Page 113 of Veinblood
“Steady. Maybe we should take this slowly.”
“I can walk.” It’s a lie, made even more obvious by the fact I’m leaning heavily against him.
“She’s been like this since she realized the Vareth’el is nearby,” Vorith says. “Completely unreasonable. She can’t even stand upright, but insists on rushing around making preparations. I’ve tried reasoning with her, but she won’t listen to sense.”
Corwin adjusts his grip to better support my weight. “In the past few days, I’ve learned there is no point in arguing with her when she’s made up her mind about something.” Amusement threads through his voice.
Vorith sighs, and follows as we make our way slowly through the Spire’s hallways. I try to focus on putting onefoot in front of the other rather than the dizziness that keeps threatening to overwhelm me with each step.
A servant appears around the corner ahead of us, carrying a tray of what looks like clean linens. The moment she sees us, she freezes, head dropping, her eyes fixed firmly on the floor.
“Good morning,” I say softly as we pass her.
She flinches at the sound of my voice, mumbling something that might be a greeting before hurrying away.
“They’re still adjusting,” Corwin explains. “Under Authority rule, being noticed by anyone with power usually meant punishment. It’s going to take time for them to understand things have changed.”
These people have lived in fear for so long that they don’t know how to respond to simple kindness. How many years will it take to undo that damage?
The thought saddens me.
We pass two more servants on our way to the throne room, and both react the same way as the first. Each time makes my chest tighten.
“How long will it take? For them to stop being afraid?”
“Fear like that doesn’t just disappear overnight. But it will fade, once they see that things will be different.”
We’re almost at the throne room when the connection linking me to Sacha turns so intense it nearly stops me in my tracks. He isn’t just close anymore, he’s almost here. My heart picks up speed, excitement and anticipation warring for dominance.
“Wait. Stop!” I squeeze Corwin’s forearm. “He’s much closer than I thought.”
“What do you mean?”
“We don’t have time to check the throne room. We need to leave the city.” I’m already trying to pull him away from the doors leading into the throne room. “I want to meet him outside the city gates.”
“This is ridiculous,” Vorith protests. “You’ve almost fallen three times just walking to the throne room, and now you want to leave the city entirely?”
“Yes. This is his city. His home. I want to see his face when we tell him we took Ashenvale. I want to be able to give it back to him properly. ”
“Absolutely not. You’re not leaving the Spire, let alone the city. Look at yourself. You’re too weak.”
“I’m going.”
“This is madness Corwin, surely you can see?—”
“The main gates are at least fifteen minutes walk away.” Corwin’s voice is careful, but I notice he doesn’t actually say no. “There are horses in the stables?—”
“Corwin!” Vorith’s voice sharpens. “Don’t encourage this foolishness.”
He turns to look at me. “Other than exhaustion, are you hurt?”
I shake my head.
“Then I will get you out of the city, if that is what you want.”
“Yes.”
Vorith throws up her hands. “You’re both insane.”
