Little felt better than moving inside Orinia, especially when she made those little gasping sounds that told Braph she was enjoying herself, too. Little felt better. Perhaps only flooding his system with Immortal power compared. Now, the combination of coital bliss with one’s true love and the rush of incredible power created something akin to the greatest sensation of all time. Only one thing might be better.

The glowing tree in the heart of Taither flickered in Braph’s mind’s eye. Imagining the power he could extract from that tree elicited a groan of deeper satisfaction from his lover. Orin stirred in his bed roll nearby. Braph bent down to cover Orinia’s mouth with his own. He cared little of being discovered by his son, but Orinia insisted she couldn’t truly let herself go if Orin might wake, and Braph liked it when she let herself go. He teased her with his tongue, drawing hers into his own mouth, toying with it, sucking. He caressed her neck, across her shoulder, and dimpled her thigh with his flesh hand, supporting himself on his metal one, and with a thought and a slight flex of the muscles in his right arm, drew in more power and generated a vibration through his body he’d never be capable of without magical enhancements.

Orinia gasped, her eyes flying wide open. In one smooth, deft move, Braph shifted his metal hand under her head to catch it before she hit the ground and covered her exhalation with his flesh hand. He shushed her through a grin and kissed her cheek. Shushed her again as they flexed together in their final tremors.

They lay on the Quaven bank of the Kulverdeen River, at approximately the same spot Braph had crossed the other direction with Llewella and Jonas more than a month earlier. While the last time the winter chill had seeped deep inside everyone and coated everything, this time the spring flourished in sync with Braph’s and Orinia’s rediscovery of each other. The last time, Braph had been powerless – though not to the extent his brother was now. This time he was more powerful than he had ever been and was on the way to becoming even more so. Last time, he’d had to make the swim through the icy cold waters. This time, he’d simply grasped a hold of his family, and they to him, and they’d flown across without dipping a toe in the water, powered by Orin’s blood pumping through Braph’s veins. A much more pleasant way to travel.

Braph eased his weight off Orinia, lay his head on her shoulder, cupped her breast, toyed with a nipple, then hooked his flesh hand around her other shoulder in a somewhat awkward but still comforting hug. ‘How do you wish to travel today, my love? We can walk, commandeer horses from a town on the way, or we could fly again, if you prefer.’

Orinia sighed, as if she hadn’t wanted to be pulled back to reality after Braph’s ministrations. This pleased him. ‘The journey is pleasant.’ She allowed herself a sly side-eye glance at him. ‘I would hate for it to be over too soon.’ She sighed again. ‘Although, I suppose being somewhere with a bath would be even better.’ She angled her head to look at him as squarely as possible with their faces so close. ‘Would any Quaven inn proprietors put us up for the night?’

‘If they wish to be paid handsomely, they certainly will.’ Braph settled in, savoring the closeness of his lover.

He managed to drift back to sleep in the chill morning before Orin finally awoke and they all rose to make their way deeper into Quaver. They didn’t carry bags of supplies, and Braph wasn’t about to eat bush meat. Luckily, between Orinia’s Syaenuk and Orin’s Immortal healing, and Braph’s generally awesome magic none of them needed to eat. Still the practice was generally pleasant, so Braph looked forward to partaking of a meal when they finally reached a suitable destination.

Quaver had towns much closer to the border as, in general, Aenuk destruction of the land was limited to the Turhmos side. Braph supposed Aenuks might be more easily overpowered and killed swiftly on the Quaven side, while on the Turhmos side they would find more support, and be that bit more likely to survive while injured, to drain the landscape around them. However it happened, he was pleased to reach a small town within half a day where he and his family could enjoy a midday meal hearty enough to make up for the missed breakfast.

Orinia’s pale skin earned her more than a few wary glances, while Braph bore enough of a resemblance to his brother to elicit double takes as well as clear awe and confused wonder. When he folded his metal hand over his flesh arm, the wonder might be blended with, or entirely obliterated by horror. Regardless, all that mattered was that they be well fed and watered, and Braph paid handsomely to ensure Orinia could bathe unmolested.

