Sky of Wind by Emily Deady

Chapter 28

“We did it,” Meena whispered triumphantly as they climbed back along the hidden path. “We actually found it.”

“And only two guards on duty,” Sol said, his voice as excited as hers. “We don’t know how many soldiers guard the kitchen entrance, but if Neven and I can get back here after dark tomorrow, we can take the guards out quickly and quietly. We don’t want to give them a chance to sound the alarm.”

Meena forced her tired legs to follow after Sol. They had climbed so much already, but the end was in sight. “How deep inside do you think the tunnel goes?” she asked. “And do you think it will be hard to find the right tunnel or cave or door once we are inside?”

“It might go fairly deep,” Sol replied. “But thanks to the wind—which was partially your idea, at least I wouldn’t have thought about it if you hadn’t asked since I’ve never used the magic like that before—we should be able to get through whatever maze is inside.”

“I hope this works,” Meena said. Her hands were strangely tingling from a mixture of excitement and fear. “We are so close.”

“Speaking of close,” Sol said, his spirits still high. “We are close to home as well.”

Meena looked up from her feet to stare at the outer wall of the fortress directly above them. The wall looked far more ominous in the dark of night, blocking out the bright stars above.

“This part might be difficult,” Sol said, stepping to the side so she could pass by him. “But I’ve no doubt you can make it up, and have likely scaled something similar.”

Meena smiled at his confidence in her.

He stepped behind her, his body cutting off the cool ocean breeze and instantly warming her. “And if you do need help, I’ll be right here behind you.”

Meena turned around. She wasn’t quite ready to return to the stifling bedroom and dangers of the fortress.

“Actually, I was more concerned about you,” she whispered. “Perhaps you should go first and I can catch you since you are more likely to fall.”

Even in the darkness, Meena could see the broad smile that split across his face.

He was laughing at her jest.

Meena’s heart felt so light she thought it might float right out of her chest and into the sky. Unable to contain the feeling by herself, she reached up and placed her palm against his cheek.

His skin was rough but warm.

“Sol,” she whispered. “May I?” She stood on tiptoe, bringing her face closer to his as she looked from his eyes to his mouth.

His smile slowly relaxed into something more. She could hear him inhale. The intensity of the breathy sound tickled over her ears like an unexpected breeze.

She felt a shiver run down her spine, but she was not cold.

He dropped his head closer to hers, stopping when their noses gently touched. He slowly closed his eyes, letting out a breathy sigh. His hand came up to cover hers, cradling it against his cheek.

She moved her thumb, stroking the soft spot above the rough stubble on his chin. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. She wanted to share this moment with him, to express the excitement, anxiety, and absolute craziness of their ridiculously hopeless mission in a way that words could not.

“Meena,” he whispered. His voice was full of longing, but she could feel the tenseness in his jaw below her hand.

“I’m not asking for forever,” she said, before he could deny her. “I just want to share this moment with you. Right here. Right now. Whatever tomorrow may bring. No ties.” She moved her face back and forth, gently rubbing the end of his nose with her own.

“I would like nothing more.” He opened his eyes as he spoke.

She smiled and slowly closed her eyes as he slipped his face even closer to hers.

His lips brushed against hers and gently remained.

She tilted her head back to meet his face better and inhaled through her nose.

He slipped one hand around her waist, holding her steady but not possessively.

His lips were soft, featherlight, dry, and warm.

Her whole body relaxed into his touch. Her mind relaxed, losing track of every other worry. All of her was exactly where she wanted to be.

The pressure in her toes brought her back to reality, and she inhaled shakily as she dropped back down to her heels, breaking off the softest of kisses.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Sol nodded. As he slowly slid his hand from her waist, he pressed her side gently, turning her around toward their destination.

As she turned away, her eyes filled with unbidden tears.

She wanted forever.

She could not ask him for what he couldn’t give.

But he had given her this one moment, and she would cherish it in her heart forever.

Sol watchedthe woman in front of him deftly climb her way back up to their window.

Even if he could think of the words he wanted to say, he was too afraid to move his mouth. His lips remembered the feeling of her so perfectly, and he didn’t want to lose that memory.

He wanted to grab her waist, twist her back to face him, and kiss her properly. Kiss her with the promise of tomorrow, not the regret of yesterday.

He reminded himself that he couldn’t afford to love her. Loving her meant losing her. The ironclad excuse, which had always protected him, felt like a sheet of parchment in a storm. But as excited as he was about the discovery they had just made, his doubts about completing the mission successfully were higher.

With every step toward the manse, his body grew more tense. Something was bound to go wrong when they put the plan into action.

But all looked well as they approached their window. Everything was dark and quiet. Meena climbed through the window first, soundlessly landing on her feet on the other side.

Sol followed her just as silently.

“We made progress, Sol, we can celebrate that.” The tone of her voice sounded like she needed something to celebrate.

