Page 49 of Memory of Ashes

She began with the symbols at Ryjul, carefully recreating each curve, adding words from the language she’d discovered here. She wrote about Alarrdrassyl and the fortress above the sea, recording place names, colours and creatures—anything she could remember that might help her prove to Emin that this world was real.

After she’d written down everything she remembered, she wondered if any of it mattered if they wouldn’t believe her. Reading it back, she discovered she’d written far more about Casyl than intended. His name appeared alongside almost every discovery. He was the commander of a fae army, yet he repaired broken relics and laughed when she touched his antlers.

She lay down, leaving the scroll open beside her. Every sound outside made her glance towards the tent’s entrance, but Casyl did not return. Would they have any more time together before she left?

She woke to the tent flap opening, thinking Danae had returned.

“Danae?” she asked into the darkness.

The figure came closer, and as her eyes adjusted, she realised it was Ruven. What was he doing here?

She sat up. He pressed a finger to his lips and glanced towards Danae, who was already asleep in her bed.

“What is it?” she whispered.

He knelt beside her. “Amelia, you need to leave.”

“What do you mean? I’m going tomorrow,” she said.

“No, you must leave tonight. Just trust me. I need you to listen.”

“Ruven, I’m sorry, but I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me why.”

He looked pained.

“I don’t know everything, but your world will be in danger. You need to go now while you can.”

She didn’t know whether he was telling her everything, but the fear in his face was real.

“What about those things that live in the forest?” she asked. She’d be dead if she ran into another of those.

“I’ll escort you, but we have to leave before sunrise.”

Quietly, she put on her clothes. She cast one last glance at the sleeping Danae before slipping out behind him.

Chapter 11

The long grass slowed their pace as they left the camp.

It was getting lighter, although the sun had yet to rise. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears. She wouldn’t think of what would happen to them if they were caught, especially Ruven.

She scanned her surroundings, searching for a sign of where she’d entered this world. The grey light of the morning muted the colours of the forest.

They followed the treeline until she came to something that looked familiar. She stopped.

“Is this the way?” Ruven asked. He turned, checking for pursuit. The fading night was still.

“I think I came out this way,” she said, “but I was being chased, so I was distracted.”

“Let’s find out.”

They placed each step carefully to avoid disturbing its inhabitants. She headed deeper into the trees towards the mountain. Once they reached the base of the mountain, they could follow it until they found the opening.

The forest was still dark under the shadow of the trees. Not even the birds were awake yet.

Once again, she was fleeing. She pressed her teeth into her lower lip. She hadn’t even had the chance to say goodbye to Casyl.

They reached the base of the mountain, and she looked around for the familiar tree. It was there in the distance.