Once sated and cleansed, Braph allowed their trio to rest awhile in the restaurant-bar, and while Orinia played cards with Orin, Braph sat back and closed his eyes, once more reaching out across the lands with his mind. This time, though, rather than seek out his brother, he went straight to his workshop and woke half a dozen spider-like flying automatons and one by one he directed them into his ‘goop’ cabinet, had them inject their proboscis down the narrow air hole in a rubber stopper and fill their back-mounted globes with the coagulation. Then he called them to him. Of course, by the time they arrived, he would be gone.

There were plenty of other Kara for them to find in Quaver.

Llew’s wail woke Jonas like nothing had in the proceeding days. His body still weak, his mind suddenly alert. Elka, too, sat upright, listening. They locked gazes for a few moments, then Llew’s panicked ‘Let go of me!’ jolted Jonas again. If he’d been able, he would have been by her side in an instant.

‘Rowan!’ he bellowed, adrenaline providing a volume even his weakness couldn’t sap. He shuffled himself towards the rear of the carriage.

‘Here.’ Rowan appeared at the back flap, evidently relieved to have some direction.

‘Take me to her.’ Jonas reached an arm out to hook around Rowan’s neck.

‘Yes.’ Rowan hesitated before uttering the affirmative and reaching out to pull Jonas to him, slipping an arm under his knee.

Carried around the rear corner of the carriage, Jonas was unsurprised by the sight that greeted him. Gritting his teeth, he focused on Llew in the road dust. Rowan stooped to deposit Jonas beside her and stepped back.

‘Llew.’ Sitting beside her, Jonas placed a hand on Llew’s shoulder. Her body shook with the erratic rhythm of her sobs a few minutes more. The gaps between grew longer, and the violence eased. Finally, she breathed a couple of shaky sighs, shuffled herself so she could curl into his lap, like a large cat; her back to his belly, her legs curled tightly beside his thigh. She sniffed and rubbed at her wet face with a fist and lay, staring ahead, maybe looking at the farmhouse, maybe looking at nothing.

‘We killed them, Jonas,’ she whispered.

Jonas started to shake his head, but stopped when he felt no conviction behind his denial.

‘They did so much good, and we led death to their door.’

Jonas closed his eyes in acknowledgment. ‘You’ll carry on their legacy.’

Llew stilled, lifted her head a little, listening, so Jonas continued. ‘This is still a perfect place to bring Aenuks and teach ’em how to live in the world . . .

Llew pushed herself up to sit, swiveled her legs over Jonas’s lap, wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his shoulder. She brought a fist up, like she wanted to punch his shoulder, but instead she gently pressed it into him, then spread her fingers, gripping him.

‘I can’t do that without you,’ she said.

Jonas squeezed his arms around her. ‘I’m here,’ he said.

‘When I was alone,’ she said, ‘I never hurt anyone. Why’s it all gone so wrong?’

Fatigue crept through his muscles, but he wouldn’t let her go, nor did he know what to say to make this better.

Scuffed stones drew Jonas’s attention to Rowan beside him. The man looked awkward, and Jonas had no words for him, either.

‘You better get inside.’ A familiar voice drew Jonas’s gaze back towards the farm. Alvaro stood in the carriageway, sword held loosely at his side. Even more surprisingly, Anya Orell stood behind him, watching Llew. She spared Jonas a tiny wave.

‘This is a message. For you, I’d wager,’ Alvaro said. ‘Can’t imagine they’re not gonna come past again.’

Llew had frozen stiff at the utterance. She lifted her head and slowly turned to look at Alvaro. Then she almost hyperventilated on a gasp and went to get up but didn’t quite seem to know how to disentangle herself from Jonas. She made several utterances that may have been her friend’s name as she tried to work out what to do with her arms and legs. Jonas released her and Anya stepped forward to pull Llew into an embrace. Both girls clung to each other as if they planned to mold themselves into a single new being.

‘Oh, Anya. Everything’s gone wrong.’ Llew let herself sob into the blonde young woman’s shoulder. ‘I’m so happy to see you, but . . .’

