Flashback ( PDFDrive )

know what it’s like to lose a child. Silveny and Greyfell are about to
lose two.”
“It will be brutal,” Edaline agreed, moving closer, trailing gentle
fingers through Sophie’s hair. “This kind of grief . . . There are no
words for it. But Silveny is strong. She couldn’t have survived so long
on her own if she wasn’t. And she has Greyfell. And you. And all of us.
She has a whole world ready to do whatever she needs to get through.
So it will be hard, and it will likely take time, but . . . she won’t let this
loss break her.”
Sophie wanted to believe her.
But she felt broken, and she wasn’t even the one about to lose two
babies.
“There might be another option,” Tarina said, her voice soft and
chirpy.
Sophie stumbled away from everyone to face her. “What do you
mean?”
Tarina leaned closer. “I can’t answer that question unless you agree
to our alliance—and I promise I’m not saying that to force your hand.
The information I’d have to share beyond what I’ve just said . . . I can’t
share it unless you’ve sworn to protect it. And even then, it leaves my
people vulnerable in ways you wouldn’t be able to imagine. So I need
your word that you’re with us—truly with us. Otherwise I can’t take
that risk.”
“Should we be concerned that they’re speaking in a language we
can’t understand?” Timkin asked, making Sophie realize Tarina had
shifted them to Trollish.
“They do that sometimes,” Grady told him, with a casualness that
didn’t match the knowing glance he aimed at Sophie.