Page 23 of Curse of Thorns
Tyadin clears his throat. “So, Caelynn, I’m surprised to see you here. How did you hook back up with Rev?”
Caelynn blinks, her eyes wide, but she recovers quickly. “Well, that’s an interesting story.”
“She had a delivery for my father,” I tell him simply.
“Oh?”
“An assassin’s head.”
Tyadin smacks his hand over his eyes. “You didn’t.”
“I did,” she says, not at all bashful.
I laugh. “It was pretty badass actually. It came as a surprise, but the look on my father’s face when she came marching into our banquet hall—I swear, I’ll cherish that moment the rest of my life.”
“Damn, sounds like I missed an iconic moment.”
“You did.”
“So, I assume you’re here because you need help with your mission. What is it you need?”
I take in a long, awkward breath and then force myself to say the words. I recount to Tyadin my failed attempt at getting through the Wicked Gates, and immediately, the countenance in the room changes. Tyadin leans forward, eyes focused on nothing at all as he listens intently. He’s taking this seriously, and already some of the tension between my shoulders eases.
I’m not alone anymore. I have allies.
We’re not any closer to a solution, but I know I have his and Caelynn’s full efforts to aid me.
“So, our goal,” Caelynn says, “is to get him through those gates, by whatever means necessary.”
“We could catapult him over?” Ty muses, a sly grin spreading on his face.
“Ha ha.” Caelynn rolls her eyes
“Seriously, I would do it if it’d work.” I swallow, my expression still serious despite their jokes. “I don’t care if I get back out again... I have to getinand get that cure.”
“Well, you need to get backoutor the cure won’t come with you,” Tyadin says.
“Whatever, you know what I mean. I can’t be remembered as a failure, rejected by even the Wicked Gates.”
“It could be a good thing,” Tyadin muses. “You were rejected for being too pure? That wouldn’t be such a bad legacy, would it?”
“Sure, I’ll be just good enough to fail the entire realm and allow thousands to die. No one will carewhyI failed, they’ll only know that I did. And also, no, that isn’t the issue. You don’t have to be a murderer—" I pause, forcing my eyes not to dart to Caelynn. She’s noticeably still as I fight my brain to find the words to continue. “You don’t have to be evil to go in. Historically, there are many counts of people going in and coming out that are heroes of their times even before they enter.”
“But that doesn’t mean they don’t have their demons,” Caelynn says.
“And I have them too.” If she could only feel the anger swirling through my chest now. My selfish pursuit of power. My hatred for my own... I shake my head. He’s not my father. “I’m telling you, it is not because I am toopure.”
“Well, theory number two,” Tyadin says, expression still stone serious as he concentrates, “is it possible the gates don’t recognize you as the winner of the trails?”
Rev sniffs. “I asked the queen this—it was an awkward conversation, but it had to be done. She said there was no particular reason the gate would care about the trials at all. Anyone could enter.”
“Well, sounds like the queen is a lot of help,” Caelynn mumbles. “Any other theories?”
“Nothing promising. The gate is just being a dick and will change its mind if I keep trying? The sorcerer who started the scourge also put a curse on it so that no one can enter? That it’s actually a riddle I need to solve?” I shrug.
“Well, let’s keep trying then,” Caelynn says confidently. “We’ll make a trip to the gates tomorrow. You’ll try, and we’ll be witnesses—see if we notice something you don’t. Best case, you get through tomorrow, and you’re on your way to being the savior of the realm. Worst, we’re back to where we were, and we’ll brainstorm again after.”
I take in a long breath and nod. It does feel good to have a plan, as simple as it is. There’s a step ahead; even though I already know how it will end, it’s still comforting.
