CHAPTER 44

“Everybody up! Time for your breakfast. Everybody up!”

A guard walked down the line offering porridge and water to prisoners who recited, “I am grateful to His Majesty, King Damien, the true king of the mountain.” This guard was nothing like the sleek guards that kept watch over the royal family. He and his fellow officers were pudgy, oily, and unwashed. They looked strong but not very smart.

When the breakfast distributer reached Tovi, he looked at her expectantly. “You heard what they said. You say it, too, and I’ll give you your breakfast.”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

“I won’t say what the others said.”

“You have to, or I can’t give you your breakfast.”

“Then I won’t eat.”

“I’ve been ordered to give you your breakfast.”

“Fine, give me my breakfast.”

“No, you have to say it first.”

“I won’t say it.”

The guard looked flustered. “Hey, Cyd,” he called. “What do I do with one who refuses?”

“Tell her she has to say it,” Cyd yelled back.

“I did!”

“Tell her she won’t get her breakfast.”

“I did!”

“Okay, then take her to His Majesty. That’s what we had to do with the last one.”

When the guard was finished doling out food, he came back and took Tovi from her cell. Holding her by the arm, he pulled her down the aisle and up the stairs. They reached the patio where King Damien was breakfasting with Prince Ajax and Jairus.

“Excuse me, Your Majesty, this one refused her breakfast.”

“I see,” King Damien said calmly and evenly.

Tovi stood uncomfortably before her brother, father, and grandfather, affected by her exhaustion, hunger, and sore muscles.

Damien rose from his seat, circled the table, and grabbed her hand, looking at the palm. “You stupid girl. I see that one night in prison was not enough for you. You have held onto that heart,” he growled. He clamped his hand into a fist, crushing her fingers as if he could squeeze Silas out of her. “Remember this: all of your pain is because of him. All of it!” He continued to spew hateful lies, but she couldn’t hear him over her own screams. There were several loud cracks as the bones in her hand gave way. Damien opened his fist to find her fingers hanging limply. Turning them over as Tovi groaned he saw that the symbol was still there, and it hadn’t faded at all. He grabbed a knife from the table.

She tried to run, but she was weak, and he had an iron grip on her wrist. The guards moved several feet closer. Her father watched passively, as if he was bored. Her brother turned his face away.

As her grandfather savagely cut into her flesh, trying to dig deep enough to carve away the heart, he cried out, “He doesn’t love you, Tovi! Where is he? Why isn’t he stopping me? He’s not who you think he is! If he really loved you, he’d be here, saving you from all this pain. Right? Am I right? He doesn’t love you! He hates you! He left you! He doesn’t care! You should hate him! He deserves it! He left you just like he left me!”

All at once, Damien seemed to come back to himself, his wrath only apparent in the pulsing vein in his neck and the webs of black in his eyes. Tovi crouched on the ground, cradling her mangled and bloody hand.

“Look at me, Tovi,” Damien ordered, standing before her. “I said look at me! Look me in the eye and tell me that you still love him.”

This dare seemed to strengthen her, and Tovi bravely stared back. With trembling lips, she declared, “I still love him,” drawing out each word, savoring their meaning.

Damien threw the knife to the ground so that its bloody blade clattered across the stone patio. “Leave me. We will continue this lesson tomorrow.”

One of the guards took her back to the dungeon. On top of everything else, Tovi had suffered a good deal of blood loss. She dozed in and out of consciousness, unsure where reality began among her tormented thoughts. Ismene’s voice floated to her from the next cell, but it sounded much further away. “Listen for the other words, Tovi. The other voice. It’s there, I swear it.”

And there it was. She could hear it, quiet at first and then overpowering the other. It spoke to her from her memories, but it sounded like the words had always been meant for this specific moment.

What would your precious Silas think of you now? Pathetic, selfish, ruined . . . I love you. No matter what happens . . . You have become a vapid, greedy, bitter liar . . . You can talk to me about it. All of it . . . He will hate you for it . . . I won’t get mad . . . Where is he right now? He has abandoned you! You are alone . . . I’ve been with you the whole time . . .

Tovi scooted toward the flower that stood bravely in the darkest corner of her cell, the stone cracked around its stem. She lovingly traced the tip of each petal with her fingers, just as she had when she was at the ridge with Silas. She had so many questions that she longed to ask him. So many things she didn’t understand.

One thing plagued her mind the most. If Silas could make a flower bloom out of this dismal rock bottom, she knew he could also find a way to save her life a second time. She knew he could, but after all she had done, she didn’t know if he would.

