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I glanced back at him, my gaze as hard as the stone walls of the chamber. “I will not fail, Your Highness.”
And with that, I stepped out of the room, the captain close behind me. I said nothing as we walked, letting the silence speak for me. My thoughts churned, considering paths and possibilities.
Our footfalls echoed through the desolate halls until we reached the armory. Methodically, I gathered weapons and provisions, each item placed with care, precision, and menace.
The captain lingered in the doorway, uncertainty rolling off him in waves. He wet his lips nervously, as if tasting the words before daring to speak them out loud.
“The girl…” His voice petered off as if he was afraid of its sound.
I cut him off with a look that could have sliced stone. “You know nothing of her.”
As I slid abidog, a short sword, into my belt, the familiar weight grounding me, I made a silent vow. I had killed for Prys many times before. But never had an order filled me with such a purpose. Beth would be safe, shielded from the chaos, as she should have been from the very beginning. No matter the cost.
The man’s gaze darted to my movements, the spike in his aura signaling his growing fear. He retreated a step, swallowing audibly.
“Bleddyn,” he began, his voice tremulous, “surely we can—”
I turned to face him, letting the rage in my eyes show. “We should go. Time is of the essence.”
Chapter fourteen
BETH
Mypulsethunderedinmy ears as I crashed through the underbrush. The snap of every twig made my heart lurch, certain it was the vicious hounds.
I brushed the tears away that kept streaming from my eyes. Now was not the time for a nervous breakdown, no matter how much I deserved one after watching Than fall, defending me to his last breath.
Without him, I was lost and so damn alone. What chance did I have to survive out here? The morning twilight made it easier for me to run, but predators could soon follow me by sight.
A gust of wind set the trees rustling, and I flinched, stumbling over an exposed root. Branches clawed at my arms, my legs, but I pushed forward. Than had died, so I’d have a chance. I had to keep going. For him.
My breath came in ragged gasps as I took a break, leaning against a towering elm. Its bark was smooth under my palms, solid and real.Focus on what’s in front of you. One step at a time.
I set off again, my feet finding a path through the tangle of roots and vines. The forest closed in around me, swallowing me like a green mouth. But the baying of the dogs and the shouts of the guards grew fainter. Somehow, they’d lost my scent.
I didn’t slow down, even though my body begged me to stop. But I still had a chance, and I was going to take it, one step at a time.
As Than always said, “No point fretting in advance.” Stupid Dutch.
And there were the waterworks again, but this time, I refused to wipe away the tears. I didn’t want to forget his brown eyes shining with affection. The way he’d put himself between the guards and me. The cold would have killed me for sure if not for him.
I ran until I couldn’t run anymore. Then I walked until my legs refused to carry me any further. That’s when I finally broke down and sobbed into my hands. Than was gone. Daeary had left me behind. Bleddyn had chosen his liege lord over me, despite his promises.
And yet I missed them desperately, my chest hurting with so much more than my wheezing lungs.
I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes again, the light filtering through the treetops was strong and bright.
Something large moved nearby, and I gasped, immediately smothering the sound with my hand. In my exhaustion, I’d forgotten this was not a harmless forest, but a Fae wilderness, full of monsters that would love a bite out of me.
My muscles ached all over, but I struggled back to my feet. A spider had found a home in my hair, and when I brushed it off, it threw out a web to stay on my body. Shuddering, I brushed myself down, praying nothing worse clung to me. Insects freaked me out at the best of times, and especially here. What if Faerie insects were poisonous? Just gross.
Last time I’d been stuck in a forest, I’d found a stream and followed it. That’s how I’d met Bleddyn. But would it work again? Every tree, every brush, looked the same. I could be walking in circles and never know it.
Ahead, a dead stump looked familiar. I could have sworn I’d passed it twice already. But when I stepped around it, there was a curtain of thick, fleshy creepers I didn’t remember.
Beyond the vegetation, a clearing was blanketed in lush green. I pushed through the vines, their scarlet leaves brushing my cheek. Between the leaves, pale pink blossoms trembled on slender stalks. Where the plants touched me, my skin tingled pleasantly.
Curious, I stepped into the clearing and found myself in a patch of knee-high leaves, much like the pumpkins in my dad’s garden. I reached out with my mind, probing the plant, and recoiled with a gasp.
