Page 20 of The Reaping Rose

What is right and what is wrong when the answer depends on which side you fight for? People suffer at both ends. Sacrifices are necessary. So why can’t I seem to accept that now?

“Are you nervous to meet her?” Letia asks.

“Yes. No.” I step over a large branch that lies in our path. “I don’t know how I feel about it. Mabel was the closest person to a mother I’ve had.”

She clears her throat, her eyes glassy at the mention of her mother. “Well, I do know one thing. My mother would have been very disappointed in your choice of outfit.”

Her comment chokes a sad laugh from both of us as I look down at my leathers.

“She’d insist I wear a dress for the occasion.”

“She would.” Letia’s smile is sad. “You better make it out of there.”

“Gods forbid you have to handle Callum alone,” I joke, and he glances back at us with a frown that has us both giggling.

“Yes, Gods forbid.” She reaches for my hand, squeezing it. “But also, I need you. We’ve done everything in this life together so far. It would be a shame to stop now.”

“It would be a shame,” I agree. “But you don’t need me if it comes down to it. You’re the one who kept the village together while I was gone. You’re stronger than you think you are.”

She frowns but doesn’t argue. With a final squeeze, she releases my hand, and we walk the rest of the way to the prison in silence.

We pass the line where the morning glories used to grow, and I swear the air thickens. My heartbeat thunders in my throat.

Even Greer, whose determination has blazed all morning, stiffens her back as we cross the boundary of the prison. Her hand rests on the pommel of the sword as her gaze lifts to the spires. Her silver-winged jewelry is sharper in the harsh light of morning, reflecting what little sun breaks through the clouds.

Silver-painted runes mark her ebony skin at her temples. In Tempest, her aunt wore similar runes, and when I asked Greer what they meant, she told me they’re blessings of sight and fortune. Marks of Evaline to grant them the wisdom to see a journey through.

Greer is practical to a fault, but for me, she bears those marks today in hope.

Letia trudges ahead, stopping with Greer at the prison entrance while Callum snags my elbow.

“I have something for you.” He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small gray stone on a string. At its center is a perfect circle of runes carved into the surface. “I read about these in Emual’s journal. He said the first human guards who entered the prison wore pathway runes to help guide their way. They believed these helped lead them out.”

Callum sets the stone in my palm, and it’s cold as ice.

“Why did the guards stop wearing them then? I don’t remember these growing up.”

“Maybe they didn’t work. Or they grew confident without them. They stopped traveling as deep once they learned the prison would lead them to where they needed to go. It might be meaningless, but I thought it was worth giving this to you just in case.”

“I appreciate it.” I take his hand, tears stinging my eyes.

This gift is unlike Callum, who usually relies only on things he’s certain will work. Him handing me this necklace is his way of upholding his promise to my father to protect me in every way he can.

I sweep my hair aside, and Callum secures the necklace. It falls just above my hanging heart rune that marks my soul bind to Wilder.

“The prison guides you where you need to go,” Callum reminds me. “So long as you stay on the path, you should be able to get back out.”

“If my blood allows.” I look to the runes decorating the doorway, the ones that trap Fae inside until death.

Last time I walked this path, my magic slumbered deeper. I had not yet learned to wield it. I did not know what I was. Now, I do. And in the eyes of the gods, I’ve changed. What that means for walking inside is unknown.

“You’ll be fine,” Callum decides, stepping between me and the prison to look me in the eyes. “But be careful. Just because she’s your mother by blood doesn’t mean you can trust her. Your father didn’t.”

“I don’t trust her,” I assure him. “But I have to learn what she knows about my magic—how it works. Everything Malachi said about Wilder’s and my magic made it sound like we should have been able to heal the realms, but we couldn’t. Something is missing.”

“Get your answers and then get out of there.” Callum lifts the stone from my chest, spinning it between his thumb and finger.

“And you’ll be ready once I do,” I say, mustering the last of my optimism. “Greer knows where I left the sword. It might not have much magic after what it did to the Well, but make it work. Find the rings and open the Gate. I’ll meet you within the week.”