however, she continued, the gods would be angry. Even if they didn‘t send the other White after me, they might still be able to punish me. Consider the ring I wear. If they can make me immortal through it, perhaps they can kill me through it too. I don’t even know what effect taking it off would have. At the least I would no longer be immortal. I would age and die. Forgive me if I think staying here and accepting whatever punishment they choose is the better option.
:But you are…
With an effort, he made himself stop. He desperately wanted to tell her that she could make herself immortal, that all it took was a different application of his healing method. He wanted to warn her that she was a Wild, and the gods might kill her just for that.
Yet he also realized that she was right: the gods would not risk that her death would shake Circlian belief in the gods’ infallibility. They must have known she was strong enough to be a potential Wild. What did it matter when she was a White?
Once again he felt the excitement of a sudden insight. The gods knew that more Wilds were likely to arise over time. Powerful sorcerers tended to become priests and priestesses. Did this enable them to ensure Wilds never reached their potential? Had they chosen Auraya simply to control her? Were the other White potential Wilds, too?
:I am what? she asked.
His thoughts were racing. The other White hadn’t manifested any unique powers. Only Auraya had. Now she had shown herself to be capable of rebellion. Worse still, she had rebelled in order to protect another Wild. The gods must be torn between the consequences of getting rid of her and the risks of letting her live. And she was aware of none of this.
Which might be the only thing that saved her.
He had two choices: leave her ignorant and gamble that the gods would not harm her so long as she was unaware of her true nature, or try to persuade her to flee with him. She was too distrustful of him and bound to the gods and the White. She would not believe him if he told her his suspicions—at least not straight away. Even if she did and left with him, he would be taking her away from the life she loved into a life of danger.
:Mirar? she asked. What were you saying?
:That you are a braver person than I, he said. Thank you for sparing my life. I hope I can repay you one day.
:Don’t thank me yet, Mirar, she told him.
:No? Are the other White coming to catch me?
She did not answer.
:All I can promise you is that if you are found your death will be quick. And permanent.
She broke the link. Opening his eyes, he saw that he was surrounded by mist turned white by the faint light of the coming dawn. He shivered, but not from the cold.
Her last words were a warning. She could not help him. The other White were coming. He must get away, and quickly. The mist would hide him from any Siyee that might be searching for him. Standing up, he stretched and started through the trees.
* * *
Sunlight glittered off the waves, setting Reivan’s eyes smarting. The night had been long and uncomfortable but the day wasn’t going to be any better, if the growing heat of the sun was any indication.
I’m grumpy, Reivan thought. It’s lack of sleep and being stuck in a small boat for most of a day. That would make anyone grumpy.
Whenever she thought of Imi she forgot discomfort and weariness. The princess hadn’t returned the previous afternoon so they had remained in the boat all night. Imenja sat in the prow, silent and watchful. Now she turned to Reivan.
“What would you advise, Reivan?” Imenja murmured. “Should we go to shore and search for her, or return to the ship?”
Reivan considered. “We promised to take her home. We also agreed to stay out of Si. That doesn’t mean we can’t row in close to shore to look for her. So long as we don’t set foot on dry land they can’t accuse us of invading.”
Imenja chuckled. “No. I doubt the Siyee will see it that way. They will…” She frowned and looked up. “Ah.”
Reivan followed the Voice’s gaze. Farther east, three tiny specks moved in the sky toward the seaward horizon.