Page 130 of Echoes of the Raven
“I do.”
He raises an eyebrow and purses his lips asking,Are you sure?
I nod, no doubt in my heart.
Jago sighs. “Then I guess I’ll have to trust him, too, but if he hurts you again, I’ll hang him by the balls.”
“And I’ll help you.”
We both laugh.
Soon, we’re out of the small town. Cuervo’s shadow skimming over the ground as he flies overhead.
The border with the territory once known as Portus is only two days away. I have never visited this far west, but I’ve read that Portus died out when the veil first appeared over two thousand years ago. With all trade routes gone and cut off from the rest of the continent, I imagine they slowly found it harder and harder to thrive.
Many who rather believe in grimmer things say that as Tirnanog took its place, Portus shriveled away under its presence. It is said that no Castellan travels beyond that border, fearing the veil’s abrupt reappearance and a death sentence if the fae lands settle anew. Most people believe Tirnanog exists in a different plane. Nonetheless, anyone on Portus’s side would find themselves cut off from their homes, so I think it wise not to travel there.
I could never have imagined my traveling partners at the end of the journey. I’m only glad Calierin isn’t here.
Korben and I talked for a long while last night. We crowded together in the narrow bed, wrapped in each other’s arms. I asked him what he wanted to do, and he said it was my decision alone. I told him my fears.
“Learning your true identity,” I said, “made me doubt our goal. I thought you would go to Tirnanog and return to Castella bent on war.”
“I was willing to destroy everything when you gave me the amulet in your sister’s bedroom. Twenty years taught me nothing. They simply served to enhance my rage. But these last few days, I’ve come to realize how much I relied on The Eldrystone. How dependent on it I became. That conduit has been the source of all my pain. You showed me that, Valeria. You… with your restraint in the face of so much power. For a long, long time, Niamhara was quiet, and The Eldrystone seemed to be a tool she bestowed upon us and then forgot about. But now, she is quite present, with you directly in her sights. You are young, yet you have displayed wisdom beyond your years, resisting the amulet’s allure far better than I ever managed once it took root within me. That is why I think you will be a better keeper than I ever was.”
My fingers trailing down his smooth chest, I said, “I… I’m not as immune as you may think.” It was hard to admit it, but I needed to acknowledge it. “At times, when I didn’t have it in my possession, there was this strange feeling in my chest, a sort of desperation that made me want to rip it from your hands, Amira’s hands, Calierin’s hands. It took all my strength to control the urge.”
“And yet, you did. I can’t say the same thing.”
“I… tried to kill you.”
“I’m still here.”
“You wore it for years, Korben. I’ve only just…”
“Shh.” He smoothed my hair, light fingers moving along its length, then trailing down my back, making me shiver. “You do not give yourself the credit you deserve. You are so strong.”
I grunted noncommittally.
“You must hate Amira,” I said, still afraid of what he might do.
“She is not my favorite person,” he admitted, “but I understand her. I hate to say this, but when Francisca brought Thoran here, I showed myown lack of acceptance. I judged him based on my ignorant ideas. Yet, he saved you, and you are here thanks to him. I learned something valuable. Your sister, like me, has been dealt a difficult hand. Mayhap, there is still hope for her. I did not think I could change, but here I am.”
I caressed his face. “Thank you for saying that.”
With a smile stretching his chiseled mouth, he took the white streak in my hair and pulled it up. “Did you always have this?”
Shaking my head, I buried my face deeper into his chest. This is one of those things I don’t like to talk about, but no barrier exists between us anymore.
“I got it the night Mother died,” I say, my voice growing thick. “I was wearing The Eldrystone, playing and pretending to be Mother. The amulet helped me save Father from Orys, but I was too late to help her. Afterward, I had this.”
“How old were you?”
“Eight.”
“Like I said, you are strong,Ravógín.”
I pushed up on my shoulder to look at him. “What does that mean?”
