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I chuckled and settled back into my pillow. “I bet you’ll be able to request any treat your heart desires,Your Highness.”

“You will, too,” Briar said. “We will finally be able to go out and explore and meet people and be a part of a pack...” She sighed. “It’s going to be great, Calla.”

“With Nero’s aid, we’ll be able to save Olmdere,” I murmured, feeling sleep tugging me under.

“That too.” Briar chuffed. “You and me, we’ll take over the continent... so long as we can eat some spun sugar treats first.”

“Agreed.” I nuzzled my face deeper into the feather pillow, feeling my sister’s warmth behind me radiating through the duvet. As my heavy eyes shut, I smiled. She was trying to cheer me up, and it was working. Sorrow mixed with exhilaration, and I fell asleep dreaming of a new promised adventure.

Five

The glowing dawn bled into the darkness as the stars blinked out of the sky. My head pounded. I was never drinking wine again. We only drank on special occasions, and last night had been overly extravagant. I scowled at my sister. Briar somehow looked fresh-faced and buoyant while I looked as haggard as I felt.

I pulled my traveling cloak tighter around my neck. The guards raced about, hitching the horses to the carriages. Their faces were sleep-addled, but they moved at great speed, seemingly less affected by the many drinks and little sleep.

Vellia clasped her hands as I stared down at the dusty front steps. This would be the last time I would ever stand here. I tried to remember every detail, every scent and sound, pressing each sense into my memory so I could hold on to them. This day had felt so far in the distance, and then suddenly it was upon us—there was no in-between.

Vellia squeezed my elbow as if knowing all the aching parts of me warred between excitement and sadness. I didn’t know how to say goodbye to her. Tears welled as I watched the guards load our bags. Grae and Briar chatted at the front carriage, my sister breezy as ever, while I tried to keep tears from falling.

“Oh, you.” Vellia chuckled, even though her voice was tightas well. She gripped my cheeks in her weathered hands and promised, “I will see you again one day, my dear. Take heart in that.”

I nodded, blinking back tears. How far away would “one day” be?

“Don’t live out your years with your tail between your legs.” Vellia leaned closer, pinning me with a look. “Whatever it is you want from this life, Calla, I hope you have the stubbornness to take it.”

“What if I don’t know what I want?” Staring at her, I pressed my lips together so tightly I was certain they had turned white.

“Then I pray you have the courage to look deeper.” Her pale gray eyes roved my face. “That will be a harder challenge than swinging any sword.”

Vellia had always been loving, but hard. She’d trained me to be a warrior with the same fervor she’d trained Briar to be a princess. My appreciation for that now bubbled out. Briar’s tittering laughter filled the air as I wrapped my arms around Vellia, giving her one last hug.

“I’ll try,” I whispered. “Be well, Vellia.”

“Be brave, my dear.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my shoulders straightening as I marched down the stairs. It was time to prove my worth to my pack.

A shadow appeared over me. “You okay, little fox?”

I lifted my wet lashes to find those gleaming brown eyes. “Yes.”

Grae’s lips curved. “Liar.” He lifted his knuckle and wiped a stray tear from my face. My cheeks burned. I hadn’t realized I’d been crying. “I’m sorry you have to leave your home. I hope you’ll be happy in our new one.”

Our.

Grae’s heavy stare weighed on me.

Briar stuck her head out of the open carriage window. “Calla, let’s go,” she said, straightening the hood of her cloak.

I noticed the golden door of the carriage in front of us waiting ajar. “You’re not riding with us?”

“Briar said you got little sleep last night. It’s a long journey to Damrienn. You two should rest,” Grae said, pausing when I didn’t reply. “Unless... you’d like to ride with me?”

My heart faltered at his question. A whole coach ride with just the two of us. I was about to open my mouth to agree when Briar popped her head out of the carriage door again.

“Cal, come on,” she demanded.

I rolled my eyes. It would’ve been a terrible idea, anyway. I felt embarrassingly out of control around him, and now I wouldn’t have the wine to blame.