Sol, still unable to speak, nodded as he quietly closed the window covering, locking it in place.

The sun had not yet started to rise, but it would make its appearance soon.

When he turned around, Meena was stifling a yawn.

“Go to bed, princess,” he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. “We did make progress.”

She nodded. “Goodnight, Sol.” She turned away from him, making her way toward the bed.

He knew it would be useless to try to sleep. “I’m going to light a candle in the corner and draw out a map of the interior of the fort, at least what I remember of the cellars. Will that bother you?” he asked.

“Not at all. I could sleep through anything,” she replied in the darkness.

Sol smiled despite the pain in his heart. He knew she could sleep through anything.

Finding his way through the room. He pulled the tinderbox from the corner of the desk, intending to strike a spark so he could light the candle.

His hand stilled. This was a noisy task.

Stepping silently to the door, he ensured the latch was locked closed.

He was being over cautious, but something felt wrong.

Kissing Meena had awakened desires he sought to avoid. Like the desire to survive this mission even that meant failing it.

He walked back over to the small table. He could use his magic to light the candle.

He needed to refocus his mind on what was truly important.

Holding his hands in front of him, he began to draw on the dwindling harmony within him to create a small glowing orb of light. Placing it gently over the wick of a tall candle, he waited for the flame to catch.

It sparked with a hiss that sounded obnoxiously loud in the quiet room. He jumped.

“Get some sleep, too, Sol,” Meena whispered. “We need you well rested for tomorrow night.”

“I will,” Sol replied automatically, even though he intended to do no such thing. He straightened a piece of parchment on the table and pulled out the chair to sit down.

Suddenly, the door to their room burst open with enough force to break the lock and the latch.

Meena screamed.

Sol swung toward the intruder, instantly funneling his magic into the small orb of light he already carried so that it glowed brighter.

The light illuminated the terrifying sight of several Falqri soldiers pouring into the room. Sol pushed the orb of light into their faces, hoping to blind them as it was the only thing he had access to.

Reaching behind him, he grabbed the now lit candle and moved into the defensive stance which was more natural to him than walking.

Multiple soldiers were already upon him.

He tipped the candle forward, brandishing the flame in the face of the soldier nearest him.

The man flinched, but pushed forward, swiping the candle out of the way and simultaneously putting out the flame.

As the soldiers grabbed his arms, he twisted them out of the way, responding quickly and effectively against their attack.

But there was only so much one man could do in a crowded room filled with his enemies.

Within moments, he found himself forced to his knees while his arms were bound behind his back and a familiar weight settled around his neck.

They had locked his magic.

“Unhand the Prince of Iseldis!” Meena shouted.

Sol could not see her through the crowd of soldiers, especially from his position on the floor. He struggled against the binding on his wrists.

He always known they would come for him, but he had never imagined they would come for Meena.

Not the cheerful, loyal, self-giving, seeker of justice who had been the best companion these last few blissful days.

“Unhand the Princess of Iseldis!” a new voice called out. It took Sol a moment to recognize the voice as Jules’s. His commanding tenor was far more powerful than his flattering host voice. Even Sol paused for a moment at his order.

The soldiers must have also listened because after a short scuffle, he could see Meena’s head pop up over the crowded room. She was standing on the bed and her eyes sought his.

“Release him immediately! You will answer to my father for this!” she yelled.

“You do not make the orders here, Princess,” Councilor Younn said from the doorway.

“What goes on here, Councilor?” Jules asked. His voice sounded confused, but Sol guessed he had been in on the entire plan.

“I have reason to believe that Solano is a dangerous Majis,” Younn said. “He will be taken to Chendas for the Council to deal with him.”

“No!” Meena screamed. “My husband can’t be a Majis! You’ve made a mistake!”

Sol fought against the rope at his hands, though he knew it was useless.

“If a mistake has been made, then King Gareth will send him back to his irritatingly stupid little wife.” Younn’s voice was filled with disdain as he looked at Meena. “You will be on board the next ship sailing north.”

“No!” Meena’s scream filled the room, piercing Sol’s ears and his heart.

As Sol was led out the door, Meena tried to catch his eye.

He twisted his head as they pushed him forward and managed to blink twice.

He couldn’t tell if she saw it because when he opened his eyes she was hidden from view.

He hoped she would keep fighting. He would, until the very end.

A sharp stinging pain on his left hand momentarily distracted him. He shuffled his wrists together to try and reach the awkward spot between his thumb and pointer finger. He could feel a hard substance stuck there.

As soon as he rubbed against it, the small spot burned with pain and the substance refused to move.

It was a drop of wax.

He’d been burned with a drop of wax. It had probably happened when he was brandishing the candle, but he had not noticed the pain in the moment.

Meena still screamed at the soldiers behind him.

He rubbed the spot again, despite the additional pain it caused. It irked him that one tiny thing could hurt so badly.