Page 25 of Queen of Thorns
"Are there any other ancient powers in our world? There is nowhere else to risk?"
"There is one other, but he is the weakest of them all—not strong enough to aid us in battling two ancients. Which means we must raise the power beneath Black Lake regardless.”
“Was it you?” Rai asks, eyes still cast out over the smooth water. “Did you wake the ancient power beneath the High Court?”
Rev whips his head in his direction. “Is that what you think?”
“I am simply asking.”
“No,” I say. “We had nothing to do with the destruction at the High Court. I didn’t arrive until the attack began.”
“Then, who did?”
I glance to Rev; our eyes meet for one beat, then he looks away.
“A prince from the Whirling Court,” Rev answers.
Rai faces him. “You do not know which?”
“Does it matter?”
Rai takes in a deep breath. "What happened at the High Court? The being was roused. He spoke with you both. Nearly killed you both. What happened to him?"
Rev pulls in a long breath through his nose. "He settled back down in his resting place."
"And went into a deep slumber as before?"
We both pause, unsure if we should answer him honestly. "He is sleeping. How deeply... is up for debate."
A partial lie. He is not sleeping as deeply as before. He is resting, according to the book. But paying attention.
"Is it out of the question to request his help?"
"It would likely destroy the High Court for good," I say.
He nods. "That's not my question."
Okay then."He hates me," I answer. "Convincing him to work for us... would be challenging."
“He would kill her,” Rev says, voice grim.
Rai narrows his eyes but says no more.
"Can we take a boat out to sea?" Rev asks after several moments pass.
“Not without me, you won't,” Rai answers sharply.
Rev chuckles and holds his palms up in surrender. "We wouldn't complete the ritual without your knowledge."
"Yet.”
"We respect you, Rai," Rev says. "Truly. I will not make any decisions that could hurt you without either your permission or having no other choice. Do you believe that?"
"I believe it, but I do not like it regardless."
Hold up my hand. "I will promise to do everything in my power to inform you of our decision before completing the spell to rouse this ancient."
"You would make a vow?"
