Promising Hope (17 page)

As soon as he pulled away, Amina grabbed her. She
started crying into Sierra’s embrace. She seemed so bony compared
to her usual plump figure.

Sierra rubbed her back in return. “I’m so sorry I
left you behind.”

“I’m sorry for ratting out Grace and Dar,” Vin said,
rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.

“It’s not your fault. It’s not easy to fight Mahri
truth potions,” Sierra said.

Amina pulled away. “How did you escape?”

“Let’s sit down.” Vin motioned towards a couch and
two armchairs by the window, which was taller than him. It showed a
spectacular view of the ocean.

Sierra sat and told Vin and Amina everything that had
happened since she had shown up at their cottage with Dar and
Grace. She told them about her escape with Matilda, their reunion
with Evan, their trip to Rahuda. She wouldn’t have gone into much
detail, but Vin and Amina kept asking questions. Someone brought
them lunch, and she spoke while they were eating about their trip
to Kleisade in search of Borens who knew something about tigers in
Nyad and the arrival of the prince while they were there. Then
their mad dash across Haltar to Mumbar Jungle, where they’d come
into contact with the Protectors one last time. Telling it all made
her realize just how much they’d been through.

When she told them about the ancient texts and the
broken curse, Amina started crying, and she buried her face into
Vin’s shoulder. “Grace and Dar told us,” Vin said, “but I guess we
were too afraid to hope that it was actually true.”

“Grace told you?” Sierra asked.

“Yes, when she first arrived at the palace,” Amina
said through sniffles. “She was acting so strange, though. She kept
saying she was done with the Avialies. I only talked to her that
one time because the prince said I couldn’t wait on her.”

Sierra bit her lip. Though hesitant, she told them
about Grace’s plan with the love potion. Amina thought it was
brave, and they both vowed to help Sierra get Grace back.

They told her about their weeks at the palace, though
they weren’t very eventful. A lot of work. Some beatings at first,
but mostly work. Amina said they were never together, and Sierra
could tell from how close they sat, how Vin had his arm around her
the entire time.

“I’m so glad we came to get you.” Sierra swallowed.
“We all wanted to go back for you…”

“We know,” Vin said with a nod. “We figured it was
too much of a risk.”

Sierra frowned. “I’m sorry.”

“We’re here now,” Amina said, grabbing Sierra’s hand.
“Because of you. They told us it was your idea.”

Sierra nodded. “I wanted to get Dar and Grace, too,
but…” She shrugged. “Later.”

Amina hid a yawn behind her hand and blinked away
tears. “Yes, we’ll get them soon, Sierra.”

“You should get some sleep.” Sierra stood. “I’m sure
you couldn’t have enough sleep right now, hm?”

Vin smiled. “This mattress is like nothing I’ve ever
slept on.”

“It’s like sleeping on air,” Amina said, her eyes
wide. “Although, that could be because I’ve been sleeping on the
ground for weeks.”

They laughed, but it also made Sierra sad to think of
them in those conditions for weeks, far from each other. She shook
away the sadness as she said goodbye. They were here now. And Grace
and Dar would be soon, too.

* * *

Sierra found Evan in a room with a few other men. He
dueled Adrian in the middle, and the others watched as they stood
by the wall. Sierra closed the door and leaned against the wall
next to a Jolenian Avialie named Edrin.

Evan and Adrian’s swords clashed in the air as they
moved back and forth. Sweat shone on Evan’s forehead, and his arms
moved with agility. He wasn’t the thin, broken man Dar had rescued
a month ago. Muscle had reformed on his limbs, his hair was trimmed
to his ears, and his face had a healthy pallor to it. Just the
sight of him made Sierra’s heart swell.

He disarmed Adrian, whose sword went clattering to
the floor. A satisfied smirk came onto Evan’s face, and Adrian
glared at him as he bent down and picked up his sword. “Well done,”
Adrian said.

“You almost had me.” Evan winked at him. He saw
Sierra in the doorway and grinned. “Do you want to duel, Lady
Sierra?”

Sierra laughed. “I don’t think anyone’s ever called
me a lady before.”

“Come on, we’re busy,” Adrian said, wiping sweat off
his forehead.

“She’s good,” Evan said. “Seth and Dar taught
her.”

Adrian rolled his eyes. “That’s wonderful. Edrin,
let’s go.” He motioned to Edrin, who picked up his sword and walked
to Evan. He was their age and much skinnier.

