Page 38 of Requiem of Silence

Darvyn’s stare was full of dismay. He cupped her cheek in a palm. “When I got you off that table in the Physicks’ headquarters, I made a promise to myself that we wouldn’t be separated. I couldn’t keep it when I was collared while you awaited execution, but I bloody well sure am going to keep it now. When I said that we weren’t sleeping apart, I meant it.” He released her face and crossed his arms to match her stance, digging his heels in.

Kyara’s jaw tightened as he continued. “I know I can’t sing in the caves, I understand all of that, but it doesn’t matter. If you’re going, I’m going, too.”

“But what about your work here? The refugees, the queen’s plan for unification? You can’t just up and leave with no notice.”

“Who says I can’t? I’m not a Keeper anymore, I choose what I do now. There are others who can help.”

“I just mean…” She took a breath. “It’s dangerous, and I can’t have anything happening to you.” Her breathing was getting more difficult, she stuttered and almost choked on the words. “I can’t risk you.”

He pulled her to him, touching their foreheads. “I feel the same way. Which is why I can’t let you go off to train with strangers you distrust by yourself.”

“But you’ll be powerless there.”

“Are you saying you don’twantme to come?”

Her jaw trembled; she tried to breathe deeply. The thought of being without him for so long was terrifying, but she’d lived a whole life before she met him. If she told him she didn’t want him, maybe he would listen and back off. But she couldn’t give voice to the lie.

“I didn’t think so,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter what I want, I won’tletyou come.”

He tilted his head back and grinned, reminding her of the first time she’d seen him in a small, darkened pub a world away. She’d felt it even then, this pull. It hadn’t gotten any weaker.

“You’ll disable me? Knock me out and sever my connection to my Song?”

She pressed her lips together. He knew very well she’d never do that again.

“I know how to go east.” His voice was gentle. “I remember where the crystal city was, at the edge of Serpent’s Gorge. If you try to leave me here, I’ll go back there. Wander through the caves until I find you. You can’t leave me behind so easily.”

“You don’t understand,” she began.

“No, I think I do. I understand very well. I lost you twice.” His dark eyes flashed, all mirth gone from them. “I won’t do it again. It would be different if you truly didn’t want me there, but barring that, you’re going to have a hard time getting rid of me, Kyara.”

The pendant around his neck glinted in the low lamplight. He’d had it soldered back together, the two halves of the Master of Jackals sigil that had brought them together. Responsible and courageous, the Jackal was. Just like Darvyn.

He leaned toward her, capturing her lips. Relief bled through her worry for him. He was the Shadowfox, but stripped of his Song in the caves, he was just a man. And she would have to ensure his safety. No matter what the Cavefolk or anyone else tried to do, she couldn’t allow him to come to harm.

Not when he was all she had.

They rose in the predawn hours and got ready silently. Kyara packed food for the journey, while Darvyn made his telephone calls, organizing things during his absence. Soon enough Erryl arrived and drove them back to the city. He dropped them off once again at Ella’s townhome.

Little Ulani’s face when she met the Shadowfox was priceless. Her joy cut through the pall of gloom and worry for her sister, and for that, Kyara was glad.

“You decided to let her come?” Kyara asked Ella, as Ulani fawned all over Darvyn.

“She told me she had a dream that she needed to be there when we find Tana.” Ella shook her head. “If it was any other child I’d think she was making things up to get her way, but Ulani doesn’t lie. She often knows or senses things that I can’t explain. I’m notsure if it’s because of her Song or something else, but I told her she could come. Honestly, I don’t want either of them out of my sight.”

Kyara pursed her lips. “She won’t be able to sing in the caves, but I will watch out for her, too.” Ella gave a grateful smile. Kyara wasn’t certain of the wisdom of allowing a small child to join them, but it wasn’t her call. Darvyn would help protect them until they crossed into the mountain, then it would be on Kyara’s shoulders.

Erryl drove them all to the Eastern temple before bidding his farewell, and the small group boarded a Sisterhood transport headed east. Ella had arranged passage through connections of hers within the organization. She seemed to be quite a resourceful woman.

As the kilometers went by, even though apprehension tied Kyara’s stomach in knots, the view of the countryside kept her calm. She’d never seen this much of Elsira, having only glimpsed a tiny bit from overhead in the airship ride from Yaly. Since then, she’d been either in the capital or the seaside cottage, but the beauty of the land took her breath away.

She could almost understand why the people here were so afraid of their country being taken over by outsiders and why they kept such a tight hold on it—every bucolic meter of rolling hills and farmland was precious, even as the scenery before her crisped and languished, preparing for winter.

They rode in a small bus with seating for twelve, with the remaining seats occupied by Sisters. The women chatted to themselves, occasionally looking curiously at the motley group of foreigners sharing the ride. But no one was hostile.

Eventually, Ella began a friendly conversation with a couple of the Sisters, which lasted much of the rest of the trip. She hid the strain of not knowing exactly where her daughter was fairly well, though Kyara could see it was taking a toll.

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