From Darkness Won - Jill Williamson [69]
A cham raged in Achan’s chest. That any man would treat a woman so. She should not have been put in a cell like a man. Though knowing Sparrow, she had likely demanded it. He hated being here without his body. He wanted to lift her in his arms and carry her from this place.
His mind raced through the things Sparrow would say if she happened upon an unconscious person. Had anyone thought to try smelling salts? She had likely only fainted. Probably saw one of the huge rats in her cell.
He reached for her mind, elated to find no shields blocking his way. Sparrow? Wake up. It’s me, Achan.
No answer came, nor could Achan sense her sleeping mind. His heart rate doubled. Sparrow! Her chest rose and fell steadily. So why couldn’t he sense her?
Duchess! I have found her. She breathes, though it’s as if she isn’t there. What could that mean?
Duchess Amal’s voice whispered in his mind. That she has been stormed.
Achan glanced around the cell, looking for Sparrow’s transparent mind. I will find her. She cannot be far.
Footsteps shuffled down the corridor outside the cell.
“What took you so long?” Lord Levy said.
Two men pushed their way inside and lowered a litter beside Sparrow.
“Hurry up, now,” Lord Levy said. “Put her in the eastern chamber on the sixth floor. And stand guard at her door until I tell you otherwise. Let no one inside.”
“Not even the healer?” one of the soldiers asked.
“He said no one!” Reggio yelled. “Are you deaf or just daft?”
“No, my lord.”
The men lifted Sparrow’s limp body onto the litter. Achan wanted to push them all away. He didn’t want anyone to touch her. The men carried Sparrow from the cell. Achan drifted along after them. He needed to see the room they were taking her to.
Duchess Amal’s voice came again. Your Highness, do you see her?
They are taking her body. I want to see where they go so I can bring her back to her body.
Very well. As soon as you see, return to yours.
Achan followed the men up the tower stairs. If only he could knock their heads together for the careless way they carried the litter. Sparrow nearly slid off the litter twice and her skirt had ridden up to her knees.
They exited on the sixth floor and into a spacious chamber. Fat arrow loops looked out over the delta where the Sideros River met the sea. The guards set the litter on a bed tented in a thick sheet of burlap. They left Sparrow there and went outside, closing the door behind them.
Achan scowled at the door. The brutes hadn’t removed the cover from the bed or lifted Sparrow off the litter. Achan hovered over her, staring at her face. How badly he wanted to touch her cheek. Her ivory skin, usually lustrous, was milky, almost greenish. He worried that her blood had stopped flowing. Her chest still rose and fell. There must be something more he could do. She looked so stiff and awkward, one hand caught under her back.
Your Highness? Have you arrived? the duchess asked.
I have, my lady. They threw her on a dusty bed. She looks so uncomfortable. Her dress is twisted around her legs. You’re sure there is no way I can move her?
Not without your body, no. Come away, Your Highness.
But Lord Levy is going to come. I should stay and hear what he has to say. Maybe I will learn something—
No. You must come back now.
Achan tensed. He didn’t want to leave Sparrow alone with these people who intended to harm her.
Please, Your Highness. We must hurry if we are to bring her mind back from the Veil.
Of course. Sparrow still needed him, but not here. She was out there, drifting, alone. Frightened.
He opened his eyes to find the duchess staring down at him. He took a deep breath. “Do you think she knows about the Veil? About what can happen there?”
Duchess Amal shook her head slightly. “I know not.”
“Macoun Hadar might have taught her.”
She pursed her lips. “Perhaps. It matters not to fret over it. We must go and look for her.”
Achan wanted to pace, but he needed to enter the Veil and look for Sparrow. “How will I know where to look?”
“Message her.”