Pieces of Eight by Melissa Wright

Author:Melissa Wright [Wright, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Melissa Wright

8

Out of the Blue

We rode without event for days, and I realized I’d started to become relaxed instead of prepared for the battle we were heading toward. When we stopped for the evening I sought out Ruby for training, even though I knew after a few lashes of that whip I’d regret it.

However, she must have been taking it easy on me because I didn’t fare too badly, even besting her twice. She cut practice short, prattling something about Grey, and stomped off toward Chevelle. I watched her for a moment, but a chill caught me as I stood, now motionless. I picked up my pack and found the closest thing to an isolated spot among the trees and rocks as I could to change into warmer clothes.

Ruby had taken to tinkering with my garments, so the strings of the vest I held were adorned with tiny beaded jewels and feathers. The latter reminded me of my strategy to sweep the sky each day, which I cringed at neglecting. I stuffed the bejeweled vest back into the pack, but the next morning, as soon as we mounted, I found a vessel and closed my eyes, settling into its mind.

Though it had been a cool morning, the sun was bright and the sky was clear. It was embarrassing how long I soared before I noticed something was wrong. I didn’t exactly know where we were going, but I had no doubt that wherever Council was, it wasn’t back up the mountain.

I pulled back to my body and almost before I opened my eyes shot out, “Where are we going?”

Five pairs of eyes focused on me. Ruby said, “Oh.”

“Oh?” I repeated.

“Well”—she shrugged—“when you were comatose the other night, there was a change of plans.”

“And no one thought they should tell me?”

She smiled. “You just go so easily these days, I didn’t know if I should.” At the sound of my teeth grinding, her playful tone disappeared. “Frey, please. Trust us.”

My eyes narrowed.

“Fine.” She sighed. “We are going back to the castle.”

The castle? I had been so far off. We had been riding for days in the opposite direction and I’d had no idea. I didn’t know what irritated me worse, the fact that they’d left me in the dark or that I’d been oblivious. “Wait, why are we going back to the castle?”

The horses slowed to a walk, and I could feel the tension surge. I swallowed hard.

“Freya, Fannie has destroyed a number of Grand Council members. Those who remain are not waiting for her there.”

I wondered if they were chasing after her now, and if they had given up on me for the moment. “How many?”

“We do not have an exact count.”

“But several. And Ruby, I don’t have my mind back.” My features contorted and I worked to compose them, not wanting more information kept from me in their attempt to protect me.

“We will take care of you, Frey. We will find those who remain and—”

“Ruby,” I interrupted, “why? Why haven’t I recovered? How many of them were in on the binding?”

“It’s not how many, Frey.

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