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Chapter 24
Shielding the Heart of Atlanthyst
RAESHELLE
"Your payè isn't a fool. He won't fall for the decoy, Raeshelle."
Kianga trailed me through the quiet hall as we swam away from the rowdy party. We swam quickly, avoiding maydins and guests alike, lest they spread gossip and foil my plans. My gut twisted at the thought of betraying Yakobba, but I had no choice. I had to get to the stone first. If payè wouldn't give the stone to the waters of Azizi, then I would. I'd decided. I would not perform the Azizien Rite.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Kianga continued.
"Stop nagging or return to the feast!" I snapped.
I didn't have time for this. I was hunting for the stone and I needed my concentration. If I knew King Bakari well, there were two places he'd put the stone. I opted for the first. The small chamber, carved from ancient rock, at the back of the treasury.
The problem was, I'd need to pass the dungeons to get to it. King Bakari had taken me to the treasury several times. He wanted to show me our wealth, but he also wanted me accustomed to challenging tasks. After all, one dawn I could be the one delivering an accused to the dungeons or have to fetch something from the treasury, he would say.
A cruel joke. He'd taught me all of that, knowing I'd put none of that knowledge to use. Well, it wasn't all useless. At least I could get to the dungeons. The only issue would be the guards.
"You know the king's wrath will spare no one, Raeshelle. Think about what you're doing and who it will affect."
I turned to look at Kianga. Her pretty face was hardened lines and creased with worry. She was right, of course. King Bakari could very well punish me and Kianga both, no matter what I said. And her punishment would be far worse.
But I wouldn't be deterred.
After watching all those angels laughing and dancing, excited, actually excited, for me to be given to the waters in the Atlanthyst Trench... I almost vomited. I decided in that moment; I was slipping out, nabbing the stone, and giving it instead. No punishment payè could give me would outweigh the fact that I could stay alive and eventually live my life. Yakobba had given me the taste of freedom and I wanted it badly.
"I will say this one last time."
I surged ahead, swimming with purpose. Kianga flinched, but listened.
"If you don't want to do this, then don't. I will face any blame or repercussions alone. But I'm not stopping, Kianga. The angels want me to die. They?—"
I trailed off, unable to finish. I turned forward and swam faster. When I got to the pearl doors that would lead down to the dungeons, I froze.
"Look, I'm not saying they're right, because the bloody idiots are?—"
Kianga broke off when she saw what I did. Not only was the door ajar, wide enough for a body to slip through, but the water smelled like an Avarien cloud walker. It smelled like him.
"Rotting seas," I cried in a small voice. "No, no, no!"
I was preparing to curse him for a thousand cycles.
Then it dawned on me.
I smelled him in the water, and only him. Which meant he swam down to the treasury alone. Fear now crept into my hearts for another reason.
"Kianga, he went down there alone. He may be..."
Kianga said nothing. When I looked at her, her relief was evident. If Yakobba went alone, it meant Engèli wasn't with him. Kianga met my eyes, then looked away, ashamed.
"I should help him," I began, looking at the door with uncertainty tying knots in my gut.
"But will you?" Kianga asked, knowing what was crossing my mind.
If Yakobba was down there, there was a likelihood the king knew someone, that someone being me, would go for the stone. Hence why there were no guards at this entry. Which only meant the stone was in the one other place he kept it.
I frowned, ashamed at myself. Yakobba could be down there, flying into a trap, and badly hurt. He would need aid, but I needed the stone.