“Psst, Tovi,” Ismene whispered. “Do you hear that? Here he comes. The visitor man!”

Tovi sat up straight. She couldn’t see him, but she could hear muffled voices from the far end of the corridor. Occasionally she heard soft footsteps as he moved down the line. She adjusted her angle so she could get a glimpse of him, but to no avail. She would have to wait until he was closer to get a good look.

Her heart was hammering. This old man would offer her freedom. Could he really get her out? Where would he take her? Could she trust him?

She still couldn’t see his face, but he had moved close enough that she could just barely make out his stature. He looked too upright and strong to be the elderly man that Ismene had described. “Are you sure, Ismene? Are you sure it’s him?”

“As sure as can be, Tovi. Can’t you see him through them bars?”

He had moved another cell closer and was crouched right beneath one of the few torches. Messy light brown hair with golden streaks. Smooth skin and soft tunic flecked with indigo, orange, and green paint. She put her hand to her mouth to stifle a loud whimper.

Hot tears flooded her cheeks during the agonizing wait while he inched closer. She watched through her bars as he spoke softly to each prisoner. She didn’t know why Ismene saw him as an old man, but she didn’t care. He was moving down the corridor, visiting each cell, side to side across the aisle. When he got to her neighboring cell, he sat right down on the floor and whispered, “Dion, I’m back, just like I promised. Are you ready to talk to me?”

Dion, the boy lying in his cell with no marks on his back, stopped moving and took a shuddering breath. Silas continued, “Are you ready to leave this place?”

The young man moaned in agony, but still there was no response.

“I was there, Dion. I know what happened. I will be here when you decide it is time to leave. And I will keep reminding you that we can do it. It will be hard, but we can do it. Together. You’re worth it to me.”

Tovi could hardly bear the sound of his voice. She longed to reach out to him, and at the same time she feared the look of anger and disappointment that was sure to be on his face when he found her there. What would he think of this mess she had become?

Silas stood and crossed the corridor to Xanthe’s cell. It seemed to Tovi that he purposely didn’t look her direction as he turned. He must hate her. He must be so disappointed . . .

The beautiful Master, with her lemon yellow hair in disarray, was standing at her door, her fingers through the bars. “You came back,” she said in disbelief.

“Just like I promised.”

“Even though I was so awful to you yesterday.”

“Nothing you do could keep me away. Do you think I’ll be able to persuade you to leave with me today?”

“No.”

“Why?” Silas asked, unfazed.

“You could be lying to me. You might even be working for His Majesty. If you were really Adwin, you wouldn’t want me in Adia. I’ve done terrible things.”

“That voice in your head is telling you lies. When you are ready to let me in, we will start answering all of those lies with the truth.”

Xanthe bit her lip.

“May I come in?” Silas asked.

Her eyes looked hopeful for just a moment before she closed them. She shook her head and walked to the far corner of her cell, lying down and curling into a ball. “I will be here, Xanthe. Every day for as long as it takes. You are worth it.” She didn’t respond.

Tovi’s heart pounded. She knew it was her turn, and she clutched at the bars to help her stand on her shaking legs. After all she had been through, this took every last ounce of effort.

She expected his anger. His hatred. His disapproval of everything she had done and everything she had become. Still, she longed for her turn to look into his eyes, to see him again. She wanted to go back in time, back to the ridge and their mornings together. She wanted to see all of it more clearly. She wanted to hear him say that she was worth it. But would he?

Silas finally turned his gaze on Tovi. The grin she knew so well appeared as he crossed the small expanse between cells. Her ugly, heart-rending sobs doubled in intensity, and she reached through the bars, needing him near. Instead of staying on the outside of the cell like he had for the other prisoners, he walked straight inside—through the solid barrier—and took her in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest. Instantly, the voice in her mind quieted and her bloodied hand mended.

“I have missed you, Tovi,” he said into her hair.

“Silas,” she wept, trying to catch her breath. Her fingers gripped the back of his shirt.

“Are you ready to go home?”

She nodded, unable to speak.

“I need to explain some things to you first,” he said, pulling away just enough so he could look at her. “This is going to be the hardest thing you have ever done. The pain you feel because you are in this prison is nothing compared to what will happen as you try to leave it. It is dark, ugly magic, the last project that Damien completed before I revoked his powers. It is one of the final weapons against you, but you must remember that none of it is real. Damien knows that it feels better in the dungeon than it does trying to make your way out, and he thinks that will keep people inside. Many times, it has worked.

