Page 126 of The Crown’s Temptation

"Besides," she added, "if you wish to find out what my mother truly wants, you will need strength before she shows her hand." She looked at the books. "She does not waste her time on the weak."

He could not entirely hide his surprise. "Your mother wishes me harm?"

Aviaryn shrugged. "I do not know. I do not think so. But if she decides it is easier to harm you than to align with you, you would be a convenient target." She said it without particular concern. "It is a shame you are so weak that you need to go there at all. I hear it smells like dead things, which would make sense, I suppose." Another shrug. "Luckily I do not need it. In fact, I have never been there at all," she said it with something like pride. "I was raised here and I am strong enough on blood alone. It is those of you not born here that need the Bloodhaven to reach even mediocre levels of strength."

He said nothing to that.

They moved back toward the stairs. His chest ached at the climb but he did not slow. Aviaryn did not appear to notice or chose not to comment, which amounted to the same thing.

At the top of the stairs a bell rang somewhere in the castle's upper levels. She turned to him.

"Have you left your chambers at all before now?"

"No."

She frowned. "Now that you have shown you can walk," she said, "you will need to eat at the table tonight."

"That will not be necessary."

She turned to face him fully. "Your enemies could be anywhere. Even here in Morrath." She held his eyes. "How will you find them if you continue to hide?"

He looked at her and could not think of an answer that would be sufficient.

"Fine," he said. "Dinner it is."

She turned and walked back down the corridor toward her rooms, the books still tucked under her arm.

He watched her go.

Then he started the walk back to his chambers to dress for dinner. It was a short walk and his chest reminded him of that with every step.

He did not slow down.

CHAPTER 28

The End of the Tunnel

This time I was grateful for the lantern.

The tunnel somehow seemed darker than before, its winding passage swallowing the light until only the small circle around my feet remained.

The drums were quiet tonight. Just my own footsteps and the cold and the distant sound of water somewhere below.

At last, the opening appeared.

Beyond it lay only darkness.

It's the middle of the night, I reminded myself. Even if Colsar came... he has surely gone back to the palace.

Still...

I walked closer.

And closer.

Until I stood before the invisible barrier separating Morrath from Urasal.

To anyone else, the darkness beyond would have appeared empty.