Page 108 of Sanctuary of the Shadow
“I need to speak with Darya.”
“I really wouldn’t recommend—”
“I won’t be taking her at her word. I need to see Raith myself and make sure he’s okay.”
“You shouldn’t—”
“I also need to know how long the process will take—”
“Harrow!” Malaikah suddenly shouted.
“What?”
Her friend opened her mouth. Closed it again. Sighed heavily. “Look, there’s one more thing you need to know. I was hoping you could rest a bit before I told you, because you’re not going to like it, but I can see that’s not going to happen.”
“What?”
“Silly of me to even try, honestly. You’re the most stubborn person I’ve ever met—after myself, of course, but that’s a given—”
“What is it, Mal?”
“All of what I said before is true. You can trust Darya, and she is working hard to help Raith. But…there’s a catch.”
“What catch?”
“Well, the first time, it took Darya forty years to make Raith’s body.”
“Because she didn’t know how, right?”
“Right, so it won’t be that long now. But…she said it could still take time.”
Harrow forced herself to speak slowly. “How much time?”
“Lots of time. As in…years.”
“Years?” Harrow stared at her. “But that’s— I can’t— The process is torture for Raith. And he’s going to be in a lot of pain already from breaking his vows.”
“I know,” Malaikah said softly.
“You heard him b-before—” Harrow’s voice hitched. “He was in agony. Years of that?”
“I know. But it’s the only way.”
“It can’t be. There has to be a way to make it faster.”
“There isn’t. Look, Harrow, Darya promised to work as hard as she possibly can, but there’s no way to speed it up. And at least this time, Darya won’t be trying to hurt him. She’ll be kinder.”
“I can’t trust her with that. I’ll go there myself. I’ll lend her my magic, and we can work together.”
“No, Harrow. In fact…” Malaikah dragged a hand down her face. “She told me to tell you that you’re forbidden from entering Castle Vari until the process is complete.”
“Why?”
“Because of what Raith has to go through. It’s the only way, Harrow, and Darya knows you won’t be able to stand it if you’re there.”
“No way. No way!” Harrow threw back the blankets covering her with a jerk that sent pain shooting up to her injured shoulders. She gasped reflexively, head spinning.
“Get back in bed,” Mal protested.