“As long as you are with me, you will make it. Focus completely on me. If you feel like you are about to break, ask for help. Got it?” Tovi nodded before he continued. “Here’s what’s going to happen. We are going to run right out of here, through the hidden door. The guards at the top of the stairs won’t know, but we will be seen by others once we’re outside. They will come after us. There is no way around it. We will have to keep running as fast as you can. Once we are on the other side of the cloud and in the forest, it will be harder for them to find us. But while we are out in the open on these city streets, we will be vulnerable.

“If all does not go as planned, and believe me, it rarely does, you must listen to me very closely. I will give you instructions as you need them, and you must obey them immediately. Understand?”

“Yes,” she answered with a sniffle.

“All right.” He smiled. “Let’s go.”

He began to walk back through the bars, holding one of Tovi’s hands. “How am I supposed to get out?” she spluttered.

He surprised her by smiling. “Nothing about this prison is real. These bars only exist to those still imprisoned by them. The minute you decided to leave, they became nothing but a bad memory. Come on, you’ll see.”

Still unsure, she stepped her foot forward. The bars looked very solid and very real. Ismene was still staring. Xanthe watched from the corner of her cell.

Tovi took another step, not knowing what to expect. Then, just where the bars met the ground, she moved her foot forward. Looking up at Silas, she smiled.

Boldly she walked into the corridor, and searing pain coursed through her. Her back felt like it was lit on fire. She gasped and let go of Silas’ hand. As soon as their touch expired, the voice flooded back, more merciless than ever.

No one loves you! You are deceptive, spiteful, ruined! Run away from this man! Hide in your cell! You don’t have what it takes to leave here!

Silas caught her before she hit the ground, and the thoughts were silenced. The pain still raged.

Even more serious than before, Silas lifted Tovi’s chin with one finger. “I love you. You are honest, thoughtful, and good. No one has what it takes to leave by herself, but with me you’ll make it.”

She nodded, beginning to understand the perils of their mission.

Down the corridor and out the secret door, they ran as quickly as Tovi could manage. They made it out of the palace safely, but within moments they were seen. Tovi clung to Silas’ hand as they sprinted across the courtyard, the formidable royal guards emerging from the palace at top speed, their long swords sheathed but ready at their backs.

Tovi and Silas passed through arched tunnels and wound through the streets, pushing through crowds and passing the HH as Tovi was reaching the limit of her exhaustion. Every muscle ached and her head was buzzing from the combination of hunger and high adrenaline.

She despaired as she looked over her shoulder and saw the guards gaining ground. “I’m not strong enough, Silas!”

“They are following much closer than they ever have before. If I keep running with you, they will follow us all the way to Adia. Everyone will be in danger. You have to keep running. No matter how tired you are, no matter what the voice says, no matter what you see, keep running. You are strong enough, Tovi. Go straight to the mines. Hesper is waiting for you there. Then, when you get to the bottom, run for Adia. You know the paths. I’ve had you practicing this kind of forest running every day for six months.”

“No! Silas, don’t leave me! I can’t do it!”

“We won’t be separated for long,” he promised. “It’s time, Tovi. Run straight for the mines. You will make it. Be strong!” He stopped and turned toward the guards. She stumbled forward as the voice shrieked in her head, accompanied by the one calmer, stronger voice.

Run . . . Stop where you are! Not one step further! . . . Keep running as fast as you can. You know the paths . . . You will never make it! You are too weak! . . . You are strong enough . . . The guards will find you. They will catch you. Turn back now, and I will give you mercy . . . It’s time, Tovi. Run straight for the mines. You will make it! Be strong! . . . Turn around and see what happens to your beloved Silas . . .

The last, cruel words stopped her in her tracks. Full of fear, she turned back. For one split second she saw Silas standing and facing the oncoming guards. She tried to shout to him, to tell him to run, but she didn’t have time.

He flung his arms out just as they reached him, as if he was trying to gather them into an embrace. The tips of several blades emerged through his body at different angles, crimson stains spreading in blotchy patterns and soaking his tunic. He hit the cobblestones, arms still outstretched, and began to fade. Iridescent waves of light rose from the ground, starting at his body and stretching along and beyond his arms. Within seconds, these curtains of shimmering color extended so far that Tovi could not see the end. And then, to her horror, he had faded completely. He was gone. All that was left were the waves of light.

“Silas!” she wailed. “Silas!”

The guards turned their attention to Tovi and charged in her direction. When they reached the shimmering curtain, they rammed into it as if it was a solid wall. Piling up one behind the other, they could not push past it. They frantically ran along the waves, looking for a gap in the protection, but they found none.

Unable to ward it off any longer, Tovi succumbed to the blackness of shock, exhaustion, and pain.