She smiles.
I back away. “Whatever you think you know—you’re wrong. And if you don’t shut up right now, I’ll call the guard and have him silence you.”
“Oh, fine, have it your way. But if there were something to tell, your secret would be safe with me.”
“Right. Like I’d ever trust you.”
“Look at me, Vane.”
She waits for me to meet her eyes and I’m struck by how much they remind me of Audra’s. The same dark blue that almost looks black. The same intense stare.
“In a strange way, I should be thanking you,” she whispers. “I never realized how much the winds affected me—how much the pain fueled my life. Not until you had them suck all the winds away. It was like I could finally think again, after living in a fog for so long.”
She steps back, rubbing the skin on her arms.
Audra never told me much about her mother, but I know she feels things on the wind that no one else can. A rare gift that gives her crucial insights. And causes her incredible pain.
“I won’t waste my time apologizing for what I’ve done,” she says after a moment. “But I do want you to know that it wasn’t me. Not really. My gift is very . . . confusing.”
“Hey—you know what else is confusing? Growing up an orphan with no memories of my past. And I’m betting Audra thought it was pretty confusing growing up without a father—especially since you let her believe she killed him.”
I’m done with this conversation.
I stalk back to my pillows, lying on my side with my back to her.
“How is she?”
There’s an ache in Arella’s voice that I’m not used to hearing. It almost sounds like she cares. And even though I’m sure it’s all part of her game, I decide to answer her question.
“She’s free.”
“Good.”
I glance over my shoulder, stunned by the peaceful smile spread across her lips.
This woman is a murderer, I remind myself.
“You’re wasting your time with this I’m a changed woman act. I don’t buy it—and Audra won’t either. You’re lucky I stopped her from killing you that day in the desert.”
“You mean when she was attacking me with Westerlies?”
She drags out the last word as she raises one eyebrow.
I sit up, trying to stay calm. “I taught her a few commands.”
“I’m sure you did. But you haven’t taught anyone else, have you? I wonder why that is.” Arella presses her face against the chains, smashing her pale skin through the gaps. “There’s no point denying it, Vane. I can see it in your eyes. But I’m not going to tell the Gales, if you’re wondering. I see no point in being on the bad side of the only person who can release me. Or his future wife.”
The word “wife” throws me. I guess Audra will be my wife someday, given that we’re already bonded.
But that’s still a weird thought.
I try to picture Audra and me living in a house somewhere like normal people—though is that how normal sylphs live? All I’ve ever seen are the Gales, and my only childhood memories are from when we were on the run. I have no idea how it works for regular Windwalkers.
Of course, if I’m king, wouldn’t we be living in some sort of crazy wind palace?
Focus, Vane.
Psycho woman threatening you right now.
“If you think you can convince me to let you out of here, you’re a bigger idiot than I thought. So why don’t you skip the whole blackmailing thing and let me get some sleep?”
“You do look exhausted, Vane. When was the last time you slept?” “I don’t remember,” I admit, lying back down and rolling away.
She’s quiet for so long I start to drift off—or I must have because when she finally speaks it makes me jump.
“Is it nightmares or fantasies?”
The question is so spot-on I can’t help turning back to face her. “How did you know?”
“The winds told me many things about Raiden’s tricks. I’ve just never seen their effect.” She squints at me, and it’s like she’s staring into my brain. “It’s been nightmares mostly, hasn’t it? Though I’m sure the fantasies linger? And I bet I know what they were about.”
Okay, that’s just creepy.
“Stop acting like you know me.”
“But I do know you, Vane. We’re not as different as you’d like to believe. We both know how to break the rules and take risks when it comes to something we really want.”
“You realize you’re talking about murdering my parents, right?”
Does she really not get that I could order her execution if I wanted to?
Well, I think I could.
I could certainly try.
“I’m just trying to show you that I can help you. Whatever games Raiden’s playing. Whatever brought you down here, pale and weak and willing to be locked underground in this miserable place just so you can finally sleep. I can stop it. It’s my gift.”
I watch her rub the skin on her arms and hate myself for being a tiny bit curious.