He chuckled. “Lumestra is in no position to gainsay the stake. When the fires catch, you’ll go to the Evermoon.” He gestured at the moon, ghostly pale against the brilliant blue sky. “An eternity of repose beneath starlight, surrounded by the spirits of your ancestral enemies. I hope you enjoy poetry and contemplation, otherwise you’ll be terribly bored. And I promise that the light of Third Dawn will never find you. Not in Ashana’s halls. Better to bind yourself to one who appreciates your talents, eh?”

Weary beyond words, Rosa slumped against the mooring spikes. Why not indeed? Perhaps it was better to embrace the Raven than face eternity in Ashana’s service, like some shadowthorn drab who’d never known battle. If she was to be denied the glories of Third Dawn, did damnation’s form truly matter?

She met the Raven’s inky gaze.

The rope frayed and split. Sevaka fell forward against Horden’s arm. As she strove for balance, his dagger slit the last of the ropes. A hot, prickling rush swept through extremities too long denied. It felt good.

“Here.”

Horden thrust a canteen into her twitching hand. The contents spilled across parched lips. She spat a mouthful away, and gulped for more.

“Can you stand?”

“I can stand.” Hearing the tremor in her own voice, Sevaka clung tight to her pain, let it blossom to anger and hot-edged truth. “I can fight. But Rosa. We have to free Rosa.”

“Look at her! Even if we could get her loose, she’s away with the feylings!”

Sevaka snatched away his dagger and shoved him aside. Timber rocked under her feet as she stumbled towards the second gibbet. “Rosa! Rosa! Can you hear me?”

“Rosa! Rosa! Can you hear me? I’ll get you free. Just stay with me.”

Sevaka’s urgent cry flared like lightning through the murk of despair. Acceptance of the Raven’s offer faded into a croaking sigh.

Rosa stared at her through blurring vision. The world seemed distant, smeared beneath grease and molten tallow. Even the light seemed strange, tinged with greenish-white.

“Ignore her.” The Raven looked Sevaka up and down and tutted fussily. “She doesn’t understand. How could she? You’ve betrayed your friends, your comrades – even the memory of the man you loved. Can you really make that right? Why would you even want to make amends? We both know you haven’t the strength.”

He stared at her, head cocked. Somehow the question in his tone was not quite the same as the one he’d given voice.

Sevaka’s dagger parted the ropes about Rosa’s wrists. Her hands fell free.

The Raven extended a gloved hand. “You don’t belong here any longer. It’s time to leave.”

“Yes,” said Rosa. With the decision came peace. “It is.”