Page 83 of Crown of Storm and Silence
Finally, Kaan looks at me. "I don’t know, and that is enough to lock him up," Kaan says, his voice hollow.
"You don't trust him," I say.
"I don't trust anyone when it comes to you," he replies without looking up.
Before I can respond, urgent footsteps echo in the corridor. A healer appears in the doorway, her face flushed with exertion and something that might be relief.
"My lady," she says, slightly breathless. "You need to come quickly. Banu is awake."
My heart leaps with equal parts of hope and worry. "Is she all right?"
"She's... responsive. But perhaps you should see for yourself."
Kaan and I exchange glances before following the healer through the obsidian corridors to the medical wing. The chamber where they've been keeping Banu is filled with the soft glow of healing crystals, and there she is—sitting up in bed, her delicate features animated with familiar mischief.
"Well, well," she says as we enter, her musical voice carrying its usual teasing lilt. "Look what the shadows dragged in. My dearest friend and her brooding shadow lord–, come to check on little old me. How absolutely precious."
I rush to her bedside, relief flooding through me. "Banu, thank the gods. How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been trampled by a herd of particularly enthusiastic unicorns," she replies with a bright laugh. "But I'm alive, which is more than those nastyOburcan say, I imagine. Though I do hope someone made them suffer appropriately before they died. I'm terribly vindictive when people interrupt my beauty sleep."
"You saved me," I tell her, settling carefully into the chair beside her bed. "Fought them off when they?—"
"Right, then," she interrupts with a dramatic wave of her hand, "let's not dwell on unpleasant memories. I'm here, you're here, and that's what matters. Though I must say, theaccommodations in this place are absolutely dreadful. Do you know they've been feeding me nothing but healing broth for days? I'm beginning to suspect they're trying to torture me back to health."
"Healing broth builds strength," Kaan says from where he's positioned himself near the door, shadows still writhing around his feet.
"Healing broth tastes like someone dissolved old socks in warm water and added a dash of disappointment," Banu retorts with an exaggerated grimace. "I've been dreaming of proper food. Honey cakes, roasted fowl, anything with actual flavor. At this point, I'd settle for stale bread just to remind my taste buds they still exist."
I find myself laughing despite everything. "I'll have the kitchens prepare something special for you."
"You're an absolute angel," she says, reaching out to squeeze my hand with theatrical gratitude. "Though speaking of angels, you look absolutely radiant. Pregnancy suits you, even after all you've been through. Very ethereal mother goddess meets warrior queen. It's quite the aesthetic."
"I don't feel radiant," I admit, unconsciously touching my belly. "I feel tired and confused and?—"
"And perfectly normal for a woman growing a miracle," Banu interrupts with warm enthusiasm. "Trust me, you're glowing with that inner light that makes expectant mothers so beautiful. It's like you've swallowed starlight, but in the most elegant way possible."
There's something in her tone—just for a moment—that doesn't quite match her words. A fleeting thought crosses my mind that she seems different somehow, but I push it away. Nearly dying would change anyone.
"Tell me about the baby," she continues, settling back against her pillows with genuine interest. "Is it active? Does it respond to voices?"
"Very active," I say, warmth flooding my voice. "Especially at night. And yes, it seems to respond to Kaan's voice most strongly."
"Of course it does," Banu says with a knowing smile. "Shadow magic recognizes shadow magic, even in the womb. It knows its father."
Kaan's shadows still slightly at her words, and I see something that might be pleasure cross his darkened features. "The connection is strong," he admits quietly. "Stronger than I expected."
"As it should be," Banu says approvingly. "You've created something impossible together—light and shadow combined. The child will be extraordinary."
"It’ll be loved," I correct gently. "That's what matters most."
"Oh, absolutely," Banu agrees, though there's something in her green eyes that flickers strangely. "Love is the most powerful magic of all, isn't it? It can create... or destroy."
The way she says it makes me shiver slightly, but before I can analyze the feeling, she's moving on, her voice brightening with theatrical enthusiasm.
"Now then, I simply must know what I've missed. Has the Shadow Court been suitably dramatic in my absence? Any good gossip? Political intrigue? Scandalous romance?"
Despite myself, I find myself drawn into her familiar chatter. For the next while, her laughter fills the chamber with its musical quality.
