left the sleeping females while trying to digest the clusterfuck of a situation that was at hand.

Nayana was sitting on the bed, still in her nightgown and nursing the canteen. She looked like she was at death’s door, and even so, she was absolutely stunning. For the first time since I’d read the letter, I was able to take a full breath again, thanks to that woman.

“You’re up.”

“Barely.”

“Where’s your friend?”

“Talking to Bryon. Giving me time to decide if I’ll live or die.”

Despite all the turmoil, I had to smile. “Drink some more water. Nap another hour.”

“We’ll have to leave soon, don’t we?”

I nodded, contemplating the best course of action. Binding her to the bed would have been the easiest option, but I dismissed the thought outright. The situation had become dire, and we had to avoid in-fighting between all of us—it was more vital than before. So I stalked over to her and gently took her hands in mine.

“Nayana, I need you to stay in here for another hour.” Even I was surprised at how serious I sounded.

“Why, Dion?”

“Do you trust me?”

I watched the gears in her head turn, and my heart was about to crack open at the possibility she’d say no when she nodded. “I suppose I do.”

“Then I’ll need you to stay here until I come back. Can I also count on you?”

Again, she contemplated before nodding once more. “Under one condition.”

“What condition?”

“That we’ll soon have a serious talk about the Rite of Binding, where you don’t run away or deflect.”

Gods, what had I done wrong to deserve that every single problem in existence was piled on me today?

“We’ll have that talk. It’s a promise.” I’d have vowed almost anything to keep her in the room, but of course, she’d found one of the things I’d rather not have to commit to.

“Good, then you have yourself a deal.”

I nodded and turned to the door.