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"No!" Colvin said fiercely "The Pry-rians! We were aht into theirEllowyn back to Pry-Ree, back to her true fae"

"Where is Edh they warned us not to follow, I told Edo I caine, I do not knoay through the Bearden Muir There are still rerounds, so I had to wait until dusk to approach unseen I knew you rounds around this time and hoped to encounter you as I did and persuade you to abandon the Alderripped her shoulders with both hands and ityou to help me Help me rescue my sister Help me save Ellowyn I swore an oath to protect her On uard her Please – I will do anything you ask if you help me fulfill my vow"

Lia stared at hiine at the depth of desperation that had driven him back to Muirwood to seek her help No doubt he remembered his coldness No doubt he rerove of apple trees where he had scorned her No doubt he remembered that he had not fulfilled his previous promises – to teach her to read or the dance with her He was a proud man Yet his deterhed the personal huers burned into her shoulders, as if he clutched her like a drowning man to a rope His expression was exhausted He had probably walked without sleeping Was he hungry? When was the last time he had some water? She looked at his face, his concern, his helpless expression

A feeling of tenderness and syh he had spurned her, she chose to help His earlier scorn still stung, and she could not bring herself to try and coiven She winced, not with the pain of his fingers stabbing her shoulders, but at the conflict boiling inside of her Helping hi near him, even if that closeness would make her heart ache

"Of course I will help you," she whispered, her throat catching on the last word

"No maston ever became wise by chance"

- Gideon Penman of Muirwood Abbey

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE:

The Chase

Lia knelt by the bedside and clasped the Alder, his face flushed Great drops of sweat dripped down his forehead The clenched jaw of his er and unbearable pain