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“And what about Daethian?” I looked up, finding the curtains squared off around us.
Somewhere nearby Daethian lay unconscious. Would a few days be enough for him to wake up?
“He took a spear straight through his chest. It’s nothing short of a miracle that he survived. If anything, it’s probably for the best he isn’t awake to feel the pain. Trust me, it’s not enjoyable.”
He did have a point. Though I’d rather hear his voice sooner than later. I lowered my head, snuggling tighter against him. Somehow, I’d gotten lucky and both of them survived. How long would this luck last?
Chapter24
Dace
Days went by and my mind stewed over the news that Ryker had brought. Bed-bound, I had nothing to do except think about Torrance and his father’s betrayal. The infirmary was quiet, a place for resting and mending the healer had said when I complained. They didn’t know the depths my thoughts could take me, how dangerous and dark it could quickly become. I fought not to lose myself inside my head.
Ryker visited often, bringing novels from my personal collection to read aloud. Her voice helped to drown out the quiet. It focused my mind on the narrative of a fictional character with problems much smaller than mine. After a while though, she’d press a kiss to my lips and venture across the room and read a different story to Daethian. Sometimes, I’d lean toward her voice. Sometimes, I was already diving into my plan.
New bandages were wrapped tightly around me, a solid black shirt covered them with room to spare. I looked back at my cot and smoothed out the blanket. My legs were stronger and I could carry myself well enough to get around. My abdomen was still sore and I needed the support of the stiff bandages to keep from feeling like a limp noodle.
Stepping out, I pulled the curtains open to show that my bed was now available. The healer on the other side of the room gave me a polite smile. I currently had his blessing to leave the bed, with strict instructions to take it easy. What I had to do today wouldn’t be easy, but that’s exactly why I hadn't told anyone but Ryker about it. Even she was concerned and attempted to talk me out of it.
White curtains were pulled around another bed just a few cots down. I knew who lay there and I knew how important it was that he woke up. Daethian had more healing to do than I did and it was better if he took his time.
My belt had been hung from the wall. The leather had been polished and the blades sharpened and shined. Even though the weight on my hips put a strain on my wound, I wasn’t going to leave this castle without them.
A guard stood at attention outside the infirmary door. I turned to him, smiling as he gave me a slight bow. “Could you call for a carriage?”
“Yes, my King,” he replied, turning to walk away.
“Please make sure it’s unmarked,” I called after him.
Unmarked, free of all royal insignias. The carriage we used if we wanted to blend in more. Something more regal than the average commoner’s wagon but still similar to any wagon that wealthy Fae would own. I needed to be inconspicuous.
Quickly, I darted down the halls that always appeared to be the least used, heading toward one of our alternate routes to use if we needed to escape. This was the door the carriage should meet me at. Walking out the front door always was a big to-do. Stealth would be on my side if even fewer guards knew that I had wandered from the castle.
The sun shone brightly, not hiding behind its usual clouds. Blades of grass poked out from the melting snow, and water dripped off the limbs of the pine trees—a sure sign that our frigid temperatures would warm up as spring graced us with its presence and led us into summer.
Gravel crunched under the wheels as the coachman pulled the carriage forward, stepping down once it stopped to open the door. I schooled my features to hide the pain that rippled through me as I hoisted myself into a seat. Pain was a weakness and it couldn’t be seen.
“Where to?” The coachman poked his head inside.
Giving him a calculated smile, I leaned down and whispered into his ear. Nothing more than a newly crowned king off to visit a longtime friend. My body lurched forward, rocking with the motion of the wagon as we began careening down the drive and out into the streets of Caratona.
Fae filled the streets in excess, taking advantage of our beautifully sunny day. Even a few Nymphs wandered around, unsure of what to do with their newfound freedom. Soon they’d find themselves with powers they’d long since forgotten the feeling of. A spark of joy lit inside of me, warm and precious. Even if this was all I did with my moment in history, it was well worth the sacrifice and the pain of the journey.
I tried to keep my mind distracted from what I was about to do, tilting my body away from the windows. If I didn’t think about it then maybe I wouldn’t fret with the guilt. My father’s voice repeated in the back of my mind, refusing to let it go. “Sometimes you have to do something you don’t want to do, sometimes it’s necessary, to make sure that your family stays safe.”
In my mind's eye, I could still picture the blood that he washed from his hands. I’d been young, but the memory had been burned inside my brain, unforgettable. My father had left after dinner, kissing me and telling me he’d see me when he returned. Hours passed and my play hadn’t kept me from wondering what was so important that he had to leave me with my mother and the maids who often took care of me.
Even after being tucked into my bed, I lay awake. At the first sound of a horse's whinny, I’d sprung from the covers and sprinted to the window, pressing my nose to the glass. My breath had fogged my view, but I wiped it away with my forearm, staring down at the wagon as it rounded the castle, unmarked and moving toward a servants’ entrance. I’d known it was father finally returning, as no servants would be allowed out at this time of night.
I’d poked my head out my door, glancing up at the guards who smiled down at me, caught in the middle of some conversation I was never supposed to hear. “Could you fetch me some water? My throat feels rather dry,” I had asked.
They’d sighed, but one of the guards had peeled himself away, heading for the kitchens. The other placed his hands behind his back, staring straight ahead. I prepared for the first real performance of my life.
“Hey, what is that shadow down the hall that keeps moving? Is it breathing?” I had gasped.
“What?” The guard followed the direction of my finger.
“There. That shadow. Oh, it’s stopped moving now. Do you think it heard us?” I forced my eyes to go wide, to dredge up the feeling of nervous fear so that it showed in my eyes.
