The guard scowls at me, grabbing the doorhandle and yanking it shut. I stumble out of the way to avoid being squished, but the moment it’s closed, I press my ear to the door.
Gabe must be in the bathing room because I don’t see him.
“We received our orders.” The guard’s voice is hushed, but fuck him if he thinks I won’t eavesdrop. I hold my breath to hear better. “Despite what they said, they could be spies. They need to remain under guard at all times.”
“I heard our orders, Farris,” Skyler replies, a hard edge to her tone.
“Then why are we having this discussion?” he grumbles.
“Because she’s still a person! And my heart isn’t made of stone. Besides, it’s not like she’s asking us for the moons. She just wants some food.”
A pause, then a low rumble. “This is a bad idea.”
“Yes, you’ve made your position clear. Honestly, Farris, take the damned stick out of your ass. There isn’t anything theBlessed can do. She’s wearing shadestone, and besides, you heard the seer. She’s not going to harm us.”
Farris huffs. “Just because Evelyn said it was so doesn’t necessarily mean?—”
“Don’t,” Skyler snaps, her voice rising. “You know how much Evelyn sacrificed for this community. Don’t finish that sentence. I trust her judgment.”
Farris mumbles something too quiet for me to hear, and my chest tightens. It’s now or never. I slide the door open, peering through the crack at Skyler.
“Please,” I murmur, aware that she’s my last chance. “I promise I won’t try anything. All I want to do is stretch my legs and get some food.”
And if I happen to put space between me and the Hunter and explore our current lodgings at the same time, well that’s a bonus.
Skyler studies me for a long moment before looking to Farris. “I’ll take full responsibility for her,” she tells him. To me, she adds, “I’ll bring you to get some food, but we’re coming right back.”
Farris grumbles under his breath, but I ignore him as I step out of the room and thank the kind soldier.
“You’re welcome.” Skyler slides her hands into her pockets. She turns left, heading down the hall. “This way, Blessed.”
I hurry after her, my footsteps echoing through the corridor. “My name is Wren.”
Not Blessed or Given or Marked One. I’m tired of being labeled by my Mark. I am more than a gods-blessed, more than someone destined to be killed for something out of their control.
“Just Wren,” I add.
The guard glances at me over her shoulder, understanding flitting through her eyes.
“All right, then.” She slows down, giving me time to catch up. “I’m Skyler, but you can call me Sky. It’s nice to meet you.”
And as Sky leads me to a small pantry filled with loaves of fresh bread, jars of pickles and preserves, and several wheels of cheese, I smile. Even though there is still much in the air between Gabriel and me, and even though we are prisoners in the rebels’ home, I can’t help but feel as though I’ve reclaimed a part of myself.
And it feels good.
20
LET THE HUNT CONTINUE
KING ANDREAS
“Where in my gods-damned kingdom is this woman hiding?” I clench my jaw, the crown on my brow feeling heavier than ever. Anger pulses through me, a steady, furious beat that has been my constant companion for weeks.
I curl the fingers of my right hand into a fist. “She has a bright blue Mark in the middle of her forehead. She’s very fucking noticeable!”
Crimson tinges my vision, creeping towards the center of my eyes. I grip the edge of the massive mahogany table that takes up most of the space in my council chamber with my left hand and slam my other fist on the map spread across the shiny surface.
“Myreth isn’t endless,” I snarl. My skin glows a muted red, a reminder of my power. “Where in Esyn’s bloody name could she be?”
