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But he said nothing.
“For the same reason anyone does anything,” Ladrien crooned. “Money, power…love.”
Markham walked towards him, still ignoring Juliana’s gaze. “My payment,” he said. “You promised.”
No,Juliana thought desperately.There’s been some mistake.
Ladrien had been about to kill her. Had he not even thought about that? Granted, he was likely still fighting Kieran, but to not make her protection part of any deal—
She remembered his words before she boarded the carriage.
Don’t do anything foolish in order to keep him safe. Run the first chance you get.
He had not expected her to stay and fight. He had told her not to.
No, no, no.
Ladrien smiled. He stepped towards Markham, and whispered in his ear.
Markham’s eyes widened. “No,” he murmured, and for the first time, his eyes fell to Juliana. “No, no, you’re wrong.”
“Foolish mortal,” Ladrien said, still grinning. “We can be many things, but not liars. I have told you naught but truth. That it is what it is, do not blame me.”
Markham shook his head, still mumbling, all his composure lost. Juliana had never seen him this way, his actions painful, deranged.
“I can’t… I won’t…”
“Then don’t,” said Ladrien, turning away from him. “Makes no difference to me.”
He swiped his hand, and a wall of thorns blazed between them.
Juliana looked down at Hawthorn. His eyes were closed, breathing even. Maytree was staring at the place where Markham stood, utterly disbelieving.
This wasn’t happening.
Hawthorn wasn’t sleeping. The curse hadn’t taken effect. Princess Serena was still coming to save them. Her father hadn’t betrayed them.
She looked down at Hawthorn. “Wake up,” she whispered. “Please.”
If he just woke up, if he spoke to her, if he said anything at all, maybe, just maybe, things would be all right. Somehow.
She didn’t know what to do.
Her eyes fell to her sword, resting not far away.
“Oh no, I don’t think so,” Ladrien said.
“You promised not to hurt me,” she whispered, dimly remembering Hawthorn’s request.
Why, Hawthorn, why? Why did you come back?
“I did,” he said, as his fingers reached for a pouch on his belt. “I said nothing about making you sleep.”
Before Juliana could react, he blew a handful of gold dust in her face, fine as sand.
She slumped to Hawthorn’s chest.
It’s over,was her final thought.Everything is lost.
