missed your breathing.’
‘Did you?’ Denser sat beside her, surprised at her willingness to talk. So often, this was the hardest thing for her. Seeing the grave brought everything back so clearly.
‘Everyone has to have something real,’ she said, pushing a strand of hair away from her mouth. ‘Something that’s there the next time you want it.’
‘And I’ll always be there.’
‘But I know why you’re here now. Right now.’
‘I assumed you would. You know he’s right, don’t you?’ asked Denser, looking for the flash of anger in her eyes. It wasn’t there. At least, not yet.
‘But no one asked me, did they? You all just assumed I’d go along. That I’d leave her here alone.’ She reached out a hand to pat the ground and the tears were there so suddenly. ‘How can you ask that of me? She’s my daughter.’
Denser put out an arm but Erienne shied away, wiping at her face with her fingers.
‘She’ll never be alone. She’ll be safe until you return, I’ll see to that.’
Erienne made a derisory sound in her throat. ‘Going to have one of the Protectors look after this bed, are you? It’ll be ruined in a day.’
Denser wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. ‘There are the Guild elves.’
‘If I’m not here, those witches will meddle. Spoil what I’ve done.’ There was the flash and it saddened Denser’s heart.
‘Erienne, they haven’t even the strength to walk here. Nerane can do it. She has the right touch, don’t you think?’
Erienne shrugged but said nothing, just stared down at the grave.
‘Erienne?’ She looked up at him. ‘Please? We need you. The Raven isn’t complete without you.’
‘You’d leave me, would you? If I said no?’
‘I’m Raven,’ said Denser.
‘You’re my husband first, you bastard!’ she snapped out. ‘But The Unknown snaps his fingers and you go running. Fine.’
‘When I asked for his help, he was there. For both of us,’ said Denser quietly. ‘And he left his family to do it. Balaia needs what we can give it.’
‘I’ve lost everything,’ said Erienne as if engaged in another conversation.
‘Not quite. There’s me, there’s The Raven and there’s Balaia. You’ll never lose me but we have to fight for our country.’
Erienne looked hard at him then, trying to discern any insincerity. ‘You really think The Raven can help, don’t you?’
‘Don’t you?’ replied Denser, and shrugged.
‘We don’t always win, do we?’ said Erienne, her voice threatening to break again.
‘No we don’t. But we’re there nonetheless.’
‘And you will go whether I do or not?’
‘Oh, love, it’s not a choice I want to make. But we’ve our lives together for ever and I want us to have a country to live in that’s worthy of you.’
‘Denser, you’re so honourable sometimes,’ she chided gently, a smile brief as a blink on her lips. ‘But you’re asking me to leave her and I don’t know that I can do that.’
‘You’ll be among your most trusted friends,’ said Denser, and this time she didn’t shy away from his arm but allowed him to draw her close. Denser felt a thrill at her beautiful wet hair smell so close to him. ‘Here, you’ll be alone. With us, you’ll never be so.’
‘I’ll be a burden. Hardly the Raven mage you all remember. I haven’t got concentration enough to heal a cut.’
‘You’ll be fine.’ Denser felt he was edging the argument. ‘And if you’re not with me, I’ll fear for you here.’
Erienne tensed and pulled away. ‘Another lever to get me off the island and away from my daughter. Convenient indeed.’
Denser cursed silently. ‘Don’t be angry, please. I don’t think The Unknown had much choice. They’d have come here sooner or later anyway. At least now they’ll do some good too.’
‘Like forcing me from here, you mean.’
‘Like freeing Protectors and helping dragons,’ said Denser more sharply than he’d intended. He took a breath and softened his tone. ‘Look, right now, no one but we and the Al-Drechar know what you carry. And one day I’m sure you’ll be open to the hope it offers. But if Xetesk finds out you have the spirit of the One within you, they’ll stop at nothing to exploit you. You know that.’
‘You’ve got all the cards, haven’t you?’ Erienne stood up and brushed herself down, her stare cold. ‘Bet you all think you’re being very clever, don’t you?’
‘Erienne, this isn’t about forcing you from Lyanna, surely you see that? It’s about—’
‘Fighting for bloody Balaia again. Yes, I know.’ Denser all but flinched at the hardness in her tone. ‘Well look where