Adrian sat where Edrin had just stood, taking an
offered water skin from another man.

Sierra sat next to him. “Are you thinking of letting
Edrin take Caleb’s place?”

“And these men, too.” Adrian motioned to the men
standing on his other side. “We’re having a few tests.”

“Why were you and Evan fighting, then?” she
asked.

He smirked. “He wanted to show off.”

She smiled. “Sounds like him.”

She watched the men fight a few duels. Just a week
and a half ago, Caleb had taught her, Matilda, and Angela a few
tricks in here. It was horrible to think he was gone forever. He’d
been an arrogant fellow, but spirited. More honorable than Adrian,
in her opinion. She couldn’t believe he’d tried to rape Grace.

All three men fought and lost against Evan. “Come on,
Sierra!” he exclaimed, motioning for her to stand up. “Show them
how good you are.”

She grinned, unsure what to think of his good mood.
No, she liked it quite a lot. Especially when he was so close to
leaving. She stood up. “Are you sure you want to lose against a
woman?”

The men whistled and cheered as Sierra tested out the
swords in the room. She found one of a good weight and stood across
Evan. His eyes gleaming mischievously, he bent his knees and raised
his sword. She had no doubt he’d win again, but she was sure she
could hold her ground for a few minutes.

She attacked first, and they dueled back and forth.
He was quick. She couldn’t believe how far he’d come in the last
couple weeks. He was relentless, fearless, tireless. She made a few
clumsy moves and he could have disarmed her at least three times,
but he let it slide. Perhaps to make her look good.

The door opened, and Sierra looked up for a moment to
see who it was. When she saw Natalia’s face, she froze, and Evan
finally disarmed her. He let out a bark of laughter, then two more
people came in after Natalia: Alastor and Lina.

Lina gaped at her son, her hands going to her mouth.
Evan turned to look at the newcomers, and his grin faded. He
dropped his sword and ran to his mother. Lina threw his arms around
him, sobbing as he picked her up and spun her around.

Sierra smiled tightly, already uneasy by the presence
of Dar’s parents. Natalia slowly walked towards her with a soft
smile. Her long black hair was pulled into two braids, each over
her shoulders. She hadn’t aged a day since two years ago: she still
looked untouched by time, like a woman from a fairy tale. Sierra
had admired her beauty and calm spirit growing up.

“Sierra,” she said quietly. “It’s so good to see
you.” She hugged Sierra, who wasn’t sure how to respond. She numbly
patted her back.

Natalia and Alastor had been like her parents growing
up. She’d only been four when they took her in, and she’d defended
them for years against the Protectors. She’d left them behind after
Evan’s death, though, angry they hadn’t stopped her from trying to
fulfill the prophecy. Angry they hadn’t protected her.

Natalia pulled away, and Alastor smiled at Sierra. He
looked older, bags under his eyes, a swoop in his back, but he was
still the strong, solid man that she’d considered her father. She’d
felt especially betrayed by him. He’d nearly disowned her when she
married Evan because he was an Avialie, but he actually encouraged
her to try to get pregnant based on Lisbeth’s half-false vision. He
patted her shoulder. “I can’t believe it.”

Sierra swallowed and looked at both of them. “When
did you get here?”

“Just now,” Natalia said. “We tried to come to the
palace when we heard Evan was alive, but they said we couldn’t come
into Renaul so soon after Lady Grace’s kidnapping.”

Lina and Evan had finally stopped gushing over one
another, and Lina pulled Sierra in for a hug. Sierra hugged her
mother-in-law back, breathing in her familiar scent. Lina was a
tall woman with a strong face and her son’s almond-shaped eyes. She
put her arm around Evan’s waist after she pulled away from Sierra.
“I can’t believe you’re alive. I wanted to come to the palace so
bad, but Tisha and Kilar didn’t let us.”

“I know,” Evan said, rubbing her shoulder. He looked
at Adrian. “Can we meet again in a couple hours?”

“Of course.” Adrian nodded to the other men. “We’ll
keep dueling in here, if you don’t mind.”

“No, of course not.” Evan looked at his mother. “Are
you hungry? How long have you been traveling?”

They walked out of the room as Lina told them about
their travels. It was a three day’s trip from Rahuda, and they’d
heard about the rescue attempt at the palace their first night.
“I’m not sure if they’ll be happy we’re here,” Alastor said as Evan
led them to the kitchens.

