Page 183 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“Then stop this!”
Pollux looked down at the floor. “I can’t,” he said. “I’m sorry…”
Luna dissolved into sobs once more, and Aislinn held her tightly, halfway there herself. But she couldn’t cry, not yet. If she did, she didn’t think she’d stop.
And she needed to think.Think.
There was always a way out. Always. Her mother had taught her that. She didn’t need magic. There would be another way. She just had to stay alive long enough to figure it out.
The door at the top of the stairs barged open, and Aeron marched into the room. He glared at the two of them through the bars. “Separate,” he instructed.
“Who are you?” Aislinn asked. “Why are you doing this?”
“Oh no, little princess, I’m not telling you anything.”
He clicked his fingers, and the guards marched into the room. Aislinn tried to fight them, but there were too many. Chains fastened around her wrists, dragging her to the wall.
“Where’s the Prince?” Aeron demanded.
“I made a vow,” Aislinn said. “I shall not reveal the location of my comrades, not even on pain of death.”
Aeron laughed. “Of course you did,” he said. “But I am not sure the dwarf can be held to such promises…”
He turned towards Luna, who quaked beneath his massive shadow. Tears spilled from her eyes.
“No,” Aislinn whimpered, “don’t—”
But she could not stop him. She could offer him nothing.
Luna wouldn’t say anything to begin with. She’d hold on for as long as she could. But eventually, she’d speak.
After her voice turned hoarse with screaming.
Tell him,Aislinn wanted to scream.Don’t let him hurt you.
But she couldn’t speak that, either. She needed Luna to hold on for as long as possible. In case—
In case what?
Minerva didn’t have the forces to rescue them, and she wouldn’t race in without considering her options. No one was coming for them.
Aeron plucked a dagger from his belt, and placed it to Luna’s cheek. Blood bubbled at the tip.
“Please,” Luna whispered, not looking at Aeron, as if she knew her pleas were pointless, but at Pollux behind him.
His throat wobbled. “Just tell him, Luna.”
“Yes, Luna,” said Aeron, pressing the blade deeper. “Do tell.”
Luna cried out. Aislinn roared—
The dungeon door barged open and in blazed Cerridwen Ardencourt, Dillon behind her. They flew down the steps. One of the guards dived at Dillon, but he grabbed the spear in his massive hands and swung them round until they collapsed into their comrade. Pollux held up his hands, refusing to fight.
“Free her!” Dillon barked at him.
Pollux went for the keys. Cerridwen slammed against Aeron, knocking the dagger from his grip.
“Youlied!” she hissed. “My granddaughter—my family!”
