It can’t be.I didn’t want to believe it. But instinct told me what I didn’t want to know.
I emerged from the woods. Within the clearing were no traps, no guards, but something even more wretched. Emma stood at the base of the Willow Maiden, a hand over her mouth, looking up at the massive tree with tears streaming down her face.
My heart wept with loss. Hanging from a branch of the Willow Maiden was our Jasper, a noose around his neck, his lifeless body swinging in the wicked wind. Though his eyes had long lost their light, there was still the semblance of a cry for help within them.
We’d come too late.
Chapter Fourteen
Emma
Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I stared slack-jawed at the sight of Jasper swinging from the tree. I was completely frozen in time. The hope I had stored up in me withered and died at the macabre scene, and at that moment, I lost all anger at Jasper. I didn’t care that he had betrayed us, only wept that he’d felt so desperate to do so, for this was his end.
Gods help us. Was this the fate of our beloved friends, of the people we cared for so desperately? I felt more than responsible. I felt as if I was the master of Jasper’s fate, and my quest had led him here to ruin.
“Cut him down,” Ethan said roughly. Alexei moved to help. He climbed up the Willow Maiden’s branches and untied the rope from around the tree limb, lowering Jasper’s body. Finlay caught him, and laid him on the ground. Alexei removed the noose, and Finlay tossed it harshly aside.
I knelt by Jasper’s side and stroked his long hair back as tears fell from my eyes and onto his face. “I’m so sorry, Jasper. I wish…”
I put my hand over my mouth and held in a scream. It was horribly wicked that we had to conceal our grief instead of weeping openly, for Gabby’s soldiers were still out there.
I wanted to go out there and find them. Hunt them down, make each of themsufferfor what they’d done to my friend.
I could kill them all and it wouldn’t change a thing. Jasper was gone. Death upon his enemies wouldn’t bring him back.
Jasper’s lips were bloody. I reached out to close his eyes and cringed away at how chilled his skin was.
I couldn’t stand to gaze upon him any longer. I stood and turned away, turning my back to the Willow Maiden. I’d considered the tree a friend, an ally. But she’d been compliant in Jasper’s murder. The previously enchanted clearing, with its stories of Seelie royals and a woman who changed into a willow, had been desecrated and defiled. No matter how much power this place held, all the magic from the Willow Maiden was now gone for me, and it would never return.
“We failed him.” Ethan approached me. He laid a gentle hand on my shoulder as we admitted defeat for what felt like the thousandth time.
I wiped away tears with the heel of my hand. “I only wish… why didn’t he come to us, Ethan? Why did hedothis? This doesn’t make any sense.”
“If only we had answers,onawilke.” He drew me into a hug, and I again related how cruel and sick this world was. I knew in my heart this was Gabby’s doing, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but blame myself.
This wasn’t the work of greed, or vengeance. I knew in my heart he hadn’t wanted to do this. Jasper had been manipulated somehow. I had failed to protect my friend, and that was the reason he was dead.
Finlay had conjured a shovel, and was working on digging a grave as he wept silent tears. His anger was warring with his grief, and it was clear he didn’t know which to feel.
As I withdrew from Ethan’s hug, Alexei approached me gently. “This was in his pocket,” he whispered. “It’s addressed to you.”
The lump in my throat was so hard it was painful. I took the crumpled paper from Alexei, and unfurled it.
It was a letter. There were tear stains on the paper. He’d been openly weeping as he’d composed this. The cursive writing was red… a letter written in his own blood. He’d had enough magic to conjure the quill and the paper, but not enough left for the ink.
My Dearest Emma,
I write this letter in great haste, for I approach my end. You know now what I am ashamed to admit; I am the betrayer.
She has them, Emma. I handed them over. I have nothing to offer but this poor explanation, and to beg you to not hate me for it.
My parents remained in Dolinska after you ascended to the throne. I had hope for a bright future then, but as I soon learned, they were working undercover for Gabby. I was honor-bound to turn them in, but before I could, the dark queen herself approached me. She knew whom I loved, and promised to end Ozzie’s life if I did not serve her purposes.
I became terrified. I had the thought that perhaps you and Ethan could protect me, and that I should tell the truth. I see now that is what I should’ve done, fool I was, but at the time, all I could imagine was Ozzie perishing at her hands, and I would give my life to prevent that.
Loyalty to a mate will overcome loyalty to your country— even loyalty to your friends. I felt awful for everything I did, and yet, how could I stop? Ozzie was safe, and Gabby promised me he would remain so as long as I did what she asked.
She tricked me into a bad contract, Emma. She worded it so carefully— that I’d only have to work for her until you no longer had power over the country. I thought once you and Ethan stepped down from the throne, I’d be released from the agreement, and she’d leave me and Ozzie alone.
