Defy the Sun (Beware the Night #2) - Jessika Fleck Page 0,6
since.” But then I remember. That last night we saw each other … What had she said that made me smile? She had two things, maybe a third, to tell me? But she didn’t get the chance. “My Sun.”
“Pretty much.”
“She should be heir. By lineage. By the laws of Bellona.” I’m nearly shouting.
“Well”—Dorian laughs under his breath—“I mean, it’s not like she’d be welcomed. We’re pretty sure Raevald had already put two and two together when he planned to have her executed. Not exactly a long-lost granddaughter’s welcome.”
“No … of course not. Had he known any earlier, the High Regent would have had her killed for simply sullying his name. The family line tainted.”
He crosses his arms. “You Dogio really take the whole ‘keep it in the family’ thing seriously, eh?”
“Not all of us,” I say through gritted teeth. Then something else occurs to me. “What about Veda’s mother?”
“One of us. A spy. Killed by the Imperi not too long after Veda’s birth.”
I shake my head. If Raevald knows that’s the case, that Veda’s mother was not only Basso but a member of the Night, it is a miracle Veda’s alive … assuming she still is. I force a deep breath, quickly move on. “And the other part?” I ask. “The … Lunalette?”
Dorian looks me up and down. “You think you can walk a few steps with my help?”
“My legs are fine. Walking isn’t the problem, it’s the getting-up part that makes me want to stab someone.”
“Good thing you don’t have any weapons then.”
An airy laugh that surprises us both sneaks out of my mouth. “Indeed.”
I agree to the help, and it takes us an excruciating amount of time to get me from sitting to standing, but I do it. No way I’d have been able to get there without his help. No idea how I’ll ever sit back down, but I’ll worry about that later.
My eyes sting from the pain—my back and chest are nothing but daggers. But I’m walking. Slowly. One foot in front of the other, each labored step a pile of needles traveling straight up my spine and to my injury. My muscles are weak, my senses dizzy from lack of movement and that damn tea. But I’m moving.
Dorian takes me out of the cave I’ve been in the past three days and helps me down a short distance through a tunnel. He pauses as we pass one particular cave entrance, the sign outside reads: SOLDIERS. But he keeps going, and I don’t ask.
“There are other prisoners down here, yes?” I ask, and he nods. “Where?”
“There aren’t many … Only a few Imperi soldiers we’ve captured during battles. They’re on the other side of the Lower. In caves that have doors and locks.”
“Why am I not there too?”
He eyes me like I should know the answer. And maybe I do. “You know you’re valuable. You’re a prisoner, but with … perks, I guess.”
Ah, yes. I know they need me. Or, at least, would like to have my support, the heir’s support. I’m about to press him further when he abruptly stops in front of a pile of candles. Above the candles is a photo. Her photo. Mementos. Letters. Countless blessings and prayers. All for “The Lunalette.” When I glance at Dorian, I catch more candles, more altars, a string of them lining the length of the tunnel … all for Veda, the Lunalette.
I want to drop to my knees, but the screaming in my back prevents it.
Instead, I focus in on one blessing in particular: a tiny glass fish. Then I spot another. And another.
And I know. Despite the jealousy, the envy burning its way between my ribs that Dorian was able to know Veda differently. In an entirely new light. Far beyond anything I’ve known. I shove all of that down. Now is not the time.
Because in this moment I know … he wants to find her, bring her back safe and sound as much as I do.
And that makes him my greatest ally down here.
* * *
FIVE HASH MARKS.
I’m feeling stronger, and for the first time I actually walk with Dorian to the cave where everyone eats.
The way there is fine—I’m more energized than I’ve felt since getting hurt, thrilled to be out of that tiny cave. It’s so exciting, I don’t even mind terribly that my hands are bound. I get it. I’m the enemy in their eyes. But I can’t worry over that because I’m so thrilled I can walk farther than