Page 31 of Soul of Thorns
“It would be a very brave thing to do, child.”
“No. No, it wouldn’t. Because it wouldn’t solve anything. The Night Bringer would still try everything in his power to control me. He’d still find a way to torture me. He’d find a way to win. I’d lose Rev just to keep fighting this same battle elsewhere.”
“You do not see how very close to defeat you already are, child.” His voice is soft now, concerned.
“If I die, then they lose. Rev can still complete the mission and save—”
“No,” Rev growls in my ear. “That is not a solution.”
“There is no solution!” I throw my hands up.
The wraith narrows his eyes again, drifting closer, and then circling us. “Days ago, you hated her, Prince Reveln.”
“I was angry and hurt. I didn’t ever want anything bad to happen to her.”
Rev pulls me in closer, and I let him because his warmth sends shivers through my body.
The wraith’s eyes turn eager, pinned to Rev. “Perhaps we could come to an agreement...”
“No,” I snarl, done with this conversion. I don’t need him manipulating Rev into doing what he wants. No. It’s not going to happen. “We’ve made our decision. If you don’t intend to help us complete the mission, then you are not on our side. You are not our ally or our friend. So, leave. I don’t want to hear what you have to say.”
The wraith stops, chest puffed out. “Very well. I can see you are a lost cause.”
I cross my arms and watch as he drifts away, up, up, up, and over the mountain, along with scattering ash and dust, until his form disappears completely.
Rev
The wraith disappearsover the mountainside, but my eyes are pinned to Caelynn. We left the cottage less than eight hours ago, but already her eyes are sallow, her face pale, and her posture defeated.
“You mean it?” she whispers, still staring up at the mountain. “You weren’t going to leave?”
I grip her upper arms tightly and spin her to face me. “Of course not.” My jaw tenses. “I promise. I won’t leave you if you promise not to leave me.”
Her lips part. Confusion flickers across her expression, then finally, the tension drains from her body and she nods. But there is no joy in her now. It’s resignation, as if I’m asking something terrible of her. As if continuing to face the pain of this place is a torture she’ll endure for my sake only.
She steps away from my grip. “How long did I sleep?” she asks as she begins north toward our current camp.
