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There was a brief silence, then a woman’s voice rang out. “My name is Fenling?—”
I let out a long breath. I knew her voice, but when I opened the door, I was still cautious. Given Karehl had managed to fool me with an illusion, I wanted to be absolutely sure.
Sure enough, there stood Fenling, along with Quen, Bran’s oath brother. Behind them were five more of the Lorani. I recognized them as San, Trin, Lanlan, Exis, and Forth.
“Come in. Get out of the cold.” I stood back, opening the door for them. They pushed through, all seven of them. Fenling strode over to me and grabbed me in a bear hug. There were tears in her eyes.
“I’m so glad I found you. I can’t believe it,” she said. “Last we heard, Karehl had captured you. Then two nights ago, I had a dream that we had to search this area of the forest. It was sostrong I couldn’t ignore it. I thought we might find Bran, but…I’m so glad you’re here!”
I hugged her back, relief flooding through me. “Let me wake Ashera, then I’ll get dressed and we can have breakfast and talk.” I turned to the others. “I’m so glad you’re all here. Especially you, Quen. How are you doing?”
“Healed up. Alive, thanks to you.” He bowed, taking my hand and kissing it. “Blessings on your head, and I’m grateful you’re safe and free of thedog.”
Even I knew that “dog” was a pejorative for a wolf shifter.
“Sit, rest. I’ll be right back.” I grabbed my clothes and headed for Ashera’s room. After tapping lightly, I peeked in. She sat up, squinting. “Fenling’s here with some of the Lorani! But given the illusion Karehl pulled on me, is there a way you can check to be sure?”
“Aye, yes. There is.” She smiled, laughing. “It’s good to know my magic still works. Well, then, I’ll be out in a moment. Do you need to dress in here?”
I nodded, and she motioned for me to get on with it. I quickly changed and hurried back out to the others.
“Ashera will be here soon,” I said. “Please, sit down.” As they gathered around the fire, holding their hands out to it, I asked, “Seven of you. Where are the others? Where’s Bran? I heard he broke free.”
“He did, with a group of Lorani who were also imprisoned. We don’t know where they are. We think they went above the Eiralpine Line, into the wilds. We were heading that way to look for them, but then I had the dream about you.” Fenling leaned her head back against the chair. “Oh, it feels so good to warm up.”
Ashera joined us.
“Ashera, meet Fenling, Bran’s cousin. She and Bran saved my life. And this is Quen.”
Fenling introduced the others in turn. “We’re sorry to intrude.”
“No problem at all,” Ashera said. “But hold a moment. I need to make certain of something.” She was holding a large smoky quartz and now she walked through them, touching each one on the shoulder. After she was done, she turned to me. “They’re who they say they are. No illusions here.”
Relieved, I let out a long breath. “Good.”
Ashera turned to them. “You must be hungry. I’ll make breakfast.”
“I’ll help—” I stood, starting to follow her, but Quen jumped up.
“No, you talk to Fenling. I’d be happy to offer my service.”
Ashera accepted Quen’s offer with a smile. As she led him out to the pantry, I curled up on the settee. I glanced at the men who were gathered around the hearth.
“Can you help Ashera refill the wood box?” I asked. They got the hint and vanished out to help her with the chores. After a moment, I turned to Fenling. “What happened after we parted? Did you know that Giselda is in cahoots with Karehl? Sparrow was the prince in disguise.”
I told her what happened and how he had trapped me in the tower and that I had found a hidden exit. “I’m lucky I found Ashera’s house. I believe I was meant to find it, because she has it cloaked with so many wards that you could trip over it in broad daylight and still not see it.”
“Yes,” Fenling said. “We found out so much after you left with Karehl. Giselda answered every question we asked. There arewaysto make people talk.”
I caught my breath. I wasn’t sure what I felt about that. But then, I was in the company ofsoldiers. And this was a fight for our lives. I nodded. After a moment, I asked, “Do you know if the real Sparrow is all right?”
Fenling hung her head, her expression grim. “No. Or rather, no, he isn’t all right. Karehl killed him to keep him quiet.”
I felt inexplicably sad for the young man. “I didn’t know that. I do know that the prince told me that he paid Giselda to help him. So she’s under his control. Tell me what you found out.”
“Apparently, Karehl summoned Bran and the Lorani back to Eleago in order to arrest us all. Thanks to the spy in the group, he also knew that you were with us, and that he had to capture you.”
“Why, though?” I asked. “What’s so special about me? He could snap up any woman who caught his eye. I’m no great beauty.”
