It’s at this moment when I realize I trust him with everything in me, including my heart, something no one has ever held. Not a single person. It’s also at this moment when I unravel.
Catching a quick glimpse of my bracelet I see it is still yellow.
“I have something to tell you.” I stroke his cheek with my thumb. “A lot of things to tell you, actually. Are you ready?”
He stops tracing his finger over me and his tone is more hesitant than before, but he still holds on to me. “Anything,” he says. “You can always tell me anything.”
PART THREE
TURN OF EVENTS
27
IANN
Today is my final day in Haymel—that’s if all goes according to plan. Although departure is set for tomorrow, I asked Benny, Deean, and Rolley to secure a ship and to prepare the others to leave tonight.
Ariah confessed to everything, and I was only partially surprised. My father has spies of his own, people paid to do his grunge work; they aren’t called Foxes, but I’m sure they have a name of their own. Gran will surely gloat about her warning for me turned out to be correct. The most shocking part of it all is the extraction of Marcel’s blood, which is a secret that shall forever be mine. If he finds out what she did he would have no qualms about killing her. And while she did lie, her secrets didn’t do much to change my feelings for her.
The biggest challenge will be convincing Marcel to leave for Saden tonight, without disclosing all details. But I fear if Queen Cayleen finds out we have stolen a ship and taken her people she will take it out on him. Despite everything, I can’t set him up like that. Instead of me informing Marcel, I send Deean todo it, which is against my better judgment but it’s one of the few options I have.
After breakfast, to ensure the Queen isn’t using an enchantment on Marcel, I distract her with light conversation. Most of it consists of inquiring which guests will be in attendance tonight. She seems more excited than usual, and I can’t decipher if it’s because she enjoys a good ball or if she’s planning something nefarious. Afterall, she has a vial of my brother’s blood and in the wrong hands bad things can come from it.
“He intends to leave tonight,” Deean whispers in my ear. “All our men, including Esha, will disappear.”
I nod and pretend to laugh, as if he’s told a joke. “Good. I feel like this may revert our kingdoms back to being rivals but…”
“It’s better than ending up dead,” Deean finishes for me. “I’ve also sent word by carrier pigeon Father. He should know soon.” Deean smiles at a group of women walking by as they gawk at us. “You sure Farella is worth it? We can just go back with the others. Take Ariah with us.”
Having Ariah come back with me to Saden is what I desire most. It’s selfish because I know her life is here, but what if she could start over somewhere else, with someone else.
“I promised our father. And for whatever reason he’s desperate for it.”
“You don’t think someone is sick, do you?” I stare at him and watch his face twist with concern. “Who? Do you think he’s dying?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling. We’ve come too far now. I will find that flower.”
He places a hand on my shoulder. “I’m with you. We’ll do whatever it takes.”
Night comes quickly and everything is in place for our departure tonight. Our bags wait, packed in the rooms, but when it comes down to it, the unimportant items will be left behind. Marcel is set to flee in a carriage but knows if he needs to go sooner, he is to go by horseback.
We all dress for the ball. Ariah surprises me with an outfit she crafted herself, one she promises will go with her dress. The mask she selects for me is sage green with a long beaked nose and covered with golden filigree.
She even assists Deean with selecting an outfit and is pleased to finally be introduced properly to my brother. While the Queen knows all three of us are here, Ariah promises not to give away his identity.
Near nightfall, Ariah slips away to get ready and Benny comes in shortly thereafter.
“I’ve secured us a ship,” he says fiddling with the top button of his shirt.
“Don’t you look nice and dapper.” A shirtless Deean tosses Benny a compliment as he searches for some jewelry in one of the packed bags. “Where is the chunky gold necklace? It’s my newest piece. It would go perfectly with the mask Ariah selected.”
“Servants aren’t really meant to wear too much jewelry,” Benny says nonchalantly.
“No one asked you.”
Benny grins before smuggling a cough with his hand. “Plus, I used it as a down payment for a ship.”
Deean snaps a head in his direction. “You did what?”
