“But he didn’t take you to his father, did he? Instead, he brought you here.”

“Yes, he did. I can only assume that my prayers were heard, and the Guard changed his mind for him,” I say.

“I’m not sure I’d give the Guard credit for that decision.”

I huff and roll my eyes. “Thanks be to the Lady, then.”

“How did you two manage to do it, though? Travel all this way without touching?”

“Easy. I hate him, and he hates me. Keeping our distance was the easiest part of the entire journey,” I say, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to my chest.

“That’s hard to imagine. I remember a time when the two of you longed to touch. I mean, I can’t blame you! Those heavenly blue eyes! That jawline!”

Her eyes shut as if she’s imagining them now. “I’ve heard stories, you know? Many servants frequent the taverns, and the women talk a great deal about the Baellilean Prince.” She leans in and smiles widely. “They say he can go again and again.”

“Teddy!” I fling the pillow straight at her head.

She catches and tosses it aside. “They also say that it isn’t necessary because he does the job right the first time.”

I scramble out of bed and make a gagging sound. “Enough! I’ve heard enough! Change the subject, or may the gods take me to the Great Lands now!”

She snickers and waves me back to the bed.

I hesitate, making sure she’s quite finished with tales of Braizen, and return to my comfortable spot.

Her smile disappears, and she grabs one of my hands. “Tell me what you saw in the Wood, Idalia.” Her voice is a near whisper.

My eyes race between hers, and slowly I release a deep breath. She’s not going to let it go.

“Fine,” I say reluctantly. “The first night I was taken, there was a mist, like a cloud of smoke. It raced out of the trees like a great wind was pushing it. It…It devoured a lot of people.”

“The Obsidian Mist,” Teddy murmurs. “I’ve read about it, though it’s only mentioned twice in all the books I’ve studied. Do you think it was sent by them?”

“Them?” I repeat, matching her stare.

“The Keepers of the Dark. The Others.”

We speak simultaneously.

“How do you know about The Keep—”

“What do you think they want?”

My chest heaves, and my eyelids flutter as I remember what Nuri told me.

“Do you think they want to know about The Pass?” Teddy’s voice is steady.

“What’s The Pass?” I ask and shudder.

Teddy taps her chin. “Why don’t we strike another deal? You tell me what you know, and I’ll tell you what I know.”

I think, then stick out my hand for a shake.

“Fair enough.”