Page 79 of Trial of Thorns
Finally, I pull the bucket of glimmering water to the edge of the ruby-studded well. I peer at my reflection in the water. My eyes are dim, just a hint of gold flecks swimming in their depths.
I pull the wood to my lips and take a long sip of cool, sweet water without making a conscious choice—which might be a bad idea.
As the water soothes my dry throat, a gentle feeling fills all my limbs and a word forms in my mind like an illustration, glittering with the swell of magic. “Respect,” I say in a near whisper.
I don’t immediately know how this word could backfire, so I’m hopeful as I set the bucket back down. Somehow, it felt like the well had told me what I needed.
Tyadin nods sharply. Apparently he approves of my answer.
We both turn to Rev, considering his limp form lying in the hot sand at our feet. How do we get an unconscious ally to make a wish?
“He’ll wake before them, right?” Tyadin says. “He’s right here. He can complete the task and be on his way before his enemies get to him.”
I bite my lip. That could be a better option than trying to force him to make a wish without coherent thought. But then again, if the well had guided me to an answer, maybe it could guide him as well.
I drop to my knees beside him and place my hand on his chest. “Rev?” I jostle him gingerly. “Reveln,” I say louder.
He stirs and groans, twisting his neck until his face presses to the sand.
“Pull him up some water,” I tell Tyadin, who raises his eyebrows in annoyance. “Please.”
He rolls his eyes but nods. Rev turns to his back, his eyes fluttering and unfocused. I brush some of the sand from his right eye, and he groans again.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, voice hoarse.
“Helping you. Here, I’ve got some water for you,” I tell him.
“No.” He groans, twisting again. “Nothing,” he spits. “From you.”
“Good choice of allies,” Tyadin comments.
“Hush,” I snarl.
Tyadin balances the bucket on the edge of the well and scoops out a swallow’s worth of water in his cupped hands. I help Rev sit up, and Tyadin holds it to his lips. “Here, try some,” he says quietly.
Rev’s eyes flutter again, and the moment the liquid touches his chapped lips, he opens his mouth to allow the fluid to flow over his tongue to his throat.
“What do you want?” I ask the moment he swallows.
His eyebrows pinch together. “Truth.”
Tyadin’s chin lifts, his expression telling me he’s impressed. “All right, let’s get the hell out of here.”
