AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter18
The thought that sleep would have been possible was a cruel joke played on me by my tired brain.
Instead, I tossed and turned. I battled with the mundane “when will I get to tell Noah his fiancée is a liar” versus the less mundane “if this is an ambush, am I ready to die for the Unseelie?”
A bird chirped at my windowpane as the first light touched the sky. It was still dark for the most part. I liked to think the little bird was the same one who had come to visit me on my birthday. He’d been back a few times here and there, chirping a bit before flying away.
“Have you come to say goodbye?” I asked from my bed.
I took a deep breath and stood up, walking to the chair where I’d set the small bag I’d be taking with me. Besides two changes of undergarments, two additional pairs of pants, which according to Noah was critical should we encounter a fight, and a few odds and ends, I wasn’t bringing anything else. No dresses. All essentials. The border was apparently only a few hours away by horseback.
My riding wasn’t that good. Fighting was more the skill they focused training us on, though we’d been a few times here and there. But there was little choice now than to pray it’d work out and I could keep up.
I reached under my pillow after making my bed and grabbed the letter Vanessa had written. I didn’t trust leaving it behind, though I knew it would do me no good on this trip. It would have to wait, if it would matter at all in the end. I shoved it into my bag and closed it up.
The bird chirped three times and when I smiled at it, it flew away.
I was never a fan of goodbyes. I’m not sure anyone is a fan, but I really avoided them. They were usually only done for terrible reasons in my life. So instead of goodbye, I told Nicole at dinner I was going with Noah to the border towns and that was that. She didn’t press, and we talked about other things the rest of the meal.
I walked back to my room alone. Slept alone—well, tried to sleep. And here I was. Packing my bags and walking out of my room alone. I took one more glance around at the beautiful living situation I’d stumbled into and couldn’t help but smile.
If it came down to it, was I willing to die for the Unseelie? Yes.
Even the vile, hateful queen. Because this was my home. And I’d vowed a few months ago to stand up for it, and I would continue to do so. To threats inside the castle and out.
With a newfound sense of strength and a dash of hope, I made my way to the front courtyard where we’d be departing from.
“You look rested.”
I jumped hearing a voice come up beside me when I wasn’t expecting it.
“What are you doing here? I figured you’d be knocked out until at least ten minutes after wake-up calls.” I looped my arm through Nicole’s as she strode alongside me, surprisingly comforted and grateful she was there.
Nicole muttered unintelligibly. “All I know is that you better be back here soon. Guess who got told she was the treasonous duchess’ lady’s maid in your absence?”
“No,” I squeaked. “At least you can keep an eye on her.” My thoughts turned serious. “Especially if she makes a play while the king and queen are preoccupied with Noah being gone.”
“Yeah, can’t wait.”
We continued to walk in silence, until I was sure no one was around. “I’m taking the letter with me. That way, nothing can happen to you should something happen and it’s found.”
“Cora, I’m not sure –“ Nicole’s argument would do no good, and instead of letting her fight back, I squeezed her arm.
“I have the king’s trust, but haven’t had a moment to see him. I tried going to the Queen thinking she’d finally believe me, only to stupidly be reminded that wasn’t happening. I’m not leaving something like this with you and risk anything that could harm you. End of discussion.”
A squeeze to my own arm was the only response I received from her, and we proceeded together the rest of the way to the front, parting only once the doors opened.
Already standing by steeds were three other male fae and a female fae. They were the other warriors assigned to this mission and going with us. I recognized them from a few training lessons with Aron. I noticed no other feeders were going. I’d have to ask Noah why and hope it wasn’t because I was to be used for all of them.
The farewell party was small, perhaps not to draw too much attention from those within the castle. If they knew the prince was gone on a mission to see how our borders were, there may be unrest. The king and queen, Vanessa, Captain Coltrain, and Nicole were the only ones outside of our group leaving who were present.
The king approached me and pulled me in for a hug. Apparently, there was no protocol this morning. I saw the queen with her arms around Noah in a show of affection I know she rarely displayed.
“Keep an eye on him, and keep his head straight. Trap, no trap, you know how to fight together. Be smart.” The king gave me short snippets of advice rapid-fire and then squeezed my arms before leaning in one more time. “I’m grateful he has you. No one else would protect him better.”
I smiled and nodded. “You have my word.”
The queen bowed her head slightly toward me, which was more than I thought I was going to get. There wasn’t long to think on that because Vanessa had suddenly burst out with a dramatic cry and flung herself at Noah.