‘I know.’ Anya patted Llew’s back, glanced up at the farmers, winced and looked down at Jonas again. This time she must have seen his shortened leg, as her eyes widened before she returned her attention to Llew. ‘But you’re here now.’

‘Come on.’ Alvaro stepped up to them and patted Llew on the back. ‘I mean it. They could come by any time.’

‘Al!’ Llew released Anya and turned to wrap Alvaro in a full-bodied embrace, almost toppling him.

Jonas clenched his teeth. She had every reason to be pleased to see the other man; even Jonas felt some relief at his reappearance. But Alvaro had never bothered to try and hide his interest in Llew, even when she’d made it clear she didn’t return it. Now, though, Alvaro was the better man. Might she change her mind?

Initially taken by surprise, Alvaro smiled as Llew lingered pressed to him, and brought his empty hand around to hug her back. Then he glanced down at Jonas’s legs and his smile hooked up in the subtlest of smirks. Subtle enough Jonas wasn’t sure if he were attributing what wasn’t there, though he had little doubt Alvaro would find some pleasure in his misfortune.

Alvaro unhooked Llew’s arm from his shoulder and stepped back. ‘We’ve got to get inside.’

Llew glanced up at the bodies. ‘We have to get them down. How long—?’

Alvaro shook his head. ‘Anya and I got here a couple of days ago, figured taking them down would be like putting a “come get us” sign out for the scouts.’

Llew nodded, resigned.

Alvaro put a hand to Llew’s back, gently pushing her in the direction of the farmhouse, and Anya slipped her arm around her shoulders. Llew wrapped her own arm around Anya’s back and the pair started up the carriageway.

Alvaro stood looking at Jonas for a few moments before sliding his sword into its scabbard and stepping in to take one of Jonas’s arms across his shoulders, sharing the load with Rowan. ‘I’ll move the carriage,’ Elka said, hobbling to the front of the vehicle.

‘There’s a corral and shed around the back—’ Alvaro started, looking over his shoulder at Elka, taking in her awkward gait. He unhooked Jonas’s arm. ‘I’ll help. The horses have to go in the back paddock, and you can probably move faster without me.’ He said the last to Rowan. ‘Get inside. Fast.’ He joined Elka at the front of the carriage and started directing her.

Rowan stepped in front of Jonas and held out one arm, readying a lift. ‘Sorry, there’s not much dignity in it . . .’

Rage and helplessness churned inside, and all Jonas could do was nod. He wasn’t used to moving on a single leg, yet, and they had to move swiftly. Rowan stooped, hefted Jonas onto his shoulder and started up the carriageway keeping to the side to let the carriage past, leaving Jonas to look at little more than his back, and some of the upside-down world. He twisted his neck just enough to catch a glimpse of the swinging corpses he hadn’t spared a moment for until now. People die around you, Jonas. It had been his curse, now Llew had it, too.

They had been the kindest couple he’d ever met. He’d meant it when he’d said the world would be a nicer place with more men like Ard in it. Now there was one less.

Of positive note were the Ajnai trees lining the carriageway. They now resembled what in any other tree species would be specimens of five or six years old. Not ancient by any stretch, but a substantial gain considering Llew had planted the seeds only a month prior.

The transition from bright spring day to shadowed farmhouse kitchen left Jonas blind for a few moments while Rowan slid him off his shoulder and eased him onto the bench seat by the dining table. Jonas swung his leg under the table, supporting himself with elbows on the tabletop.

Llew sat opposite. Or, rather, slumped. Her head rested on her folded arms on the table and she continued to sob. In light of her being parentless for so many years, only to kill her own father when she found him, and to have to abandon her mother in Duffirk for the time being, the farmers had meant the world to her. Jonas remembered the way her face had lit up the first time they planned to return to the farm, when the ancient Ajnai tree had been felled and they needed a safe place to hole up in the middle of Turhmos. This had been that beacon in the dark, because of them. Jonas felt their loss keenly, too, but kept somewhat detached from it, considering they were still in the heart of Turhmos; no place was safe for him and Llew now.

