depths of the earth with no end in sight.
“Those born of Fargelsi draw our power from nature,” Neeve explained. “But we do rely on spoken spells and words of power for much of what we do. It is different in the other realms.”
“So, Griff lied about that too?” Brea frowned. Was there no end to the lies? The musty smells and constant dripping grated on her nerves.
“I do not know his motives.”
Brea followed in silence, her thoughts a tumble of chaos. It didn’t matter if Griff cared for her. He’d told her Myles was dead when that might not be true. That was unforgivable.
White noise rushed to fill Brea’s ears.
“The waterfalls,” Neeve called over the roaring din. “We’re nearly to the river.” Neeve’s skirts dragged across the damp stones and muck as they began to climb.
Finally, moonlight illuminated their path as they crossed under the falls. Brea carefully followed Neeve’s footsteps to avoid the deluge. Hopping from stone to boulder, they made their way past the waterfall to the river’s edge just below the great palace. Sounds of the party—in full swing now—floated down to them.
“They won’t notice you’re gone until late morning.” Neeve spoke a few odd words, and the flame of her torch died.
“You have to teach me that trick someday.” Brea rushed to keep up with her friend’s pace. “But something tells me it’s a little more complicated than Lumos and Nox.”
“There you go with your silly words.” Neeve chuckled. “I will miss that.”
“Then come with me,” Brea begged. Truth be told she was terrified of traveling a strange land alone—through miles of swamp no less.
“I can do more good here than I can out there, Brea. I’m nobody here. The small things I do to fight the injustices in Gelsi matter to my people. In some ways, I’m all they have.”
“I want to be you when I grow up.” Brea huffed and puffed behind the small woman. Weeks of rich foods, wine, and too little exercise had sapped Brea’s stamina.
“Hurry, we’re nearly to the meeting place.”
“This friend of yours is trustworthy?” Brea jogged along the rocky riverbank to catch up.”
“Moira? I trust her with my life.”
“Is she your girlfriend?”
“My intended you mean?”
“Why can’t a woman just have a passing flirtation with a pretty girl or a cute guy and it not end in a walk down the aisle?” Brea muttered under her breath.
“Moira might be my wife someday. When we are free.”
“Neeve?” a feminine voice called from the darkness.
“Here, Moira.” She picked up her skirts and ran to the woman who’d risked a great deal to meet them in the dead of night.
Brea held back to give the two lovers a moment of reunion. She imagined they didn’t get to see each other often.
“Come, Brea. We must hurry,” Neeve called a moment later.
“My Lady.” Moira gave a curt bow and offered her a dark cloak. “This will help shield your face and keep you warm. It can get cold in the swamps.”
“Thank you, and please call me Brea.” She slipped the cloak over her shoulders and lifted the hood over her head. “Thank you for the horses. I know you took a great risk in coming here.”
“Anything for Neeve.” Moira gave her intended a devilish wink. “She’s a tough one, my girl. You’re safe with her, and you’d do well to follow her instructions to the letter. She’s always right. It’s frustrating.” She grinned, dipping into an awkward curtsy for Brea.
Brea watched them. The way they respected each other it was clear this couple was on an even footing in their relationship. Moira didn’t coddle Neeve or insist she needed protecting. She was confident in her ability to help Brea flee Fargelsi.
I want that kind of relationship someday. She lifted herself into the saddle, grateful for the cloak.
“Keep to the back southern roads. Travel well, and may you return to me quickly, my love.” Moira waved as Neeve and Brea charged into the night.
They rode hard for several silent hours before Neeve took the east road toward the marshes. Brea could smell a hint of brine in the air. It reminded her of the ocean she’d once visited with her family. In the years before her sanity issues became a big problem, her family used to take a rare vacation every few years. Some of her fondest memories with her family were from that vacation to the beach.
Neeve slowed to a stop when the road ran out. “This is where I leave you.” She slipped down