“He must be carrying something incredibly important,” I finish for him.

“What’s more, he’ll have food! And alcohol! We’re saved!” Torr cheers. He picks up Lin and swings him around.

Lin pushes against him and turns his face away. “I still say it’s easier to eat the horses,” he grumbles.

At that, Torrent stills. He then heaves a frustrated breath and tosses Lin into the pond.

“You idiot!” Lin screams as he flails in the water. “We’re in the Florian Wood, you empty-headed barbarian! Who knows what lurks in here? Twenty-foot snakes, a squid with blades for tentacles! Leviathans!”

“Let’s all pray at least one of those swims in there! If not, I’ll jump in and finish you off myself,” Torr jests, brushing his hands together in satisfaction.

“I’m going to grab Lorna; you two try not to kill each other,” I announce. Neither hears me. Lin is too busy shouting curses, and Torr is too busy laughing at them.

As I swing around a tree, I stop short. A voice. No, a siren’s call comes from my left. It sounds like angelic harp strings plucked by the Lady herself. I duck under a limb and nimbly sneak from tree to tree until I’m close enough to see her. I stay hidden, press firmly against the bark, and peer around the trunk.

Idalia runs her fingers through the ends of her long hair; her legs are crossed over to the side as she sings. I have heard the song, though I am not familiar with the words. It’s a hymn chanted to bless the dead.

Her voice flows like a soft current of honey. Sweet, smooth, and soothing all ailments. I can barely stand it. Why should the holies bless her, a Verdanian, with such an instrument? A Verdanian. The traitors of both the Lady and the Guard.

Her voice trails upwards, hitting octaves that not even our finest choirs could match. It would be a lie to say I’m not awed by the sound. It would be an even greater lie to say it doesn’t also bring me an elusive peace. She turns her head slightly, revealing her profile. Such a delicate face, such creamy, unblemished skin. Her hair drapes around her high cheekbones. She was Lady kissed; that much is undeniable. Her beauty knows no bounds and her voice…

Gods damn that voice. Gods damn that face, and gods damn that woman. I shake myself from her spell and turn to leave. My foot snaps the first twig it lands on.

She whips her head around and immediately spots me. Her doe-like eyes, soft and enchanting only seconds before, instantly harden. She grabs her skirts into her fists and stands.

“Spying on me now, are we?” That entrancing voice is gone. In its place is her insufferable, insolent tone. She lifts one brow and waits for my answer.

I manage a chuckle and mirror her stance. “Oh, don’t humor yourself, Sparrow. Spying would require having something worthy to watch. I was looking for Lorna, who wasn’t supposed to let you out of her sight. Where is she?”