Page 130 of Oathborn
He gave a small shrug. “I scaled down the cliffs. You’re close to Kirkton.”
Zari connected the dots. “I went to the place you told me to and—”
“I know,” he sighed. “I know no one was there.”
Zari shook her head. “The girl. Ashali.” With her injuries, every word took more effort to say than the one before. She was aware of Yansin watching her, his eyes widening with clear hope. Zari swallowed, trying her best to fight through the pain. “She’s safe. Tivre… promised. I feel like there’s much you’re not telling me,” Zari said.
“It is true,” Yansin finally said, “that I perhaps have a penchant for being cryptic.”
“And a way with words,” Zari found herself smiling, despite the pain. He was comfortable to be around, like a cozy sweater a size too big.
The misty fog had lifted somewhat, revealing flecks of blue flowers amid the scrubby grass.
May a thousand flowers bloom where he had trod.The words, a Rhydonian phrase used to comfort those who grieve, sprang to her mind. It was the same so many had told her during her father’s funeral. Annette had been there, by her side. Other than that, she couldn’t remember a single person, nor anything they said beyond those words.
It reminded her, too, of all the trees Tivre planted at Lochna, and all the bodies slaughtered by Blood Ember. Of Javen and the lilac tree, and his grieving of his wife.
“Why did you take the sword when you left?” The one Hazelle had given her was still in his belt.
“Foolishly, I thought that keeping it would protect you. Instead, it seems destiny found you another to wield.”
“Destiny had nothing to do with it!” No, instead, she’d made a choice. She’d chosen to protect Annette and to see her father again. “So, I suppose I’ll die here, and you can tell whoever paid you to follow me that—”
“No one is paying me,” he cut her off, a hint of intensity crackling beneath his words. “Rather, I’mfondof you, you baffling, stubborn girl.”
“Then, help me.”
“That I can do, though—”
“You cannot stay?”
A shadow crossed Yansin’s face. “I wish that were not the reputation I’ve earned.” His expression wavered as if he wanted to tell her more. “But I suppose it is the one I deserve.”
“Yansin,” she whispered. “I’m scared of so much, and things are changing so quickly, but… but you’re here, and I find myself a bit braver for that.”
Zari dared to run her hand through his auburn hair. Her thumb traced over the curve of his ear, finding it almost identical to hers, but with the smallest edge of a point. Not a fae’s, but not human, either.
He swallowed hard before whispering. “Am I acceptable to you? For I cannot change who my blood made me, so you see me as I am.”
Did that mean he couldn’t glamour himself, like the fae she’d met? “I feel like I cannot say the same about myself.” She was dressed as a fae, with a false Oathborn mark on her arm and a magical, cursed sword at her feet. What would become of her?
“Ah, but I can still see you. I see your gentleness, your kind heart. Both are in rare supply everywhere I’ve ever made my home.”
A kind heart wouldn’t save her father. Nor would it keep her safe from the Queen.
“Zari!” Daeden called from the distance. “Zari!”
Her eyes widened. He’d come looking for her. Had he broken his Oath to do so? “Daeden!” she yelled. “Yansin, I need to find him. If he runs into Javen instead of finding me…”
Yansin’s lips pressed together into a thin line as he seemed to concentrate on something. He bent his fingers, weaving a twisting light into sigils. He caught them all in his hand and threw the magic into the air.
Zari gasped in wonder. Glittering shapes like fireworks rained down as lights formed the shape of a great bird. Flapping its wings, it soared up in a flurry of reddish-gold sparks, and disappeared.
“He’ll see that, I’m sure,” Yansin said. Bending, Yansin kissed her forehead. Her hand reached out, grabbing his undershirt, trying to catch him and hold him close to her. Instead, his free hand closed over hers, and gently pried her fingers away. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “If you are so determined to go back to the isles, stay on the South Star. I will find you there.”
Her heart ached at his words. “Truly?”
“Yes.” His arms tightened around her, holding her once more. “Though it is foolish of me, I care for you, Zari, and I wish to see you safe.” Then he rose. Her last glimpse of him was his bright auburn hair fading into the fog.
