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"Yeah," I said, glad not to be faced with any weightier decision than that "That’s good"

He moved to the balcony "I will be here when you are ready"

I waited for hi, anticipating pain and surprised when it didn’t coh reasy Someone had cleaned the blood off me while I slept, but I still felt yucky Yet I also didn’t want to bathe here I didn’t want to spend any more time here than necessary And I trusted Helori, an Elder, more than I trusted Mzatal

I slipped the shoes on and stepped out to the balcony "I guess I’rove" He took h Mzatal’s chambers and out I folloithout question or resistance as he led rove, his hand firm and comfortable on mine, our entire journey rereeted the rove, then pulled ht squeeze "Where would you like to go?"

Soht Someplace calm and beautiful and far away froave a sain, nodded to the one

Chapter 21

Helori led rove at our destination and onto the narrow trail, through oversized plants with leaves twicesound of surging surf came from ahead, punctuated by sharp cries and squawks from a variety of unseen creatures

"Perhaps here will suit," he said as we stepped out into the open

I breathed in the warht breeze ruffle entle surf of brilliant sea, waves of turquoise and rich blue catching the afternoon sun The beach stretched left and right as far as I could see, bounded by rich greens and purples of giant trees and plants

"You swiood for swiood"

The water was beautiful, but I still hesitated I didn’t want to take ils "That’s okay," I said "I…I’ll just sit on the beach awhile"

Helori kept the loose hold on ret it The seas here can be very soothing"

I didn’t want to e with hiue "Sure" I could leave my shirt on That would work

Helori knelt and slipped ain with the other as he led e of the surf The water whooshed and swirled around my ankles in random, yet hypnotic movement I didn’t pull away froet, at least briefly, how broken I was

He gradually leda comfortable hold on my hand I didn’t fear the water or the depths I was actually a really good swimmer, and didn’t need his hand for physical support, but I knew that wasn’t why heout to the horizon, I tried to hold onto this sense of peace I knew too da do I have here?" I asked "When did Mzatal say you have to bring me back?"

"He did not specify," Helori replied "It will fall to us to decide"

My brow furrowed "Us? What are you talking about?"

The syraza chimed softly "Us You and led to process this, but I couldn’t think straight enough for it to make sense "Why would Mzatal let me have any say in when I returned?"

"You have all of the say," Helori told uidance for as much as you will accept You are not his prisoner"

I stared at hiht Is that what he told you?"

"Mzatal did not need to tell me," Helori said as he led me a little deeper "I know this You are not a prisoner, and I auard He would have you ith him, but he will not force it"

I stopped and turned to face hiain?" Because there was a part ofexactly that I’d had more than my fill of arcane shit

His amethyst eyes were deep upon h it is not a choice you must make now in this moment Should you choose to shun the arcane, you would still not be a prisoner"

The syraza was completely serious, I realized I shook"Then why…" I trailed off, struggled to getto kill me"