"Estela," he murmurs, shocking me out of my reverie. "Will you help me put on my helmet?"
For a moment, I’m frozen. It’s clear he doesn’t need any help from me. This is a deepening of the vulnerability between us. “Of course," I answer, but my hands tremble slightly as I lift the ornate headpiece.
When I slide it onto his head, I feel a primal force that seemed to emanate from the very depths of the earth concentrate in the stone on my chest. It was a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying, a dark reminder of the sacrifices that had been made and those that still lay before us.
"Thank you, Estela," he whispers, my breath catching as I fasten the final strap.
“Good luck,” I say, feeling like we have reached a space past words. "Be careful."
“I will be,” he assures me.
With one final, lingering look, he turns and strides out of his chamber. My mind is filled with the haunting image on the base of the mountain when I tried to escape. I thought I would die that night.
As I watch Teo's retreating form, his armored figure glinting in the light, a hollow ache starts in my chest. But there was no time for me to dwell on the pain; I am a part of these people. They might need me, too. With a deep breath, I force myself out of his room, with the other Enduares. It’s time to join my people.
When I reach the pavilion, the first person I see is Ulla.
"Estela," she calls out. “Good that you have arrived. We need your help.” I already see the beginnings of a meal around her.
I nod, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. "Of course. I'm here for you."
Together, we work side by side as we start to prepare the hall for the meal. This will be the food that Teo eats when he is finished.
"Here, Estela,” Ulla says, handing me a large pot filled with steaming broth. "Make sure everyone gets their share."
"Understood," I reply, my voice hoarse from suppressed emotion. As I ladle the nourishing liquid into the waiting bowls, I can’t help but think of all the hunters entering the tunnel, wondering if they will make it out.
"Thank you, Estela,” murmurs one of the young Enduares, her eyes dull with exhaustion as she accepts the food. I marvel that they welcomed us when I gave them very little reason to.I am lucky to have them in my life.
When I see Arlet on the other side of the room, I pause and go sit by her. She is talking with some of the other women, specifically Neela.
When I draw near, they all look up at me.I'm surprised when it is Neela who speaks up. "How was King Teo before you left him?"
Heat creeps up my neck for them to know that we were just together, but it makes sense. We left in a very public way. "He is confident all will be well."
She nods.
I catch Arlet's eye and she gives me a small smile. "I worry for them too. Come, sit with us. Everyone can finish their meals in peace. Let me teach you how to play the pebble game."
I pause for a moment, grateful for Arlet's kind gesture. It felt good to have friends in this new place, to feel part of something again.
Chapter29
Rose Quartz
TEO
The world away from Estela is cold. Her words run through my mind.
Do not die, she says in her tongue through our bond.
I hold my breath, wondering if she even knows she is doing it. The cavern around us is cold, but the Ardorflame has already started to glow more brilliantly in the center of the space. Once we finish this mission, we could prepare for the festival. All would be well.
“Remove the wall,” I command Luth and Salo. As their hands twist in front of them, stones start to rearrange and the wall breaks apart, revealing the dank, misty tunnel beyond.
The stone benders had tethered spell lights to follow each of the five hunters. We move cautiously. There are ten of us in the group, outnumbering the cold creatures by one. Salo and I lead the line, while Vann and Luth trail close behind. Faol, Joso, Keio, Svanna, Niht, and Vorin follow after in rows of two.
I pause at the beginning of the mists, looking back at my advisor. His injuries hadn’t killed him, but they had been slow to heal. Some sort of darkness lived within, as Liana said. “Are you sure you want to go?”