Assassin’s Fate

But I had a last struggle — with myself. I felt myself soaking into him. If I let go, we would be what I had glimpsed when I had called him back from death. I’d be home, with him. A whole thing. But no.

That was not a decision for you to make. I would not go with you.

I know. I know.

The Fool had to live on as himself. He had to save Bee, not me. We had promised one another.

My arm fell away from him. I peeled my awareness away from him. With the last of my strength, I found Bee’s curly little head and set my hand on it. Eda protect you, I prayed to a god I’d never known. I found the Skill-thread to her, snapped it. Then, with certainty, I whispered, ‘The Fool will save you.’

He was already stirring. Time to leave. Time to make this choice mine, not his. I sighed out a final breath and found Nighteyes waiting for me.

Are you ready, my brother?

Yes. I sank into the nothing.

THIRTY-EIGHT Ship of Dragons