Starside novel · Chapter 21 of 24

Chapter 21: Dain Unbound

Dain's POV

I hung from her fist with my boots clear of the stone and watched Sorrel decide.

I could see it going across her face.

She looked at the water, and at the goddess, and at me.

I knew exactly what I was afraid of, and it wasn't the Pool.

I was afraid she would get angry enough to throw everything she had, all at once, at the woman who had taken her family.

It would kill Maelis, and it would kill her too.

I had seen that choice in her face since the orchard, and I'd said nothing, because I had no right.

"Put him down," Sorrel said.

"Step into the water."

"Put him down and I'll come to you."

"Sorrel," I said. It came out a rasp. "No."

She didn't look at me.

"I'm walking," she said to Maelis. "I'm walking over there to the edge.

"Put him down on the stone where I can reach him, and I'll do whatever you want."

Maelis smiled, bright and satisfied.

She opened her fingers.

I hit the stone on my hands and knees, and the air went out of me.

Sorrel crossed the rock in six quick steps and dropped to her knees at my side.

Her hand came down flat on my chest.

On the star.

"Forgive me for this," she said.

Her palm went hot.

It was gold, not the white fire she had thrown at Maelis.

It poured down through her fingers into the silver web across my ribs and my throat.

I screamed.

I couldn't help it.

Every branch of the oath was burning at the root.

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