They walked quietly up the narrow trail leading from the beach to the top of the cliff. She went ahead of him, setting the pace, while he cast occasional glances over his shoulder out of instinct rather than belief they were in danger. This was his land; there was no danger to him here.

Near the top of the cliff, the battle-witch paused and rested a hand against the rocky granite wall on one side of them, panting.

"I can't believe that," she said, twisting to look back the way they'd come. Several more prisons hung in the sky. "How are they suspended like that?"

"Magic," he replied, unconcerned. "They have been used by battle-witches serving Shadow Knights for two eras."

"Wait, those are your dungeons?"

"Aye."

"So the Red Knight put you in your own prison."

"Aye."

"Um, isn't that the biggest insult possible? To trap you in your own dungeon?" she asked, puzzled. "Why aren't you mad?"

"'Twas better than being placed in his dungeon," he pointed out.

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"I really don't get this world," she muttered.

He glanced at her, eyes sliding from her plump lips to the medallion. "Mayhap, if you ceased fighting your fate, 'twould not be so vexing," he advised with some impatience.

She shook her head.

"I never had the luxury of avoiding mine," he added. "My father, his father, all the way back to the curse, we have fought to win the kingdoms before all was lost."

"I understand why you're doing it." Her voice softened. "I can't imagine what it's like for you." Her gaze was torn, her blue eyes searching his features for he knew not what.

She was expressive, unlike the controlled emotions of his betrothed, a woman raised from birth to manage a court and rule alongside a powerful Knight.

"I fight. There has never been a choice, and I have never questioned my fate. You need to accept yours at my side."

She was watching him, expression growing more troubled. "It's not that easy to give up everything I've known."

"Nay, 'tis not," he agreed. "But I think, should we succeed in saving the kingdoms, you will find Black Moon Draw a good home."

She said nothing.

"You view it out of fear. If you saw it the way I did, as worth saving, you may find it looks differently."

There was a long pause. When she caught her breath, he nudged her to start walking, aware of how little time they had.

"You're right." She sighed finally. "I am afraid. I'm afraid I won't make it home. Afraid I will and end up miserable. Afraid this really is my fate."




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