Page 143 of Wicked Prince of Curses
I snorted, laughing at my friends. The Talons all looked at me with a fresh kindness, and a certain…protectiveness, in their eyes. They looked at me as their new friend. They looked at me as one to protect, like they did with their Fallen Prince.
I smiled, nuzzling into Quazar’s side. Held in his arms, I sat with him, with our friends as we watched the ocean waves roll. As we watched the sun descend and change into a myriad of beautiful colors. The more time passed, the more rage colored my hearts black.
“I will Ascend,”I said down my bond to Quazar.“And when I do, they will beg the Infinite for the payment of blood to be enough. And even then, it will never be.”
“Pleasetell me I get to join in all the fun.”
“I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.”
Quazar let out a sigh down the bond that almost sounded like a growl.“I rotting adore you, Safah Starling.”
I nuzzled into him deeper, enjoy the crashing waves of warm water rushing over my feet, coating me in the salty film of the sea. A long time passed with all of us sitting in the quiet, in the tension, when Ivyana cleared her throat.
“Kazi, can I tell her now?”
“Yes,” Quazar said, squeezing my waist.
I blinked at the sun. “Tell me what, Ivy? Wait.” I cleared my throat. “Can I call you Ivy?”
“Only if I get to call you Sazu.”
I smiled.
Stars.
“I swear she’sjustlike Evanae.”
“They would’ve been great friends.”
“I know.”
“Of course you can.”
“Good. Anyway. So, while we were eating cookies and cake and dancing around with the Scourgers before Timtobwe…” she began.
I snorted at the sarcasm, yawning.
“I may or may not have heard something.”
“Something like?” I pressed.
“Well, you would imaginemysurprise when I learned the Scourgers are greedy little monstersandgossips. Turns out, they know more about what’s going on than we think. And they like to talk about it.”
“Pray tell, Ivy. Just what in the Hèls were they on about that could have possibly gotten your attention while you were…eating cookies and cake?”
Quazar snorted, chuckling at the dry humor.
“Your Manmi isn’t dead.”
I shot out of Quazar’s embrace, stumbling to my knees. I glared at Ivyana, every bone in my body growing unnaturally still. She blinked her jeweled eyes at me, the emerald blazing with fury.
“Safah, your Manmi is alive and in the custody of High Farasee Manazzra Ahabiah.”