Anya sat beside Llew, an arm draped across her back, her head resting on Llew’s shoulder.

‘I’ll check how Elka and your friend are going with the carriage.’ Rowan touched Jonas on his shoulder, his look offering some sympathy blended with the awkwardness that comes with feeling out of place.

Jonas did his best to give him a grateful smile before he slipped out the door, then turned his attention back to Llew, reaching a hand across the table to rest it over hers.

Her sobs no longer shook her, but she didn’t raise her head. She could very well have fallen asleep. No doubt, this day had taken its toll on her.

Anya directed a small smile Jonas’s way, then her eyes dropped, like she could see through the table to his leg, or what remained of it. She lifted her gaze again, and he returned it.

‘What happened?’ she asked.

‘Aris happened.’

Anya nodded and gave the requisite sympathetic look.

Jonas shifted his gaze to the top of Llew’s head. ‘But Llew got me to a surgeon. Saved my life. Again.’ He squeezed her hand.

Llew pulled her hand from under his and placed it on top, squeezing him back. She didn’t raise her head, or otherwise engage with him or Anya.

Jonas felt something in him shift. He couldn’t name it, but the warmth he’d felt in his heart a moment before vanished and he found himself looking upon Llew in simple curiosity. Then he looked to Anya. He knew who Anya was, and yet, he found himself looking at her for several minutes as if he couldn’t quite place where he knew her from. Once recognition was assured, he looked around the room, as if looking for clues as to where they were.

‘Braph,’ he growled, and Llew sat up, alert and fearful. And Braph’s presence disappeared, but not before leaving a lingering sense of smug triumph. Jonas pushed it down.

‘He’s back?’ Llew asked.

‘He’s gone.’ Jonas gripped her hand in reassurance, but his jaw clenched on the implications. ‘But he knows where we are, and that Anya’s with us.’

Anya was looking about the room as if she thought Braph might leap from a dark corner or cupboard.

‘I don’t think he’s near,’ Jonas tried reassuring her. ‘But he’s working for Turhmos, now. He’ll tell them.’

He gave Llew a significant look. They weren’t safe here.

Llew’s fists clenched. ‘Damn Braph!’ she exclaimed. ‘He’s got what he wanted. Why can’t he leave us alone?’

Jonas could only shake his head over his own lack of insight. He should’ve known his half-brother better than anyone, but he had nothing.

‘He was—’ Anya swallowed. ‘—in your head?’ She looked like she wanted to be sick.

The door opened and the others sidled in. Elka eased her medical satchel to the floor while Rowan placed a sack of bread and fruit in the middle of the table and then they didn’t seem to know what to do with themselves, and remained by the door

‘Oh, thank goodness,’ said Anya. ‘I’m starving.’ She reached into the sack, tore off a chunk of bread and handed it to Llew, then repeated for Jonas and everyone else.

‘There’s not much, but it should plug a gap,’ Rowan said.

Alvaro eased himself around the table and stood by the coal coal range looking down on the three at the table as he chewed bread.

‘Braph knows where we are and is probably telling Turhmos right now,’ Llew said, almost achieving nonchalance, her fury simmering beneath the surface.

Anya shuddered as she locked her gaze on Jonas. Likely, she was remembering that time on the boat to Phyos when Braph had used her to attack Emylia. ‘That doesn’t make sense,’ she said. ‘Doesn’t he want to kill you himself?’

Jonas almost laughed but remembered neither Anya nor Alvaro knew their full situation.

‘He said there was no challenge in it, now that—’ He flicked his gaze between Anya and Alvaro, and withdrew his hand from Llew, sitting back. ‘Now that I’m powerless.’ He looked down, unable to bear how they would look on him now.

‘We saw the headlines,’ Anya said. ‘How?’

‘Braph.’ Llew’s sneer resounded through the word. ‘It’s always Braph.’

Alvaro grunted his agreement.

Anya’s pity settled in at full measure as she looked at Jonas and he had to look away.

