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“Everything will be fine. I just have to play the part,” she repeated to herself for the hundredth time. Maybe this time she would believe it.
Arkimedes’s voice carried through the floorboards as he called to her from downstairs. He’d been on edge ever since they’d woken up before sunrise and gone over the details of their plan. A plan that sounded completely ridiculous, given how awkward she became when she was nervous.
Even Arkimedes hadn’t seemed convinced it was a good idea, so why should she be? It wouldn’t surprise her if he changed his mind and demanded that she stay behind while he took care of the rest with Devon.
Nava handed the letter to Leela, who’d been waiting by the bedroom door. “Are you sure it’s not too much trouble to take this to the post?”
“Not at all. It’s near the house, and I’m glad to help.”
When they arrived the night before, the first thing on her mind had been Cameron. What would happen to him if things went awry and disaster struck? She could have lost her life in the fight with the Zorren and he would never have known.
Nava had no home to return to on Grey Island, even if they succeeded—because she’d freed their prisoner and that would never be forgiven.
So she poured the truth about everything that had happened onto pages.
When her parents died, she’d promised Cameron the truth. Her little brother deserved that much, and the situation was dangerous enough now that, if she died, she wanted him to know what had happened. In the end, Cameron would never forgive her if she’d kept it all from him.
Leela tightened the strings of her tunic around her neck. It was the same color as Nava’s, a deep shade of green that brought out the blue hue of her friend’s eyes.
Nava reached inside her coat pocket and grabbed the sun stone. Its warmth seeped through her cold, clammy fingers, lending her some strength to move forward. At least she had this small piece of Ari coming with her.
Devon and Arkimedes were waiting for her outside the shop. Both leaned against the wall, talking in hushed voices as they watched the fae pass up and down the busy street. Arkimedes’s eyes settled on her as she exited the building, and Nava’s heart jolted, butterflies flying in her stomach as she took in his handsome features. The chill of the morning did nothing to cool off the heat washing through her body.
“You’ve got everything you need?” he asked, and the intensity behind his eyes told her he was having the same reaction to her.
She nodded. The gentle hum of the sun stone inside her pocket comforted her, even in this dreary weather.
“You won’t return?” Leela asked, locking the door of her shop behind her.
“Not tonight,” Arkimedes answered. He offered Nava the crook of his elbow. “It’s best if we don’t stay with you for long stretches of time. We have imposed for long enough.”
“It’s not a problem, Your Highness. Please come back if you need a place to stay.” Leela bowed, clearly missing Arkimedes’s sharp exhale as he attempted to stop her but wasn’t quite fast enough. “I will deliver the letter, miss. Good luck with what you’re doing tonight.”
“What letter?” he whispered to her as strolled down the wide street.
“I wrote to Cameron. To let him know about what’s happening here…”
“Cameron?” Arkimedes’s brow arched, and he brought his face closer to hers, so Devon couldn’t catch what he said next. “You think it’s safe for him to know you’re here? What if he comes and we’re in the middle of fighting the demons?”
“Well, I don’t know,” she mumbled and focused on their surroundings instead of Arkimedes. Of course, she didn’t want her little brother to come to this kingdom when they were under attack. But what else could she do when she didn’t know what would happen to her next?
If she didn’t do this, what would become of him? While Violet and Gavin had taken him along on their journey, it was too much pressure to expect their friends to care for a teenager indefinitely.
Never mind that he was mature beyond his years—he was her family and responsibility.
“I hope he won’t receive the letter too quickly, and we’ll have some time to deal with this.” She gestured around them. The town was alive with flower carts on the sidewalks, and large carriages pulled up and down the streets by orrus. She’d only ever seen these beasts in the Copper Kingdom, a strange blend between a buffalo and a horse.
Arkimedes nodded. “Even if the worst comes to pass, he won’t be left penniless, Nava.”
“Our old property in Willowbrook is still there, but I don’t think he’ll live there.”
“When I stayed at the castle, I discovered that I inherited a large estate from my mother, and I also have some gold stowed away from my time with the Crows. It’ll be tricky to access right now—but not impossible.”
Nava nodded, tightening her fists as a rush of adrenaline surged through her. Overwhelm didn’t begin to cover how she felt at the thought of leaving Cameron with all that, without him understanding why or how to manage it.
She cleared her throat and focused on the odd behavior the citizens were displaying instead. Why were they all dressed in white and yellow?
“I don’t remember exactly where Cameron is and why he’s there,” Arkimedes admitted, scratching his forehead with his free hand.
