“The air’s not natural through here,” I said, for lack of a better description. “It’s faint, like residual effects, but magic’s altered it recently.”

Dorian gave me a concerned look. “Do you think it’s a trap?”

“No,” I said, after a moment’s consideration. “Not nearly strong enough. If I had to guess ... it’s probably part of what he used to carry Jasmine off. Even if he’s stronger, she wouldn’t be easy to just slip out of there. Air can be used for binding, if you know the right tricks. You can almost create a kind of ‘air rope’ or—in extreme cases—cut off someone’s breathing enough to make them compliant. I really hope it hasn’t come to that.”

“Well, like I said, I don’t think he’d hurt her. I think she was just an easy choice, one he thought would hold you off.”

I nodded, knowing that he was right. Even at a brisk pace, it seemed unlikely we’d catch up with Pagiel anytime soon. He’d undoubtedly taken off as fast as he could to avoid pursuit. Our one stroke of luck came when we found Jasmine’s horse nibbling on some grass.

“Too difficult to bind her and force her on her own horse,” I guessed. “He must have just pulled her onto his.”

Dorian’s eyes were aglow the thrill of the hunt. “This will slow him. It’s our chance to catch up.”

We continued off at that same fast pace for a couple more hours, hoping we could take advantage of them riding double. The residual air magic grew stronger and stronger, giving me hope, until we finally emerged into a clearing and found Pagiel and Jasmine sitting on logs. He jumped up when he saw us.

“Don’t come closer,” he warned. “I ... I’ve got her.”

There was a tremulous note in his voice, backing up Dorian’s assertion that Pagiel would have trouble hurting her. Studying Jasmine, I saw that she sat nearly immobile, her arms held tightly at her side. I’d been right as well. She was bound with ropes of air. Meanwhile, the wind around him stirred.

“Pagiel, I told you before—you won’t win in a fight. Especially against the two of us,” I said. “Please let her go. I know you care about her and don’t want to hurt her.”

The earlier pain and confusion returned to Pagiel’s face. “You lied to me. You arranged the ambush.”

I shook my head. “If you’d stuck around, you would have seen that they were Maiwenn’s people. We got rid of them. Your riders put up a great fight. They’re really loyal to you and fought for your honor, even with you not there.”