The Shadowglass (The Bone Witch #3)(114)

Aenah told me it was acts of violence that turned one heart’s black. What she failed to elaborate on was that violence against me would have the same result. I should have known—hadn’t I seen Aenah’s grief over her dead child and her burning city, watched that instant when her own heart had succumbed to black? Hadn’t Druj shared a similar story of loss?

“What do you intend to do, Tea?”

“What do you want me to do, Khalad? Isn’t that why you’ve traveled all this way? You would not have left Likh’s side if you didn’t believe her situation was hopeless. Where do you plan to go?”

The Heartforger hung his head. “Daanoris, to start. Master kept many books there with notes on heartsglass. There might be something I could find for Likh.”

“And you chose to pay me a courtesy call along the way?”

“I was worried, Tea!”

I smiled sadly. The time for worry had passed. “I know you, Khalad. I may not have all my heartsglass yet, but I can read yours. There’s something you want from me.”

The Heartforger paused and reached into his rucksack. He pulled out a familiar pouch, and all seven bezoars spilled into my hands.

“I’m glad there are still things I can hide from you.” He smiled grimly. “I left Kion for good. The elders thought Likh would keep me there and out of trouble. Instead, I snuck into their study like we had all those months ago and took back the bezoars they stole. I couldn’t find your heartsglass—no one but Hestia seems to know where it is.”

I burst into laughter, and Khalad looked startled. “Probably buried somewhere so they never have to look at it again. Why are you giving these to me?”

“Because I am going to help you. Druj is still out there. You can still complete shadowglass if you want to.”

“Stranger’s Peak rejected me—”

“There is no rule about taking the test a second time. As I recall, Agnarr himself invited you to return. The final test—Druj said it was for love. Was it about Kalen?”

I nodded, my gaze sweeping, as it often did, to the small, makeshift cairn I had fashioned over Kalen’s grave.

“I want to know if there’s anything in Master’s notes that will help me save Likh, but even I know the chances of a cure are small. The only way I can think to lift her curse is to rid the world of magic like Druj and the Gorvekai wanted.” He clenched his fist. “It’s a selfish desire, I know. But if that’s what you want as well, then I’ll help you. I’ll forge whatever you need, whatever you want. Just please—” His voice cracked. “If you love Likh, then help me save her.”

The bezoars glittered in my hands, and my black, half-finished heartsglass pulsed in answer. “Do they ask for me?”

Khalad nodded. “Fox was—is—frantic. He’s in Yadosha searching for you. He’s being watched closely, but I don’t think the elders believe he’s in contact with you.”

He paused. “Do you—do you want me to tell Fox where you are?”

I shook my head. He would not believe me about the oracle or Altaecia. Not like this. “No. He will learn soon enough. Thank you for keeping my location a secret. You’ve placed yourself at great risk for me.”

“Do you mean to stay here forever, Tea?”

“On the contrary.” I lifted my hand and traced a rune in the air. The ground beneath us shuddered, and several of the ancient skeletons that slumbered nearby moved.

“Go to Daanoris, and see what help your Master’s notes reveal,” I said. “I have my own trials to complete.”

? ? ?

I knelt on falling snow before the entrance to Stranger’s Peak. Lord Agnarr of the Gorvekai stood before me. His face was wooden and expressionless, but I saw sympathy in his gaze. “You are Little Tears’s salvation, and ours,” he said. “You have passed our trials as no other asha has done before you. I will teach you the secrets of shadowglass, to unmake the magic of the world. Do you accept, Tea of the Embers?”

A new vision swam through my mind. I saw all seven daeva bowing to me, with Kalen, smiling and alive, my hand in his, while I stood surrounded by light. You were right, Lily, my heartsglass wept. A prince on my arm, surrounded by silver. You were right.

“Are you ready, love?” the Kalen of my vision asked again.

I stood, and darkness swirled. There was no darkrot in me, only purpose. “Always,” I said.





“Do you think to stay long, milord?” the lady asked me, smiling brightly.

Representatives of the seven kingdoms had traveled far and wide to Ankyo, to celebrate the marriage between Princess Inessa and her royal consort, General Fox Pahlavi. I was still unused to the dazzling displays of courtiers and ornate coaches as noble guests and emissaries clustered around the palace entrance, offering well wishes to Kion officials. Conscious of my simpler garb, I excused myself and retreated to the nearly empty royal gardens, seeking a few minutes’ respite. The gardens were open to those curious enough to explore, though the fanfare at the castle gates proved more popular. I could sing before a crowd without fear, but to mingle with the nobility as one of them was distressing.

Without thinking, I sought out the twin statues at the center of the carefully manicured garden. It had been completed only a month before, though a few elder asha still protested its inclusion on palace grounds. But General Fox had insisted, and Princess Inessa seconded his wish. She was the reason, she had argued, for Fox returning to her against all odds, even after magic had ebbed away from the lands. The bone witch—no, Lady Tea—was right. The loss of the runes would not stop the tide of politics, but they no longer had the poisonous bite they once did when they came armed with spells.