“Ah, child, sometimes one’s sight is for personal use alone.” Dramin spoke softly, before waving his hand and refilling my mug from across the room.
“I don’t like how that sounds,” I sulked, as I threw myself back in my chair, stubbornly leaving the newly filled mug on the side table.
“Well, at least now we have a plan.” Ilyan sighed, before he too moved to sit back down. At least everyone had finally seemed to calm down.
“Worst case scenario, Ovailia doesn’t bring Ryland, betrays us all, and we are dead by morning.” Ilyan mused humorously. “Best case scenario, she brings Ryland, isn’t a traitor, and everyone lives happily ever after.”
While I was happy that we were finally going to have a chance of getting Ryland back, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss at what we were going to be leaving behind.
“What will happen to Wyn if we take Ryland?” I asked, everything clicking together. “She was their bargaining chip. You don’t think they’ll…?”
“They have Wynifred?” I jumped at the startling panic in Thom’s voice.
My head jerked over to him, my eyes narrowing in confusion.
“Thom, we can talk about this later,” Ilyan said, that thick royal line streaming into his voice.
“But, she said…” Thom pleaded.
“I know Thom.”
Their eyes locked daggers, I looked between the two of them before looking to Dramin for answers but he wouldn’t even meet my eyes.
“They will not hurt Wyn,” Ilyan said. I wasn’t sure if he was assuring me or Thom. “They will still need a bargaining chip to get you to turn yourself in. Without Ryland, Wyn is the best they have.”
Thom nodded and sat down, Ilyan following suit as he grabbed my hand. I looked at him, but he shook his head. I was so confused; Wyn had told me she had never met Thom.
I looked to Ilyan, but he still shook his head. I brushed it off, I would get answers later, besides it wasn’t just Wyn they held captive.
“And what about Talon and my Dad?”
“One thing at a time, child,” Dramin said, his voice low and comforting. “You saw her carry Ryland, so we know she will bring him. Maybe the others will be mentioned tomorrow, but at least we know of one who will be returned to us.”
“I understand.” I said and grabbed the warm mug without thinking. This was war; there were always casualties in war. I already knew I was going to be one of them. My anxiety peaked at the thought, Ilyan’s magic instantly moving to calm me. He looked at me out of the corner of his eye, but I ignored the fact that I could see him.
“We will get them back, Joclyn,” Ilyan said when it was obvious I wasn’t going to acknowledge him. “But if we don’t, please do not forget what you and I have seen. No matter what happens, I will always be there for you.” Ilyan leaned forward, his voice low and meant only for me. I knew the others could still hear him, but I didn’t care. I was grateful for his comfort, his support.
“Well then,” Dramin interrupted loudly, “if that’s all settled, I am going to bed. I have been awake for seventy-eight hours, and my body is a little tired. Seeing as Joclyn’s eyes are dragging, I don’t think she is ready to face a full two days without sleep.”
Dramin stood and began to make his exit, his long black bathrobe dragging on the stone floor.
“More water, child, more water!” he called as he walked away toward his bunk.
“Good night, Dramin,” I called before taking an obligatory sip.
“Well, if Dramin’s leaving then I sure as hell don’t have to be here to watch this gush fest.” Thom did not wait for anyone to say anything more. He stood and strode away; his hands plunged into his pockets.
“Goodnight, Thom,” I called, although I knew he wouldn’t care either way.
“Whatever.” He grunted as he disappeared behind the blanket he had hung over his bunk.
I watched the blanket for a moment before turning back to my Black Water, letting it warm me.
Ilyan sat silently next to me, watching me as I took sip after sip. After a few minutes, I began to feel uncomfortable. Mostly because I knew he knew what I was doing. I took another long drink, staring him right in the eye.
“Are you ready?” he asked, softly.
Honestly, I would never be ready. I looked away from him, back to the fire, and set my mug down with a gentle clink.
“You know, with everything that has happened, you think I would be more ready,” I whispered, not wanting anyone but Ilyan to hear. “You think I would plunge into the nightmares and know exactly what’s going on and there wouldn’t be a worry or a stress about it.”
I hesitated and pulled my blanket up to my neck, trying to fight the desire to hide. Instead I watched the fire, the magical flames burning and crackling in a rainbow of colors. I kept my focus on the flame, not knowing if I wanted to meet Ilyan’s eyes.