Page 25 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
A rueful smile rose on Ellie’s face. "That’s exactly what we were thinking."
"Well, with one slight modification," Dani corrected.
"Which is?" Kallie asked.
"I’m going with you," Ellie said, straightening.
"What? Why?" Kallie demanded. "The whole point is to prevent anyone else from getting hurt. I can’t promise your safety if you go with me."
Ellie cocked a brow as if the answer was obvious. "No offense, but I’m not sure your directional skills will even get you out of Tetria. You were passed out the entire time on the way here, so it’s best if you have someone who knows the way through the swamps."
"Plus, in case you need backup, Ellie is a good person to have around," Dani added, and the sincerity with which she spoke almost made it seem like she cared—at least marginally.
Ellie pressed a hand to her heart. "You flatter me, Danisinia."
Dani shoved Ellie with her foot, and Ellie barked out a laugh.
"I’m her best friend, you know," Ellie said, leaning toward Sylvia.
"Only in your dreams," Sylvia said with a playful eye-roll.
The corner of Kallie’s lip ticked up, but the smile didn’t stretch any further. She ran a finger over the amethyst stone on her mother’s ring. She had made a promise to Graeson that they would be honest with each other. If she didn’t get on that boat, he would be furious. But Lysanthia deserved a chance at freedom.Hedeserved to get to know his mother.
It was a risky move, but a move Kallie needed to make. Too many people had suffered because of her. If she had the chance to save the others and stop this war before it even began, she had to take it. If she didn’t, what would that say about her?
She did not wish to be the enemy anymore.
"Will you tell Terin?" Kallie asked.
"In order to get Graeson on that boat, I think we will have to," Dani said. "He can help sway Gray to let you go. If anyone can convince him to do that, it’s Terin."
Kallie nodded, but something about her expression must have given her inner turmoil away because Ellie nudged her with her boot.
"This is for the best," she reassured.
"I know," Kallie said solemnly. Still, she couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that was coursing through her veins.
"I know it’s none of my business," Dani said, shifting as though uncomfortable, "but have your feelings changed about the soul bond?"
Kallie blinked at the sudden change in topic. "I—I haven’t really had time to think about it."
Dani nodded, but there was something else there that she wasn’t saying.
"What is it?" Kallie pressed.
Dani drew light circles across her stomach. "He’ll hate me for saying it…"
"But?" Kallie prodded, nausea rising in her stomach.
"Tell her," Sylvia said, squeezing Dani’s wrist.
Dani took a deep breath. "No matter how this ends—whether you’re successful or a war comes—you two can never be together. Your paths…" Dani paused, her gaze bouncing across Kallie’s face as if she was unsure what to say—or really how much to say. "Lysanthia had several visions of the two of you."
Kallie didn’t understand what Dani was saying. She was lying. This was just another way to push her away, to encourage her to leave.
"This is really unnecessary," Kallie said, a sick twisting forming in her gut. "I already said I would go."
Ellie and Sylvia both refused to meet Kallie’s gaze, their attention focused on the sky as if something interesting floated in the clouds. Not even a bird flew in their vicinity, though.
