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That meant they couldn’t escape when the train stopped for coal and water. Essie had known the Hadley trains ran only on magical devices. Averett had mentioned it only the night before. “We can still pry the door open and jump—”
“Not at this speed. The fall would most likely kill us.” His tone said it was something he’d already examined and ruled out as a possibility.
Essie let out another long, slow breath. He didn’t need her to come up with ideas. He’d already sorted through all possible actions and settled on a plan. This was, after all, what he’d trained for as Laesornysh. Right now, all he needed from her was to listen. She crawled closer to him and rested her hand on his knee. “What’s the plan?”
“They think these shackles will be enough to stop my magic. They were enough, fifteen years ago, and within the stones of Winstead Palace. But not now. When we stop, I will have enough magic to fight back.”
“That’s wonderful. Then we can—”
“Essie...” He dragged her name out. His expression didn’t look like this was a wonderful revelation. If anything, his tight mouth had turned grim.
“Right. Sorry. Listening.” Essie squeezed her hands together.
“I will only have enough magic for one diversion. It will leave me weak.” He drew in a deep breath, holding her gaze. “That is why, when I cause the diversion, you will escape.”
“But you’ll be coming too, right? We’ll meet up later or...or...” She read the truth in his eyes, the taut line of his mouth. “I’m not leaving you behind.”
“We know who the Escarlish traitors are. When this train stops at the border, we may find out whom the Tarenhieli traitor is. That information is vital to both of our kingdoms. You must escape, no matter what. You cannot risk being recaptured, not even on the chance to save me.” Farrendel’s gaze drilled into her. “Promise me you will escape. Our brothers need to be told, and you are the only one who can tell them.”
She swallowed back her protest, forcing herself to think. He was not simply sending her away, like one of her brothers would have, because she was the helpless female who had to be protected.
His protectiveness played a role, but it wasn’t only that. He was trusting her to be an important part of his plan. It made the most logical sense that he, with his magic, would be the diversion and hold off their attackers. Therefore, the duty to escape with the crucial information fell to her.
He was trusting her to be his fellow warrior in this. To do what needed to be done for the good of both their kingdoms. If she failed to escape, then his sacrifice would be meaningless.
His sacrifice...something inside Essie shook, but she forced it down. “I promise. I’ll escape and give this information to our brothers.”
They would have to act on this side of the border. If she escaped on the Tarenhieli side, the elven towns were much more scattered. She would have farther to go to fetch help, and the elves might not recognize her or help her right away.
At the Escarlish border, she wouldn’t be far from an army outpost, even if it was only a watchtower with a few soldiers stationed there. It would still have a telegraph and fast horses to make sure those stationed there could give warning of an attack. They would recognize their princess and give aid without question.
“I’ll come back for you. In may take a few hours, but I’ll get help at the nearest outpost. I’ll just need you to hang on until then.” She let that thought send strength into her legs, her fingers. She wouldn’t abandon Farrendel for long. Surely he would have enough magic to hold off Lord Bletchly, Mark Hadley, the elven traitor, and whomever else was waiting at the border.
“Essie.” For the first time since they’d started this conversation, Farrendel’s gaze dropped from hers to focus on the floor of the train car. “I do not intend to let them take me alive again.”
For a moment, she could just blink at him. Surely, he didn’t mean...he couldn’t intend to...
But he still wasn’t looking at her, his shoulders tense.
She gripped the front of his shirt, kneeling so close her knees pressed into his leg. “No, Farrendel. No. If you’re captured, we’ll rescue you. I’ll rally both our brothers, and—”
“No.” His gaze whipped up to hers so fast, she had to catch her breath at the intensity. His silver-blue eyes glinted. “No. Do not let them try to rescue me. My father died last time. I could not live knowing my rescue cost your brothers or my brother their lives.”
“But...”
“You said it was my father’s choice last time. Please, Essie. This time, let the sacrifice be my choice. Please.” His gaze fell to the train car’s floor. “I cannot face that torture again, and I cannot let my brother die to rescue me.”
Everything in her ached to argue. To beg him to surrender rather than fight to the death.
But could she ask him to surrender, knowing the agony he’d face? Could she ask him to face torture again for her? Who would demand such suffering from another person?
This was goodbye. Not just while he went off to war. But forever.
“Farrendel...” She tightened her grip on his shirt, then leaned forward and kissed him.
This kiss was tears and desperation. Her hands in his hair. The heat swirling between them. Kissing his mouth, cheek, neck, back to his mouth until she was breathless. From kissing or from swallowing back her sobs, she didn’t know.
When she finally pulled back, it was only to see his eyes. “Please promise me this. That you’ll try to live for me. If there’s a chance you can escape after I’m long gone or you can hold out until I come back with reinforcements, then please try. And if they do capture you, then please survive. I will come for you.”
