Page 137 of Fate's Wicked Oath

In response to my frequent visits to this hallowed place, Lord Haron had attempted all manner of traps, locks, and guards over the years. I had expected considerable measures tonight, yet I was met only by an open door and a single Mighty Knight. My heart leapt at the sight of golden armor reflecting the light of my sword back at me; I squinted past the glare, deflating when I saw that the man was not Faren.

“I do not wish to harm you.” My voice sounded strange down here, nearly as thin as the cold air. “But I will if I must.”

“I do not wish to stop you,” the knight said, stepping aside. “Mariana.”

I lowered Windthorn to better see the man’s eyes, dubious of his intentions. But he appeared relaxed, with thumbs hooked through his sword belt and a coaxing smile on his round face.

“Hayward sends his regards.”

“Faren.” My heart throbbed painfully, and I took one stumbling step closer. “He…he’s alright?”

“On the mend.”

I let out a rough, relieved sigh. “He knew you’d be seeing me?”

The knight scratched the back of his neck. “He had a hunch.”

My mouth twitched with the faintest hint of a smile.

“We’ve worked together closely these past few weeks.”

“With Oderin,” I said.

“Major Farkept. Yes.”

I shifted on my feet, feeling antsy. To be in such close proximity to Faren and not race upstairs to see him—tohelphim, to hold onto him and never let go—was proving harderthan I’d expected. To know that Faren had accounted for me and kept the hope of our original plan alive…it was too much for my foolish, oversensitive heart.

“Where is he now?”

“The Great Hall.”

Though I had expected that answer, my pulse stuttered. That was where Heris was headed. Where I wassupposedto go next.

I die inside Castle Might, Faren had told me. He’d never told mewhere, exactly, but the Great Hall during a rebellion seemed more likely than any other time or place.

A fearful voice inside my head screamed for me to keep my distance and avoid distracting Faren in the coming melee, to spare him the potential harm of my proximity, remembering what had happened to Grinnick and how I’d failed him. Yet another part of me—the part of me who’d laid in Faren’s arms and envisioned a happier future at my fingertips—wondered if we were better off fighting together. If defying Heris—not serving him—was indeed the path toallour freedom.

But I couldn’t forget Heris’s leverage over me and my family.Your Fortune is self-sacrifice, I reminded myself. I knew my role in this. I could not allow myself to get distracted by hope. Even Faren’s hope.

“What’s your plan?” I asked the Mighty Knight.

“To save the realm,” he said simply. I could practically hear those words in Faren’s voice instead of his.

“Care to be more specific,” I ventured, “so I might avoid interfering?”

“Not to worry. Your role is already accounted for.”

I frowned. “You let us in on purpose.”

“We did.” The knight removed a set of keys from his belt. “Hayward said you might need these.”

I looked past him into the cavernous library beyond. Then I took the keys. The metal was cold, heavy, promising.

“Whyareyou down here?” the knight asked. “Hayward wouldn’t say.”

My throat tightened at the thought of Faren refusing to repeat my secret—even to safe ears. He trusted me. He respected me. Hecaredfor me, even though he shouldn’t.

“I’m here to save the realm, too,” I replied weakly.