Page 226 of Sword & Shadow
Deckard dipped his head toward her. “Eat,” he whispered. “Please.”
Holding his calm green-blue gaze, Evylin discovered an unexpected confidence within. Did he still have hope they could escape? The thought of the disguised Night Relic bobbed to the surface of her memory. If Deckard had it, could he slip it to her? But what good would that do? One weapon wouldn’t be enough against the numerous guards and Mages in Renaul’s employ. Would it? With Deckard and Evylin’s powers combined... Maybe.
Even if they managed to resist, escape seemed impossible. Deckard’s magic was strong, but it wasn’t limitless. So far, he’d only used it in quick but powerful bursts. Though their jaunt in the Time Keep was long, he’d entered the battle after two days of rest. They were all weakened by their time with Caustin. If they relied too heavily on Deckard’s magic, he could black out as Ilain had after the Wind Keep.
Heeding Deckard’s request, Evylin began to eat. Her stomach felt weighted. With each bite she swallowed, the heaviness increased, driving the worry deeper and deeper into her core.
Regardless of whether they could launch an escape attempt and no matter if they succeeded, Evylin was determined to procure Deckard’s promise first. If it came down to staying aliveto Bond with Blount or dying to be set free, hehadto kill her. She might not have a weapon, but he always would. The image of his magic at work rose to the surface of her mind. He could summon one of those crystalline shards and pierce her heart, saving her from a dreadful fate.
Deckard would protest, of course. He would rail and insist there was another way. Yet, in the end, he’d see reason. He would end her life to spare her from agony because he loved her.
Emotion constricted Evylin’s chest. Deckard loved her, and she loved him. But the chance to tell him was swiftly slipping from her grasp. When the dinner was over, Renaul would separate them, and Evylin would lose her final opportunity. She had to secure his promise and tell him of her lovebeforedinner concluded.
The gentle clatter of utensils on porcelain and the crackle of the fire were the only sounds in the room. Evylin lifted her eyes to Rafferty, silently pleading with him to start a conversation so she could speak with Deckard. Somehow, the weasel caught her stare and interpreted its meaning with a subtle nod.
He opened his mouth, but Renaul beat him to it. “Well,” she said with a snap that made Evylin jump. The servants stepped forward to clear the table. “This has been a real pleasure. Before we depart, I wanted to thank you all for your help in recovering the Relics. Rouland will be so pleased.”
Rafferty cleared his throat, staring pointedly at Deckard. “Happy to be of service,” he said significantly.
While Evylin furrowed her brow, Deckard gave the man a barely perceptible nod.
Renaul didn’t notice their silent communication. She rose, beckoning the guards forward. “Return them to their rooms,” she ordered.
Evylin reached for Deckard, but he was already grabbing her hand. Her panic spiked. She needed to tell him, to convince him.The words were on the tip of her tongue. Her heart pounded in her ears.
Renaul stepped back as the guards came forward. “Make sure you station guards at each door,” she told Highlady Freye. “No one is allowed to go in or out until Prince Blount arrives in the morning. If they give you trouble, tie them up, knock them out, or do whatever you think is best.”
Highlady Freye stood, her fingers coiling around Evylin’s arm.
“Jonn,” Evylin whispered, her hands and voice shaking as she clung to him. The shackles jangled as the Mage pulled her out of her seat. Deckard stood with her, pushing one of the guards off to remain with her.
“Please,” Renaul said as though they were petulant children, “don’t make a scene. It’s so unnecessary.”
“At least give us a moment to say goodbye,” Deckard pleaded, his arm crushing her to his chest. Evylin didn’t like how unsteady his voice sounded, like another man’s and not the kind, sure captain she’d married.
Renaul gave a flippant wave of her hand. “Oh, you’ll have all night for that.”
Evylin and Deckard froze.
“What?” Evylin gasped.
Renaul smirked. “I have a soft spot for romance. And I wantyouto remember every second of your last night together.” She said the words with a pointed and cruel look in Evylin’s direction.
Unconvinced, Deckard held her close, and Evylin pressed herself into his side.
“Rest well, dear ones,” Renaul said, then surveyed the other three men. “I’m afraid you’ll have to remain alone. Unless...” She studied Thom with a wicked eye. “You’d be interested in joining me?”
Thom snarled at her. “I’d sooner let Ilain Calder burn me alive.”
“Suit yourself,” Renaul said, and with a last flick of her wrist, directed, “Take them away.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
In a grand parade, Highlady Freye and the guards led the five Ephrians back through the shadowed halls of Lady Renaul’s mansion. Deckard and Evylin refused to let go of one another, still not secure in the noblewoman’s promise. Neither would put it past the lady to play such a cruel joke.
Surrounded by guards on all sides, Thom, Rafferty, and Ethenn trailed behind them. Despite the hours remaining until Blount’s arrival in the morning, it felt like a death march. The chill of the night seeped into the mansion, turning its white halls an eerie gray. Servants pulled the curtains as they walked, deepening the darkness. Their footsteps echoed off the marbled floor, each thud reverberating in Evylin’s chest to rattle her senses.
They neared the main foyer, where the grand staircases awaited their ascent. Thom pressed forward, closing the gap between them as much as his guards would allow. “If this is it,” he said, gaining Deckard’s attention, “I want you to know: I’m sorry.”
