“Fine,” she said. Together they raced toward the portal, Keriya ignoring the unpleasant pressure every thudding step caused in her back. Footsteps behind her told her Fletcher was following.
The three friends left the valley and entered the palace courtyard. It wasn’t raining here, though the fog made it impossible for Keriya to see more than a few heights in front of her. She heard a commotion, and she, Fletcher, and Roxanne headed for the noise. Shapes resolved out of the ashy mist, becoming Max and a knot of Imperials.
Max paused in addressing the guards when he noticed Keriya. He looked terrible. He was too thin. His golden hair, once so perfectly windswept, had lost its shine and body. His eyes, though underscored with dark circles, lit up the moment they met hers.
“I have news,” h
