The general not only spoke of the things Nocturne had once dreamed of, but he spoke as though they were possible. As if the world still stood a chance against what those overseas referred to as theShadow Growing in the West.Nocturne used to hope for many things; used to believe a world of light might again exist one day. A world without bloodshed and treachery.
It had been a long time since she’d hoped. Since believing had been anything more to her than a word. And she was terrified of ever allowing it to become something more.
But as Nocturne and the general bid goodnight to each other, she found herself daring to believe in him.
20
When the general had taken off his hood, Sable’s mind had started jogging, spurring her to remember how she knew him. Her head hurt with the effort to dredge up old memories, and Avalon was beginning to tire of her ceaseless contemplation as they strode south, toward Emeraldis, the capital of the Forest Realm. To whoever Clarice Springs was.
Tell me about the general,Sable said.
Avalon followed Hadrian through the woods, her legs quaking with the effort to keep moving. The chill had settled deep in her bones; she could barely feel her toes, and her ears were so numb she wouldn’t be surprised if they’d fallen off.
What do you want to know?Avalon asked.
Everything.
His name is Kit Wilding. He’s the general of the northern branch of the king’s army, the Wolf Pack.
Sable was silent for a moment, waiting for Avalon’s words to sink in and nudge a memory from the folds of her mind. But nothing surfaced, and the longer she stayed silent, the more frustrated she became.
Avalon interrupted her contemplation.You can’t remember him, can you?
Sable shook her head internally.
He certainly seemed to remember you. At least, he remembered the mask.
You think?Though Sable’s tone came out sharp, she was simply surprised.
The world around them bounced as Avalon nodded.He looked at me—at us—as if he didn’t expect to see the mask. He hardly looked away from us that entire time.
Perhaps he thinks I’m pretty,Sable teased.
The laugh that burst through Avalon’s lips earned her a look from Hadrian that suggested he was afraid she was losing her mind. Sometimes Sable felt like she was losing hers. She had to get out of this mask.
As they made their way through the frigid night, Avalon had a thought.
Losing her mind wouldn’t be so bad if she had someone to lose it with.
~
They had no choice but to stop for a rest once they reached the border that separated the Realm of Ice from the Forest Realm.
Far off in the distance, deep in a wooded valley, the lights of Emeraldis winked awake as twilight deepened, the city a cluster of golden stars beneath a vast canopy of silver ones. Emeraldis was the only source of light for miles, and against the backdrop of night, the lanterns, gaslights, and stars blended seamlessly together, like an entire galaxy had been shattered into a million colorful pieces.
They set up camp on a hill overlooking a lake that shimmered like a pool of ink. Avalon could hardly wait until the morning, when she could take a dip in the waters. Far too many hours had passed since her last bath, and she was very,veryclose to throwing a tantrum about it. She would hate to see her reflection right about now, and she pitied Hadrian for having to look at her the entire time they’d been on the run. At least it was dark out.
When they’d snuck into the House of Ice, they had managed to steal some food and supplies. So as soon as their bedrolls were spread out on the crisp grass, and a fire was burning low, they shared a meal of bread, cheese, and apples. Avalon wished they had more, but she took comfort in knowing Emeraldis wasn’t far away now. Before they went looking for Clarice Springs, she would make sure to find a place with good,realfood. Hot soup, roasted lamb, steamed vegetables… She’d nearly forgotten what it was like to eat a real meal.
“You’re thinking about food, aren’t you?” Hadrian’s question cut into her daydreaming.
Avalon’s chewing slowed, and she struggled to make out his features in the dark. They couldn’t have a fire much bigger than what was currently burning, lest they attract unwanted attention.
The captain smiled at her expression of guilt. “Whenever you think of how hungry you are, your eyebrows get this wacky little scrunch to them, and your stomach starts making whale noises.”
She was thankful it was dark out, as blush flooded her cheeks and neck, coursing through her every limb until it felt like she’d lit on fire. “So what if I am?” she said. “You can’t tell me you aren’t eagerly awaiting the moment that we can eat something that isn’t stale or stolen.”
“Idolook forward to it,” he agreed. “But if I had to choose between a hot meal and a warm bed, I’d probably choose the bed.”
