I talked to Kazi, unsure if she could hear anything, but hoping it would keep her from slipping away from me. “Besides eating a mountain of feastcake, we’re going to have to dance that jig I taught you. In front of everyone. That means we’ll need to practice. Maybe we’ll teach Wren and Synové too. They’re here with me, Kazi. They’re here for you. We’re all here for you. Stay with us.” I pressed my lips to her temple. “Stay.”
“Or we can dance to this one.” I began humming “Wolf Moon.” I knew it was a tune she liked. “It doesn’t have to be a jig. Anything you want, Ambassador Brightmist. Including that apartment on the upper level. I’ll make sure it’s always stocked with bowls of oranges.”
Summer and winter. Anything.
* * *
The narrow ridge finally opened up onto a forest-filled plateau, and I told Kazi, “Hold on, Ambassador. We’re going to fly again. We’re almost there.”
And we almost were.
We rode through a clearing, the falls only minutes away, and I thanked the gods for our clear passage, but I thanked them too soon.
“Behind us!” Gunner yelled. I glanced over my shoulder. Out of nowhere, a patrol appeared, galloping on horses and gaining ground fast, with archers leading the way. Soon we’d be in range.
Wren and Gunner came up on either side of me. “Nine of them,” Gunner called.
“Ten,” Wren corrected. I couldn’t do any fighting with Kazi in my arms, and there was no way the remaining four could take on ten.
Paxton fell back with us. “Ride ahead,” he yelled to me. “We’ll be your cover. With us behind you, they won’t see you veer into the woods. Priya and I will go one direction, and Wren and Gunner the other to lead them away. We’ll keep them on our tail.”
I couldn’t argue. I was of no use to them, and time was running out for Kazi, but I knew they were risking everything.
“Go!” Priya ordered. “Now!”
I rode ahead, holding Kazi tight in my arm, and yelled to Mije, “Baricha!” to push him faster, a command that had saved me once. I prayed it would save Kazi now.
We disappeared into the cover of the forest in one direction, while my family disappeared in the other.
* * *
I rode Mije into the cave as far as I could, and now I ran.
“Stay with me, Kazi!” It was no longer a plea, but a command. “Stay with me! Do you hear me, dammit? Don’t leave me!”
There were no more spasms. No more groans. The last time I’d felt for her pulse, I couldn’t find it.
My lungs burned. My arms ached. The torch in my hand shook wildly, scraping walls, sparks showering.
I threw the torch to the ground, then laid Kazi near the door. I grabbed a rock from the cave floor and banged on the wall, forgetting the code.
I gathered Kazi back into my arms.
“Open it!” I screamed, kicking the door. “Open the door! Now!”
It was an eternity before I heard the low growl of a wheel and the door finally opened.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
JASE
I burst in, Kazi limp in my arms, and I called for the healer, rushing through one room to the next. Everyone pointed in different directions, uncertain where she was.
“That way.”
“She’s in the sickroom.”
“Over there?”