Page 96 of The Threadbare Queen

“I’ve asked your father to watch him closely and see what he takes out of the cart when he comes to find me.”

“What if it’s small, like something that fits in his pocket?”

Ava grimaced. “That would be extremely unfortunate.” Because if they were going to reach the border by tomorrow, she didn’t have time to get stronger. She’d have to run, no matter how weak she felt.

“I’ll watch, too. My da can’t see what things have magic on them, but I can.”

Ava slowly leaned over and lay on her side, propping herself up on an elbow so she could look at Melodie’s face. “I am like you. And I know it’s hard to believe looking at me now, but I was very strong, in my magic and in my body.” She held Melodie’s fascinated gaze for a long beat. “Sirna got me anyway. Yes, he used tricks, and things stolen from my home, but he got me. If he wants to get you, even with your father standing in his way, he might just succeed. I don’t say this to frighten you, but to warn you to be very, very careful. Because if anything happened to you while you were helping me, it will be a burden I’ll bear for the rest of my life.”

Melodie returned the stare. “You spoke to my da, didn’t you? About me? About how we can keep me safe and still help people?”

Ava gave a nod.

“That was good. I won’t put myself in danger. Sirna doesn’t notice me, anyway. He thinks I’m nothing more than an ann . . . annoyance.” She stumbled over the big word, then smiled when she got it right. Then she cocked her head. “Da’s calling me.” She scrambled for the entrance, then paused and gave Ava’s foot a comforting pat. “Don’t worry about not being strong anymore. You sparkle brighter every day. It’s beautiful.”

With a wiggle, she was out.

Ava stared after her, hoping beyond anything that what she saw was true.

* * *

Ava grimacedas muddy water ran over her legs.

She hoped Sirna found her soon.

She had lain down beside the narrow stream, in a pretence of collapse, but the heavy rains had swollen its banks in the twenty minutes since she’d been there, and the water pushed at her, dirty and cold.

She heard a faint shout coming from the trees, and closed her eyes, hoping the bank would hold long enough for them to arrive, or she was going in the water.

The rain was still relentless, although at least the wind had died down.

“Avasu!” The shout came from Gregor, and Ava made sure she was completely limp as the search group reached her.

“Let’s get her up.” Gregor bent over her, and with the addition of his and Sirna’s weight, the bank finally gave way.

Ava landed in the swirling, freezing water, and opened her eyes.

Sirna had gone into the water with her and Gregor, and he went under, then came up spluttering.

Gregor planted his feet, still hanging onto her, then he lifted her up like a child in his arms and stood firm as debris flowed all around him.

Sirna was flaying his arms, trying to get purchase with his feet.

He was holding a baby’s dress in his hand—her baby dress, she realized—and he let it go to push away a branch with sharp points that came at him. The movement toppled him over and he went under again.

Ava leaned over in Gregor’s arms and snatched the tiny dress up as it floated on the surface, curling into Gregor’s chest with it balled in her hands.

Sirna came up with a shout.

“Did he see me—?” She kept herself turned away from Sirna, her body shielding the Focus.

“No.” Gregor waited a moment, then took it from her and palmed it into the pocket of his big coat. “You all right, Sirna?”

Sirna swore, and with a grunt, Gregor waded downstream a little way and then climbed back up onto dry land, holding her as if she weighed no more than Melodie.

Reckhart appeared out of the rain and darkness and pushed past them to put a hand out to Sirna, who must have been following behind.

He struggled up on hands and knees, head bowed.

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