Page 87 of Echoes of the Raven
“Not Calierin or Kadewyn then?”
“No.”
Just as the word comes out of Rífíor’s mouth, Kadewyn suddenly arrives from the side, riding in a thunder of motion. His horse leaps over the thick brush and skids to a stop.
“Royal guards!” he shouts.
“What the fuck?” Rífíor demands. “Why did you let them—”
“I didn’t let themanything,” Kadewyn cuts him off. “They have magic and hid their progress. I didn’t spot them until they were too close.”
Rífíor curses, using words I don’t understand.
Jago is there in the next instant. “Hurry, Val, let’s hide.” He starts to climb onto the wagon.
Rífíor growls in frustration. “If they have magic, they will find us. We might as well hand ourselves over if we trap ourselves in there.”
“Then what do we do?” Jago asks just as the beat of hooves reaches my ears and sends my heart into a matching gallop.
“Use your amulet,” Kadewyn says. “Only magic will hide you from them.”
Swiftly, I reach for it under my tunic, expecting to feel its warmth, but it’s cold to the touch, unresponsive like before.Dammit!
I shake my head. “It’s not working.”
“What?” Jago punches the air.
“Then ride with me.” Kadewyn extends a hand in my direction. “Quick, come on!”
I hesitate.
“No!” Jago protests. “We have to stay together. Try it again.”
I squeeze the amulet tightly.Please, please, work!They all watch me intently, but Niamhara has decided to abandon us again.
“Nothing,” I say.
“Puta madre!” Jagocurses.
“We need to ride then, catch up to Calierin.” Kadewyn offers me his hand again. “Her magic is the only thing that can save you now.”
Rífíor lets out a frustrated growl. “Valeria, Kadewyn is right. Ride with him. I will run alongside and keep up until we reach Calierin.”
“Val.” Jago puts a hand on my shoulder, his expression conflicted.
“Jago.”
I see the logic in what Rífíor and Kadewyn are saying, but I can’t leave my cousin. They’ll bring him back to Castellina, and there’s no telling what punishment Amira might devise for him in her state of mind.
He must see something in my expression because he squeezes me and gives me a resigned nod. “Go, I’ll be all right.”
“Amira is out of her mind,” I said. “She might…”
“I’ll be fine. She wouldn’t hurt me. I’m her favorite cousin, remember?” He smiles sadly.
“You’re heronlycousin, you idiot.”
“Exactly.”
