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But then what would we do once we made it to Blayton?
She was going to hate me when she learned the true reason for my mission. I flinched merely thinking about her brown eyes filling with hurt and distrust.
And how was I going to save Sable, anyway?
A brief thought flitted through my head that I could bring another woman—someone who resembled Nicolette in height and shape and hair coloring—and give her to my father. But I was coming to realize I didn’t have the constitution to push such a fate on any female, no matter who she was.
“Damn it all.” I ground my teeth, internally battling the panic that threatened to rise.
I’d just have to figure out a way to sneak into the dungeons, past all the guards, and free Sable myself. It was the riskiest route and basically impossible to accomplish, but this entire situation was, so what the hell? Might as well try it.
I’d also lose any chance of ever being claimed by my father, but I was okay with that. His imprisoning Sable had been the last straw for me. I was finally ready to let go of my childhood dream of wanting to belong somewhere. Besides, if this worked, I’d still have a sister with me. She and I could start over fresh and build a life together, just the two of us.
As I picked Nicolette up from the ground and carried her to her padded mat, her cheek lulled against my collarbone, and her scent of honey and flowers overwhelmed me.
I suddenly wished she’d been with me in Far Shore before I’d left to seek her out. It’d taken only a day in her company for me to realize I didn’t have the heart to kidnap anyone or drag them to their destruction. If only I’d realized that before leaving; I could’ve made my attempt to free Sable nearly a fortnight ago.
Helping her escape wasn’t going to be an easy task. We’d probably both end up dead. The cells under the Far Shore castle were basically impenetrable, and I had no idea how I’d even get past the guards to reach her.
Against me, Nicolette sighed gratefully. I swallowed as I laid her on her pallet and watched her curl onto her side, where she tucked her knees up toward her chin and rested her hands under her cheek. She looked so vulnerable and trusting that I remai
ned kneeling beside her, simply watching her sleep.
Yes, keeping her safe was imperative. I nodded, reassured by my new plan. I would definitely have to save Sable another way, because nothing evil could happen to this woman. I wouldn’t be able to stand it.
That didn’t mean I believed her crazy idea that we were destined partners or anything. I didn’t have to feel deep, abiding love for a woman just to want her safe.
And yet…
And yet I think I felt something stirring anyway.
There was something about her.
Probably just lust.
Because it couldn’t be true love. That was absurd. Love-marked soul mates didn’t exist. They couldn’t, even if I did appreciate many facets about her. She was pleasant, lacking any vitriolic or demanding aspects. I actually liked being in her company and listening to her ramble on and talk about the oddest things and tell me the quirkiest stories. Her mere presence made things seem—I’m not sure what would be the correct word there.
Peaceful, maybe.
Or clear-headed.
As I was now.
Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed to realize all these days later that the only way to truly help Sable would be to break her straight out of her dungeon cell.
We’d both have to go into hiding afterward, maybe be on the run for the rest of our lives, or until we escaped Far Shore.
My breath caught. We would have to leave Far Shore entirely, wouldn’t we? Maybe we could somehow stay in Donnelly after returning Nicolette home.
Except, no. She’d be too angry when she learned of my lies. And I’m sure her king of a brother would want my head on a platter for stealing her in the first place.
So, both Far Shore and Donnelly were out. And we couldn’t go south to Lowden or High Cliff; they were both too closely aligned with Donnelly. It would probably be best to go north to Blair, then. Or maybe Near Shore, but we’d have to cross all the way through Donnelly to get there, so that might be too risky.
Blair it was, then.
I sighed, realizing the odds of actually accomplishing all that was unfeasible, and yet I was determined to try anyway. Because being around Nicolette made me feel a sense of hope.
Her and her constant talk of trusting in that damn mark. I swear.
