Page 74 of The Seeker

He’d promised he wouldn’t lie to me.

There was a mistake. There had to be.

There was a sigh from behind me, then the voice I would know anywhere spoke. “I’m here, Father.”

I tore my gaze over my shoulder, hurt consuming me as I gazed at Otho, his betrayal stabbing me in the gut. I shook my head, the words spilling out, not caring that we were still in the presence of royalty. “You . . . you said your parents . . .”

Otho opened his mouth, then closed it again, his shame brushing me like a prickly weed.

The stabbing sensation in my midsection intensified. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t stay here.

I wouldn’t be made a fool again.

Not caring about anything anymore, not even if I lived or died, I ran from the room, retracing our steps as best as I could through the waterfall of tears. The stone walls became a labyrinth, but I pushed forward, hoping I was making the right choice at each corner.

I fought like a mad woman, trying to remember something—anything, until the smell of the sprigs of lavender reached my nose.

I was headed in the right direction.

“Runa! Wait!” The call came over my shoulder, but I didn’t slow, pushing forward with all my might. I knew Otho was faster than me. My only hope was to exit the palace walls and disappear into the crowd.

“Runa, stop! Please! I can explain!”

The guards in front of me saw me coming, and they began to push the door open. Without thinking, I shoved my palm forward, calling to my wind magic to speed up the process, their eyes widening as the door handles jerked from their grasp, the door slamming open.

I didn’t stop to explain, maintaining my pace through the garden, though I could hear Otho’s heavier footfalls on the stones behind me.

I could see the gate.

I was almost there.

I was almost free.

“Runa, please, wait. Let me just speak!”

A hand encircled my wrist, but I yanked it out of his grip as I had been taught by Askel, shoving through the small portal and into the streets.

I didn’t look back. He didn’t even deserve that.

It was unclear if he’d paused because he thought he’d had me, or because he didn’t want to exit the palace walls, but I didn’t hear him shout again as I melted into the crowd on the streets, thankful they had grown busier during our time in line.

Tears tracked down my face one after another, causing some on the street to stop and stare, but I didn’t care.

A plan forming in my mind, I weaved my way back to the inn, chancing a glance over my shoulder before running up the stairs and into our shared room. My hand shook as I fought the key into the lock, certain that, at any moment, I would be forced to face him.

To face the gaping hole he’d left in my chest.

I locked the door behind me. I had to be quick, before he found me.

I dumped the contents of Otho’s bag, snatching up the pouch of coins that fell out.

He’s the king’s son. He doesn’t need it, I lied to myself as I shoved it into my own pack, along with my spare pair of clothing. My gaze caught on my sword, the one I’d taken from Malheim, attached to the waterskin, but it would be too complicated to travel with it. I wished for the knife I’d also stolen that fateful day, but I’d traded it away. With a dejected sigh, I closed the door, running down the stairs. The innkeeper’s eyes were wide, questions dancing in her gaze as I tossed the metal key on the counter without explanation.

Then I was back in the dusty street. I didn’t linger in front of the inn, running down several streets before swinging into an unoccupied alley, sliding down into a sitting position against the wall.

My chest felt as if someone had yanked my heart out, and I fought to breathe as the adrenaline faded. I forced myself to close my eyes, steadying my breathing as I searched for the place inside of me where my magic resided.