And then an idea popped into my head. Noak had said I knew where to find Tohon in my heart. What if that worked for other information? Would Tohon know what Cellina’s been up to? Would he tell me? Only one way to find out. Ugh.
Unhappy with the prospect of encouraging Tohon in my dreams but unable to pass up the opportunity to learn more, I slid under my blanket. After that, I don’t remember even resting my head on the pillow.
“So now you believe me, my dear.” Tohon poured a cup of tea and handed it to me. “I’ve been telling you for months. But it appears the ice giant from the wildlands has more credibility than me.” He huffed as if affronted then settled across the table. Tohon peered at me over the rim of his steaming cup. His deep blue eyes held a predatory glint.
Glad for the table between us, I sipped my tea. The sunlight reflected off the squares of colored glass embedded in the table’s clear glass top. We sat in Tohon’s forever garden. Constructed on the roof of his castle in Sogra Realm, the rectangular glass room contained a variety of leafy trees, lush bushes, hanging vines, and even pools of water. The humid air held the thick scent of living green mixed with the sweet aroma of flowers. Minus Tohon, it was a perfect place.
I glanced at the beauty surrounding us. “Will all this die when it turns cold?” The first day of winter was four days away.
He raised an eyebrow. “Why would you think that?”
“Because you’re...”
“Trapped in a stasis?”
“Yes.”
“It’s different for me. I’m a life magician, so while my body is frozen, my mind and my magic remain active. Otherwise we wouldn’t be talking.” He gestured with his free hand. “These trees will continue to thrive as long as I live.”
I considered. “But don’t you need to be nearby?”
He smiled his killer smile, flashing white teeth. “I am, my dear. This is where Cellina has dumped me. I’m not complaining. It is my favorite spot.”
Yet he used the word dumped. Interesting. However, he gave me an excellent opening. “Do you talk to Cellina in her dreams, as well?”
“No. She lacks magical power, so I cannot connect to her.”
Ah. “How about Sepp? Do you communicate with him?”
Tohon drank his tea, but he kept his gaze on me. His brow furrowed as if the beverage was too bitter. “No.”
“Why—”
“Aren’t you full of questions tonight. Next you’ll be asking me about Cellina’s attack plans.”
“Since you mentioned it...”
He set the teacup down. It clanged on the saucer. “All I know about her plans, I’ve learned from you. And I’m guessing from your half-empty infirmary that she hasn’t engaged Ryne’s pathetic army in quite some time.”
“We think she’s setting a trap like you did with the dead soldiers.” I shuddered at the memory of the ring of buried soldiers that had surrounded Estrid’s army.
“Not without Ulany.”
Ah, yes, Ryne had killed her.
Tohon’s anger pulsed. “He shot her with a dart filled with the Death Lily toxin you sent him.”
Oh.
“At least she died right away and didn’t linger in agony like some do.”
“You mean like my sister.” My turn to snap.
“I didn’t want to hurt her, but you made me so mad that day.”
“So it’s my fault she died?”
He gazed at me with a quizzical squint. “Of course.”
While I agreed that I held some of the blame and felt guilty about her death, the fact that Tohon failed to see that his actions also played a part in her death just proved, once again, that he lacked basic human compassion and a conscience.
“I don’t regret my actions. Your dead soldiers had to be stopped,” I said. “What I do regret is missing your heart with my sword.”
“My sword. You used my sword.” Tohon growled.
I laughed. “Ouch.”
Tohon stood. I clutched my chair arms. He couldn’t hurt me in my own dream. Could he?
“If I were you,” Tohon said, “I’d be worried about what Cellina’s up to. We stayed up many late nights discussing strategy. She’s smart and devious. Who do you think came up with the idea to bury my dead soldiers?” Tohon smirked. “It’s not so funny now. Is it?”
I jerked awake. Disoriented, I stared at the ceiling. Torchlight flickered on stone. Had I slept all day? Hard to tell inside a cave. Private Jannes groaned in pain. Clambering to my feet, I checked on him. White blisters marked his skin and a few bled where he’d scratched at them. I dug into my pack and retrieved the gloves Belen had given me. Sadness gripped my heart for a moment, but another cry from Jannes spurred me into action. I slipped the gloves onto the private’s hands, then cleaned and coated the blisters with a salve.
When I finished, I glanced up and met Sergeant Phelix’s gaze. He had pushed up on his right elbow. Sweat stained his nightshirt.
“That’ll be me soon. Won’t it?” he asked.
I wanted to lie to him. “Yes.”
“Ah, hell.” He sank back down and hooked his arm over his eyes.
I stood there unable to speak. There were no words of comfort to offer. My healing powers were useless. Nothing would stop the inevitable. Instead, I held Phelix’s hand until he fell asleep.
After I cared for the others, I searched for Ryne. It appeared as if he hadn’t moved from the corner. Noak sat with him and I hesitated, unwilling to interrupt them. Scared of the ice giant? Who, me?