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Chapter 15
Fort
Carleah is deathly pale, and she sways on her feet. “Why not kill me then?” she asks. “I was there. They tried to capture me.”
“Because you must be where the giants sleep in order to awaken them. The blood must be warm and come directly from your vein. Otherwise, it won’t work.”
“But they didn’t kill my family over the entrance. They did it right outside of my house!”
I reach over and touch her arm, trying to be the calm in her storm. But if she notices, she doesn’t even look my way.
“Your kingdom resides over the top of the prison,” she says. “All one would need to do is spill the Navalis blood upon the snow.”
“They killed my father in the kitchen.”
“Then they likely moved his body out.”
I think of how we learned they’d strung the bodies up. We’d believed it was done in order to make a show of force, but what if it was more than that? What if they were hung up there so their blood would leak down into the snow?
“But, my brother Alex died away from our home. And Bowman is alive.”
Salma stands and crosses over to us. She reaches up and touches Carleah’s shoulder. “Navalis blood weakens the ward,” she says. “But only you can open it.”
“I won’t do it.”
Her sad smile tells me more than I care to understand. “Dear girl, you have no choice now. The prophecy is already set in motion. You will seek shelter with the Son of Flame, and he will use you.” Her gaze lifts to mine, but she doesn’t speak. Not that she needs to—the accusation is plain as day.
And I can’t even refute it because there’s a part of me that wonders, too.
“How do we ensure the giants are not woken?” Carleah asks. “How do we make sure that the prophecy doesn’t carry out?”
“I cannot know for sure,” she replies. “But I can tell you that you will need more than dwarves on your side if you are to win. And that is if you can even get into their tunnels.”
“This can’t be set in stone.” Carleah turns away from us, hands on her hips.
“The only thing that remains to be seen is whether or not you have the strength to do what needs to be done in order to put the giants back,” Salma says, once again, her gaze lifting to me. “That will be the true test.”
“And how do I do that?” Carleah demands. “How am I supposed to imprison the giants that I apparently release when it took an army of elves and humans to do it?”
“That is yet to be seen,” Salma replies. “But rest assured that, when the time comes, you will know.” She turns away. “Come with me so I can show you where to rest. Night will be falling and everyone returning home. Tomorrow, we will ensure you have what you need to continue your journey.”
* * *
By the time Salma leaves us in our room, Carleah has seemingly relaxed. She crosses over to the bed, which has been carved directly into the wall of the room, and takes a seat, head in her hands. I follow suit, my own mind reeling.
I always hated what I am. My entire life, I’ve felt like an outcast because of the giant blood in my veins. But now I’d give anything to have it back just so I could regain the illusion of control.
“Are you all right?”
She takes a deep breath. “It’s just one more thing, right?” Blue eyes meet mine.
“Just one more thing,” I agree as I wrap an arm around her shoulders. “But you’re not alone. I won’t leave your side, Carleah. I won’t allow him to use you.”
“You heard Salma,” she replies. “There’s apparently nothing else we can do.”
“She’s wrong. There’s not a damn thing in this realm you and I can’t do together. Keeping the Son of Flame from using you? It’s as you said—just one more thing.” I swallow hard. “And if it turns out to be me, I need you to make me a promise.”
“It’s not you.”
