Marie is sobbing, her cheeks glistening as the gag muffles the sound of her grief, but Violet meets my gaze.
We will, her eyes seem to say.
The king moves a few feet away from the girls. Not far enough so that I can breathe, but enough to show that he’s willing to let them go.
As long as I cooperate.
I’m so sorry, Gabriel, I whisper down our bond. Even if he can’t hear me, I hope he knows how sorry I am.I will always love you.
I take a step towards the king, my Mark and my hand equally feeling like they’re about to burst into flames, but I disregard them. After all, my future will be nothing but pain.
Another step.
And another.
Here I am, willingly walking to my execution.
I keep my eyes trained on the king, because even though I’m going to my death, I will do it on my own terms.
I’m so focused on moving one foot in front of the other and being brave in the face of my executioner that the sounds I’m hearing don’t register at first.
The crunching of leaves in the forest. The breaking of branches. A feline’s cry.
I am halfway across the clearing when an anguished roar breaks through my concentration. It twists my heart and makes everything hurt.
No. Oh, suns, no.
I wasn’t fast enough.
“Birdie! No! Fuck!” Gabriel’s voice is getting louder, and my eyes sting at the sound of his panic. “Don’t do this! Don’t fucking do this!”
He is somewhere on my left, judging by the sound of his voice, and I’m sure Mist is close behind. The symbol of our connection is on fire, devouring me from the inside out, but I don’t stop.
I can’t.
I can feel Gabriel’s presence, but I’m not ready to see the anguish I’m sure is on his face. I need to be strong and do this because I’m out of options. I am doomed to die, but my sistersaren’t, and neither is my Hunter. They deserve to live. To be free of the curse I carry on my forehead.
“Wren!” My name has never sounded more broken as it does coming from his lips. “Stop!”
“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, moving steadily towards the king.
He bellows a curse, then adds, “No!”
There is a flicker of movement in the corner of my eye, and suns fucking help me, I am drawn to it. I know it’s Gabriel even before my head turns in his direction.
I try not to look at him head-on, try to keep my resolve strong, but what little I see of the man I love has my heart breaking. Sword in hand and covered in blood that I hope isn’t his own, Gabriel has never looked more like a warrior.
“This is the only way,” I say brokenly.
“Don’t, Wren,” the Hunter says. “Do not take another gods-damned step.”
I wish I didn’t have to.
The king grins, a horrible sight. “She’s coming with me, and there’snothingyou can do about it. You’ve always been a failure, Gabriel. From the moment you were born without a Mark, I knew you’d never be a true son of mine.”
There’s more crashing in the woods. More people are coming.
Our friends’ faces flash through my mind, and I know this needs to end. I must get the king away from here before he can hurt anyone else.
