Page 120 of The Trials of Ophelia

That devilish smirk remained on his lips as I took in this new cavern. With the mystlight stove in the corner warming the space and the long wooden table and chairs in the center, I almost could have believed we were aboveground in any common meeting chamber.

Everyone was waiting for us. Cypherion and Malakai were sprawled in chairs, and my heart jumped to see them together again and at ease. Santorina, Mila, and Esmond sat with them; a man I assumed was Esmond’s friend, Gatrielle, entertained their group with a story. His thick brown curls bounced as he spoke animatedly, hands waving.

At the head of the table, Jezebel and Vale spoke to a boy with shockingly bright red hair. He flashed a goofy grin at something my sister said.

“General.” I nodded to Mila as Tolek and I took seats at the table, his hand sliding around the back of my chair. “I’m glad you guys made it here safely. Thank you for coming to our aid.”

“Always, Revered,” she answered. I didn’t know her well, but I respected Mila for her dedication, history in the first war, and kindness to us all. The smile she gave me in return felt personal. Friendly.

“Have there been any updates from camp?” My fingers tightened around the hem of my tunic.

“Nothing since we left Pthole.” Mila looked between Tolek and me, adding, “I believe it’s good we have not heard. It means there’s more time to prepare our troops.”

Thanking her, I addressed the group at large. “Our army is under expert guidance with Lyria and the team of generals she’s recruited from the minor clans. I firmly believe we have nothing to worry over, but”—I squeezed Tol’s hand—“I’ll feel better once we arrive.”

He squeezed back.

“We should move as soon as possible,” Cyph agreed.

I nodded and exchanged quick hellos with Esmond and Gatrielle, then shifted my attention to the red-headed boy and smiled at him. “I suppose you’ll be able to explain a bit more about this?” I waved my hand around the room, then rose and leaned across the table, extending it to him. “I’m Ophelia, by the way.”

“I know.” He grinned back, cheeks turning pink. He must’ve been so young, his face retaining the roundness of childhood. He was perhaps only five years younger than myself, but I felt as though I’d aged twenty years in the past six months. “I’m Trevaneth.”

Despite his youth, he had a firm grip on my hand.

“Pleasure to meet you, and thank you for the…accommodations.” Thank you for allowing my friends to bring my unconscious body here when we fled the queen and they waited for me to heal.

“Of course,” Trevaneth said. “It’s really my father who is responsible, though. He left to gather supplies when the fae told us you might be seeking haven here. He should be back tomorrow.” I wondered why they trusted Lancaster so easily, but brushed it off.

Trevaneth straightened to his full height, as if remembering responsibility fell on his shoulders until his father returned. I couldn’t help but be curious about this boy, about how he ended up here and what he had seen at his young age. I hoped he held on to the innocence we’d all been robbed of.

“Can you tell me more about the Labyrinth?” I asked, leaning back in my seat.

Trevaneth’s eyes gleamed. “What do you want to know?” He pulled his own seat back and sank into it, leaning his elbows on the table.

“I assume you’ve explained some of it to my friends, but I truly don’t know much. They said there’s a faction of your clan who aren’t…under Kakias’s control?” I chose my words carefully, not wanting to strike any sensitive topics.

“Only about thirty percent of us.” His tone shifted, the blush fading quickly from his cheeks. “The rest are susceptible to her power. We don’t know much beyond that because those of us who aren’t corrupted segmented ourselves off.”

“Did that create a rift?” I asked softly.

Trevaneth shook his head, eyes downcast. “They hardly noticed.”

An ache went through my chest at his expression. The rest of the room was quiet. Discreetly, I turned my eyes to Tolek, but he shook his head. They didn’t know Trevaneth’s story either.

Giving the boy my full attention again, I cleared my throat. “I’m very sorry about that. I’m not sure how much my friends have told you, but you’re probably aware of the war and the two alliances.” He nodded, looking at me from beneath his lashes. “We’re going to do everything we can to free the Mindshapers from the queen’s clutches. I promise you.”

I promise you’ll get back whomever you think you’ve lost.

When the thought went through my mind, I turned and found Malakai already watching me. My father’s eyes flashed through my memory. The wicked queen had taken plenty from me. I’d do everything in my power to ensure she didn’t harm Trevaneth further.

“Thank you,” he said, round cheeks flushing again as Jezebel took the seat next to him and slung an arm around his shoulders.

“Tell her how this place works, Trev,” Tolek encouraged, and the boy lifted his chin, eyes a little brighter. Though they’d barely known him over a day, warmth spread behind my ribs to see them comfort him.

“The Labyrinth has been here since the days of Angels,” Trev began. I perked up, but let him continue. “It was always known tunnels existed but never the extent of them. Not until a few years ago when…well, many members of our clan were no longer acting like themselves. Small groups started hosting meetings down here, and eventually word spread among those of us not infected and our rebel faction was born.”

“How many of you are there?”

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