Page 67 of Vows of Sacrifice

“I’d like a masculine outfit, preferably black.”

Marione’s eyes became as round as soup plates.

“I thought I’d misheard you, Lady Ashana,” she stammered, with an awkward smile on her lips.

Luanda was waiting for me to explain.

“I’m going to follow my husband. I want to know what the creatures of the Abyss are and why he comes home stained with blood some nights.”

10

DOVAH

“I’ll walk with you. I need some exercise anyway.”

I looked at Kynnen, who was smiling with all his teeth. Every time my eyes rested on my brother’s face, his long scar reminded me of what I was capable of in the midst of a fit of “fury.”

“Well, the creatures of the Abyss are particularly restless at the moment. You’re in for a treat.”

My answer seemed to increase his enthusiasm.

“Where are we going?” he asked.

“They nest in the dunes near Baal Castle.”

Kynnen left me to give my instructions to my men before returning to the charge and mounting his horse, a white stallion with a few brown spots on its rump. I could feel it in my bones that he wanted to talk to me about Ashana.

“Go on, get it over with,” I grumbled, already annoyed at the idea of being interrogated.

“I didn’t sense any power in her, Dovah.”

“Paivrin thinks it is perhaps ‘asleep.’”

I mounted Vulcan, who was pawing impatiently. Once settled, I signalled that we could proceed.

“What do you mean, ‘asleep?’” he repeated, frowning.

I shrugged.

“All I know is that she can hold Cinder in her hand without being burned alive.”

My brother’s eyes widened in amazement.

“You didn’t?” he then whispered.

“What? Two birds, one stone, right?”

“As relentless as ever . . .”

I let out an annoyed groan.

“Now my wife has a powerful weapon made from parts of my body. If Cinder agrees to be held by Ashana, it’s because she’s my flame. Period. She can now protect herself and, at the same time, validate her nature in the eyes of you, my brother. Two birds, one stone. That’s all there is to it.”

I liked this idea. The idea that she was undoubtedly my flame. It was official now. I belonged to her in the same way she belonged to me. We were destined for each other. The thought disturbed me, but in a way, it was pleasant. Strangely pleasant.

“You gambled with her life,” Kynnen reproached me sharply.

It was true. Ashana could have died from almost instantaneous combustion, but I had faith. Completely. Kynnen couldn’t understand, and he wouldn’t be able to until he himself met his own flame. I looked forward to that day, at last, if our Father so decided.

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