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It made sense now to why Zach was helping. He wanted to get Anna out. Sebastian had wings, so he could help fly us out if needed. Maybe he would agree once he found out about the plot against me. But it was unlikely that we would get far. Maybe with my mom's help, but even then…
“I’ll take my chances,” I blurted. “Even if I don’t make it back. I will not have your blood on my hands.”
“Olivia, I have lived many lifetimes—”
I raised a hand to stop her. “Don’t. Please.” I held the veil in my hands, smoothing my thumbs over the rough designs in the lace. “I will refuse any food and drink.”
She shook her head. “It is too risky.”
“This is my decision.” I crossed my arms. “I am grateful, Erianna. Truly. You are a good person, and one of the few reasons I don’t completely hate vampires. You were a friend to me from the beginning when I needed one most, and I will not abandon you now. I owe you and Zach for breaking your trust before and getting us into trouble. For not doing more to stop them from taking your wings.” I didn’t say Sebastian’s name, but I felt the weight of his soul in my heart. I wanted to save him, too. “So, please. Let us believe I will return. In my last minutes, I need you to pretend nothing is amiss. I can’t go into this scared. Please, act as if you believe I will survive this and their plan will fail,” I begged, because I had to believe it, too.
She strained a smile, but there were no creases under the eyes to show any genuineness to it. “Of course, there’s a good chance. As long as you don’t eat or drink anything.” Her voice was hollow.
“Thank you.” I nodded. “I only wish I could remain mortal and still be the princess.”
Erianna leaned against the doorframe. “Maybe you can. You should talk to the gods about it when you cross over.” She said the words so casually, as if we were discussing what to eat for dinner.
My eyes widened, and I suppressed a nervous laugh. Gods. Actual Gods. And I would meet them. I glanced at the clock. We had minutes. I placed the veil over my face, glad for it so she didn’t have to see the tremble on my bottom lip.
Sebastian entered the room. I felt his presence before he uttered a word. Turning slowly, I couldn’t help but catch my breath from seeing him. Every touch we had shared last night was fresh on my skin. I could still feel his kiss against my neck.
He had no idea of the danger we were all in. I lifted my veil, shooting Erianna a pleading glare before lowering it again.
An amused grin spread across his face. “While you’re there,” he said to Erianna, “you can also ask them to make me mortal.”
Her eyes narrowed, and the hue from the lamp caught a glint of darkness behind them. “Do not mock me. The gods will listen.”
“I know they have no interest in what we have to say.”
Erianna snorted. “You’re right. They probably don’t have any interest in whatyouhave to say. You’re not of royal blood. Just a prince by marriage.”
“You wound me,” he teased.
I sighed in relief. Duplicity came naturally to her as she acted as if nothing was wrong. Although, I supposed, she had centuries to master the art of lying. This probably wasn’t the first time she’d had to remain calm in a tragedy. She was a warrior, after all.
Erianna tilted her head. “Be glad it’s only with words.” She unsheathed her dagger, rolling it around in her grasp.
He scoffed a laugh. “I am. I remember the last time I tried to spar with you.”
Her expression softened, and a smile curved her lips. She put the dagger back.
Time was running out. I wanted nothing more than to grab the little hand ticking down the seconds until I was about to die and rip it clean off. Although it would do nothing to the time I had left, it might make me feel better.
“Olivia.” A sigh loosed from Sebastian’s lips. The laughter so ready in his mouth disappeared when he looked at me. As if he was remembering last night, too. “Are you ready?”
I nodded, wanting to be brave, but my knees almost buckled as I stepped toward the door. Erianna was by my side as the color drained from my face. I caught my reflection in the mirror over my dresser and placed the veil back over my face.
Sebastian kept his distance, unaware that we might never explore the connection we had together after tonight. But, I wondered, would he try to escape if I didn’t make it back to the land of the living? Without me, my father would kill them all. I looked at them both, and the unsettling realization chilled my bones. They wouldn’t.
Closing my eyes, I committed the pieces of Sebastian to memory; the way his touch felt against my skin, how his eyes twinkled when he laughed. I peeled back my eyelids, lifting my gaze to meet his. I studied how he watched me with the same intensity he had when we met. There was safety when I was in his arms, and I craved it more than ever. Slowly, I walked, and focused on only one thing: survival. Ihadto survive.
THIRTEEN
Olivia
It was genius really, not killing me before the ceremony. If Kalon had, fingers may have pointed back to him. This way, if I didn’t come back, they would think I got lost on the other side, or the gods kept me there.
I’d underestimated him.