‘If they have any reason to believe you’re here, they’ll tear this place apart,’ Alvaro said. ‘They know about the bunker. We can’t hide, not this many. And not with—’ His voice trailed off, but Jonas heard all that remained unspoken. Not with him. Weak and broken, he was nothing but a burden.

‘Then we have to prepare ourselves to fight.’ Llew stood and sidled out from the table, looking around at each of her companions. ‘Jonas and I can’t run. Nowhere’s safe for us.’ All the pain of losing Merrid and Ard, and her anger at Braph’s violation of their sanctuary, settled into cool resolve. Jonas was right. Their legacy would live on. Ajnais would grow. Aenuks would be freed. But only if Llew fought for her own life.

‘We need you. All of you.’ She made a point to look at Alvaro. ‘But I can’t ask any of you to give your lives for something you don’t believe in. If you go now, you will be free to do so. Turhmos have no reason to hurt any of you.’

Rowan, Elka, and Alvaro stood impassive, unmoved by Llew’s words. Anya opened her mouth but, surrounded by silence, she retreated.

‘We’re here for the Ajnais, to get Jonas’s strength back as best we can and get him used to a prosthetic. Then we’ll carry on to Quaver, where I believe I can heal Jonas for good. On the way, I’ll plant as many Ajnai as I can, and when we return, I’ll be freeing Aenuks, as Merrid and Ard did.’

‘Brilliant. We’re in.’ Rowan looked to his sister for confirmation and Elka nodded. ‘Anything you need.’

‘We need your engineering brilliance and Elka’s medical knowledge. We need Alvaro’s sword, if you’ll lend it. And Anya . . .’

‘You need a friend. Someone who will root for you every step of the way; make sure you’ve eaten and can focus on what’s important,’ Anya said. ‘I’m here for you.’

All at once, Llew was overwhelmed by the love in the room and the sense of dread. Alone, she’d needed no one, and no one had died for her cause, but ever since she’d made friends, they had been dying for her. How many more could she lose?

Her gaze rested on Jonas slumped across the table. One step at a time. First: Save Jonas.

‘I need to speak with you,’ Alvaro said. ‘Outside.’ He opened the door and stepped through.

Llew doubted he had anything to say that couldn’t be said in front of the others. She followed him out.

Alvaro stood in the shade of an Ajnai, away from the house.

‘Thank you for being here,’ Llew said as she approached him. ‘Please don’t think I don’t appreciate it. You don’t owe me anything. If either of us owes the other, it’d be me owing you.’ She stood before him.

‘Cassidy wasn’t a favor.’

‘I know—’

‘Llew.’ Alvaro placed a hand on her shoulder. ‘Let’s not fight. We need a united front. You’re not safe in Turhmos. We need to get you out. Keeping Jonas around will only slow you down.’

‘What—?’

‘You should focus on your tree planting. I can protect you.’

‘Not against Braph.’

‘I can come up with a plan for Braph. I’m not stupid. You’re not safe in Turhmos. Come on, let’s just go.’

‘I’ve got a plan, I—.’

‘You said you believe you can heal Jonas for good. What if you can’t? What if you waste all this time, put your life and the lives of everyone who’s here for you at risk for nothing?’ Alvaro stepped closer. ‘Even after everything, I will protect you with my life. Doesn’t that count for something? What you think you have with him was never real. He was all high and mighty, and now he’s broken. You needed him, now he needs you. That’s not real. I’m real. And I love you.’

‘Stop.’ Llew raised a hand. ‘Just stop.’

Her eye was drawn to movement by the road. Her initial prepare-to-fight response subsided at the sight of a single figure at the well. She narrowed her eyes as the figure took a deep drink from the small bucket then took a moment to rest, leaning on the stone edge as they observed their surroundings. Despite the androgynous prisoner garb just like what Llew had been wearing when she escaped Duffirk, that crown of dark, curly hair was unmistakable.

‘Who is that?’ Alvaro asked.

Llew’s stomach dropped as the dark skin tone added to all the other evidence to consolidate into Karlani.