“Maybe they won’t find out,” Sierra said.

“Maybe, but I have a feeling they’re keeping tabs on
all the Avialies now… even more so than before.” Alastor rubbed his
chin. “Hopefully we’ll actually get back home.”

Sierra’s stomach twisted as she thought of them
staying here.

“Oh, don’t say things like that,” Natalia said.

“I told you what they said when I went to the
palace,” Alastor said.

“Why did you go to the palace?” Evan asked. “And
when?”

“I went about a week ago when I heard they had Dar.”
His huge hands clenched into fists. “And I didn’t ask for
permission. I just showed up.”

That was surprising. Alastor had usually done what
Tisha and Kilar wanted, just short of helping them. It had made
Sierra angry a few times how it seemed like he played right into
their wishes.

“I wish we’d done that when you were there,” Lina
told Evan, “but I didn’t want them to do anything else to you. Oh,
Evan, I can’t believe you’re alive!”

Sierra smiled. “Me, neither.”

“But what did they say to you?” Evan asked
Alastor.

“Tisha said it wouldn’t be long before they expelled
all the Avialies out of Haltar,” Alastor said. “I told him Shyra
has never been a source of problems, but of course he talked about
you two and Dar and the prophecy.” He shook his head. “Anyways,
after that meeting you had with them…”

“How did you hear about that?” Sierra asked.

“Jeshro mentioned it as he helped us in,” he replied.
“You’ll have to tell us more about it.”

Sierra nodded, but said nothing for the moment. They
reached the kitchens, and she and Evan arranged a meal for the
others. Lina tried to say she could help, but Evan ushered her into
the dining room with Natalia and Alastor, then joined Sierra in the
kitchen.

“It’s so good to see her,” Evan said as he sorted
through the pots and pans.

Sierra smiled. “I know.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment. “Have you seen
Natalia and Alastor since the battle?”

She shook her head. “No, not since we left Belisha.
It’s odd seeing them again. I’m still angry, but… so much time has
passed.”

Oma walked into the kitchen and put her hands on her
hips. “What’s going on in here?”

“We’re cooking a meal for some people who arrived
from Shyra,” Sierra said.

“Oh, nonsense! We’re just about to cook dinner. Go,
go, it will be ready soon!”

“Can’t we help?” Sierra asked.

“We have a crew of men and women assigned to the
kitchen, and not just anyone is allowed.” Oma snatched the pot out
of Evan’s hand. “Out!”

Evan and Sierra walked into the dining room, grinning
at each other. They were soon joined by others in the castle, and
the kitchen became a bustling hub where Di, Oma, and others came in
and out. Lina, Alastor, and Natalia wanted to know all that had
happened to them. The stories spreading over Haltar were wild, but
everyone knew one thing: the elders claimed the curse was
broken.

“Is it really true?” Natalia asked, clasping Sierra’s
hand. Her eyes shone with tears.

Sierra nodded. “It is.”

“But how do you know?” Lina asked.

Sierra explained the ancient texts, the scrolls about
the marked women, and the magic she felt with Grace. Natalia and
Lina started crying, and Alastor stared at her like he’d never seen
her before. She wasn’t sure she could get used to this
adoration.

“Sierra.” Alastor’s voice was gruff. “I’m sorry. I’ve
wanted to tell you for two years. We never should have let Lisbeth
talk us into that prophecy. Talk you into it. You and Sashe were
the ones who took the risk, who lost the children…” He put his fist
to his mouth and paused for a moment. Then he took her hand and
looked into her eyes. “I’d do anything to go back and change
it.”

She gave him a small smile. “Thank you,” she
whispered.

Natalia rubbed Sierra’s back, a soothing motion that
used to put Sierra to sleep when she was a little girl. “We’re both
sorry. If we hadn’t been so hasty… maybe we’d have Seth and Sashe
here with us.”

Sierra shrugged. “Maybe. There’s no way to tell.”

Alastor let go of her hand. “I’m very proud of
you.”

She looked at him in surprise, her eyes wide.

“You saved this family, Sierra,” he said.

Her gaze dropped to her lap. “It wasn’t just me,” she
said quietly. “Grace, too.”

“Of course.” He clapped Evan on the back. “And I know
Evan and Dar helped.”

“And Matilda and Chad and Lee,” Sierra added.