“What’s your plan?” Fionn asks the woman skeptically. “The iron arrow barely scratched me, so I have enough magic that I healed a bit before they locked us back up with iron. But my friend took a direct hit, and she’s unconscious. We need to be aerstepped out. She won’t be able to run.”

Hearing that Silene is gravely injured brings out Thorne’s rash side, and he jumps out of the shadows, wrapping Fionn in a tight embrace. I have no choice but to follow, and my eyes immediately stop on Silene’s too-pale body. She’s chained to the wall with iron shackles and slumps on the ground, the rise and fall of her chest barely visible. She’s not in good shape, and a gentle probe with my magic tells me there’s no chance I’ll be able to heal her here.

“Your-your mm-m-majesty,” Fionn and Silene’s would-be savior mumbles, eyes wide in terror at my sudden appearance. I hold up both of my hands in supplication, praying I can keep her from bolting in fear.

“We’re only here to save our friends. I heard your conversation with Fionn. If you truly wish to help, I’ll take your partnership gladly and will consider you a friend to the crown when this is over.” Hands trembling, she nods, then realizes she should bow, so she attempts a feeble curtsy. I think I see Fionn’s lips twitch.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m here to help,” she says, voice feeble.

“What’s your name?”

“Allyssia,” she responds.

“Then, Allyssia, do you have keys to the iron chains? We’ll need to get them out before I can aerstep us away.”

“I don’t have them, but I know where they are.” Fionn rolls his eyes and tries to say something, but I hold up my hand to stop him.

“Take us there. Fionn, we’ll be right back. See if you can at least get Silene to drink some of this water while we’re gone.” Reluctantly, I leave Silene behind as we follow Allyssia out of the cellar. At the top step, I grab her arm to stop her. “He can use light channeling to make us invisible,” I explain, nodding my head toward Thorne. “You should loop your arm through mine to stay close to us.”