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“Then why did you?”
I drew in a deep breath, bracing myself to tell her what I’d kept hidden for so long. “You’re right that I haven’t told youeverything about me. Months ago, I was forced to leave my home in Askeland when the bear king kidnapped my betrothed and threatened to kill her if I didn’t return with the Zavien stone by the winter new moon. When you met me, I was searching for the stone in Malengard, not spying for the king. Though I didn’t find the stone, I found you—the one person with a map?—”
“Wait, you’reengaged?” Raven’s eyes grew wide as she glanced at Kah for confirmation. He nodded solemnly.
Her lips parted in a silent question:Then why did you kiss me?
Because I couldn’t stop myself.
The sound of her heart cracking echoed painfully in my own chest.
I anchored my hands at my sides, suppressing my instinct to reach out to her, to wrap her in my arms. I knew if I didn’t get the truth out now, I never would. “I needed the map you have, to save Lila. But since you couldn’t decipher it, there was no way I could find the stone before the winter new moon. So, I thought if I brought you to Askeland like you asked, your magic could be restored, and the king might grant me more time to find the stone and?—”
“So, you’re basically taking me to Askeland to trade me for your betrothed?” Raven interrupted. The venom in her voice was more potent than the bramble poison.
“Wait, what? No!” This time, I moved to her, but she backed away. Skies, I hated this. “I would never take you there if I thought the king, oranyone, would harm you. I would never do anything to hurt you, Raven. All I know is that the bear king wants the Zavien stone. I don’t know why. I don’t even know what the blazen stone is or what it does—or how it’s connected to your tribe. Honestly, I had no idea your tribe existed before I came to Malengard. I just need the stone to save Lila’s life. That’s it.”
She still wore a wary expression. “I don’t understand—why didn’t you just tell me all this in the beginning?”
“Because the king threatened—” I started to give her all my reasons but stopped. No more excuses. This was my fault, and I deserved the blame for my mistakes. “Because I’m an idiot,” I said with a heavy sigh.
“Well, at least that’s the truth,” she said.
When I noticed my gaze still lingering on her lips, I forced myself to look away. “I’m sorry, Raven. I was wrong not to tell you, but my offer to come to Askeland still stands. Let me help you get your magic back, and in exchange, all I’m asking is for you to help buy me more time to figure out how to save Lila.” I still didn’t know if the king would spare Lila’s life when I arrived back home with an encrypted map instead of the actual stone, but it was the only plan I had. “It’s just that I can’t—” My voice broke then. “I can’t let her die.”
Her eyes softened, but she didn’t say anything.
“Listen,” I said. “Kah and I have to leave here by tomorrow at the latest to get back to Askeland before it’s too late. I know you don’t owe me anything, Raven, but I want you to come with me. To restore your magic, if nothing else. If not, I’ll return alone and do everything I can to stop the king. Either way, it’s your choice and yours alone.”
“Do you have everything?”Kah said.
“I think so.” The bramble forest was pitch dark as I loaded the last bit of food into the pack. It had been a whole day since I’d spoken to Raven, though our argument had replayed in my head a thousand times.
Last night, I’d sent Kah to her with a message that we were leaving for Askeland at sunrise. I’d barely slept, hoping she would change her mind and come with us. But true to her word, she hadn’t shown up. I was going to have to return to Askeland alone.
“Kah, are we doing the right thing?” I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. My desire to return home to Lila was being rivaled by my desire to stay here to protect Raven, even if she wasn’t talking to me. I clenched my fists, fighting against the dueling forces that were threatening to tear me apart.
He sighed, shaking his large head. “I don’t know.”
“I have to go to Askeland,” I said, unsure if I was trying to convince him or myself.
“Yes, you do.”
“But if I leave Raven alone with the Bramblemen and the bowman …” I trailed off. There was no way I could protect both Raven and Lila. If I didn’t go to Askeland, Lila would die. If I didn’t stay in the bramblelands, Raven’s life would be in danger. She might trust the bowman, but I didn’t. He’d admitted to wanting the Zavien stone, and I feared what he’d do to Raven to get it. I hadn’t seen any sign of him since the feast, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t lurking nearby, waiting for me to leave.
Even if Skyler was telling her the truth, then what? The two of them would find the stone and fly home together, and I’d never see her again? Then what would my father say if I arrived back home empty handed? It was all too much to bear.
“I know,” Kah said solemnly like he was reading my dark thoughts.
I slung the pack across my back and picked up my staff—Queen B’kara had graciously returned our weapons and the moonspar. “We go home, then,” I said. I couldn’t delay our travels any longer if we were going to reach Askeland before the remaining sliver of moon vanished. I’d started this journey tosave Lila, and even though I’d be returning without the map or the stone, I wouldn’t fail her.
Before Kah could respond, a tall Brambleman materialized out of the forest in front of us.
Kah and I both tensed before realizing who it was. Queen B’kara had honored her promise to let us leave the bramblelands and had offered to have one of her people lead us to the northeastern border of the forest to the river road. I’d quickly accepted the offer. Though the Bramblemen had turned out to be decently cordial, I had no desire to stay here a minute longer than I had to.
“I’m Yaro,” the Brambleman said, dipping his chin in greeting. I recognized him from our not-so-friendly introduction in the forest a few days ago. He looked like the other guards we’d met with black leather armor, long hair tamed into a thick braid, and a wary expression on his face that made me wonder if he disagreed with the queen’s decision to let us leave the bramblelands. I hoped he was committed to honoring her wishes, nonetheless. It had crossed my mind more than once that I might still be a mouse in the queen’s elaborate trap. Which was why I didn’t plan to let my guard down until the bramblelands were far behind us.
“Are you ready?” Yaro said.
