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“Okay…let’s say that it is breakable. Do you know what will happen as soon as you attempt to break the chain?”

“Yes.” I nod. “The amulet is designed to suppress your magic. You can’t access your powers while it is around your neck. The amulet is also designed to strike back if someone attempts to remove it. It will strike at me, possibly at us both simultaneously.”

“That’s right. I have attempted to remove it numerous times.

I have almost been strangled to death each time.

Because I am the wearer, it stops just short of taking my life.

It would not be so lenient with you, Alaric.

You would be struck down by a bolt of magic.

Your heart will stop. You will die in an instant. Are you willing to risk your life?”

Fear sparks through me, but I push it down. I would rather die than remain here. A slave to the fae.

McColl

Why am I trying to dissuade him?

If this human wants to risk his life to free me, I should let him. I should accept his offer and attempt an escape. I am headed for the mines, anyway. At this point, just like him, I have nothing to lose. I won’t last long below ground. Yet here I am, trying to put him off.

I’m an idiot.

It’s that simple.

Alaric pulls in a deep breath, his broad chest expanding. His blue eyes narrow in thought. His jaw tightens as he runs through his crazy plan and all the risks attached to it.

“It is a risk I am willing to take. They’re sending me back into the shafts. The mines are heavily guarded. My chances for escape would be nonexistent. I won’t get a break like this again. It’s rot and die down there or die in an escape attempt. I’m fast…I’ll take my chances.”

“A bolt of magic would be faster. You would be struck down. You will die.” I need to shut my mouth already.

“But you would be free,” he tells me. “You’d be able to use your magic…to heal me. To bring me back?” He lifts his brows.

I should lie.

I really should, but I can’t!

“I don’t know if that would be possible.

I’m not the most powerful witch.” I shrug, feeling shame burn my cheeks.

“I have plenty of power, but struggle to access it. I don’t know why that is.

I come from a long line of powerful witches.

” I shrug again and sigh. “I can promise to try to bring you back, but I don’t know if I would succeed.

You would be gambling with your life…and mine.

” I’m not sure I would even be able to get us through the barrier.

I won’t tell him that. He won’t have any use for me.

Truth is, I’m used up.

I’ve always been weak, but now I’m…I’m pathetic.

“I’m willing to take the risk if you are,” he says. “It needs to happen during the eclipse tomorrow, just after noon.”

My eyes widen. “We use the power surge to mask the release of magic as my amulet is removed.” I sound animated as I finger the piece of jewelry.

“Yes.” Alaric nods, his eyes glinting. “It’s the Feast of the Shadow Moon. The whole Court will be assembled to watch the spectacle. The mead and mulled wine will be flowing. It’s the perfect opportunity to escape. My last chance. Perhaps yours, too?”

My heart sinks. “Except I won’t be in attendance. My quota has been far below the required amount for some time now. I will be expected to work the whole day. I won’t be able to attend the feast.”

“Fake illness,” Alaric says.

I shake my head. “They wouldn’t care. I would still be expected to work…even half dead.”

“Offer to work on your rest day.”

I choke out a humorless laugh. “I haven’t had a rest day in the longest time.” I put my hand over my mouth to cover a wide yawn.

He frowns. “How can that be possible? Even the mineworkers get a rest day every six or seven sun-cycles.”

“I’m not making quota. If I skip so much as a day, I’ll end up in the mines.

Right now, I’m facing being sent there regardless of what I do.

” I look down at my lap. At my hands clasped there.

“I want to try, Alaric. You say it’s your last chance; well, this could be my last chance, too.

Let me worry about getting out of work. Where will I meet you? What will I need to bring?”

We spend the next few minutes going over the details.

I scrub a hand over my face. “The others were right; this plan is full of holes. I should kick you out on your ear.”

Alaric gives me a half smile. “But you won’t?” He lifts his brows.

“No. Unlike the others, I don’t have much to lose. If we succeed in removing the amulet, what then?” I ask, my voice low.

Alaric’s gaze meets mine, filled with a glimmer of something that looks very much like hope.

“We’ll need to be quick and make a run for it.

There’s a hidden path through the forest behind the castle.

It leads away from the Court. I will have two steeds ready; they’ll have some basic supplies, including food.

I’ll help you get back to your coven. I swear it.

All you have to do is get us out and keep them from tracking and finding us.

Once we’re out, we’ll have to rely on each other to survive. ”

I’m not sure I have what it takes to get us out. Let alone the rest of it.

I’m not sure of anything.

Survive. The word lingers in the air, heavy with uncertainty and possibility. I feel a sliver of excitement, which I push down. We have a long way to go before getting to that point.

I shake my head. “I’m not the most powerful witch, Alaric, but I will do my best every step of the way. I don’t want to be sent to the mines.” I wouldn’t last very long at all.

I will use my power to bring Alaric back. To heal him. I know he thinks that he is fast and strong, but I know better: he will be struck. He will more than likely succumb to his injuries.

We are gambling with his life…mine, too. I can do it. I have to. He is willing to take the risk; we both are. That’s all that counts right now.

“More holes than in cheese,” I mutter to myself as I think through all that Alaric has said. This is madness.

“I happen to love cheese.” He grins, standing.

I crane my neck, having to look up and up. At least if we make it out into the desolate, barren landscape, I will have something pretty to look at. I take in his broad shoulders and his stubbled chin as he looks down at me. That ever-present glint of mischief is in his eyes.

“I’m all in,” Alaric says as I stand.

My quarters are so small that we’re almost touching. He is a big, strong man.

“Me, too,” I whisper, my eyes firmly on his. I know the risks, but the thought of freedom tugs at something deep within me.

I can do it.

I can.

“I’ll see you tomorrow next to the old bell tower just before the eclipse.” He lifts his brows.

“I’ll be there.”

Alaric nods, and then he turns and leaves. My gut is churning. I feel sick to my stomach, but for the first time in months…for the first time in what feels like forever, I am smiling. My face feels like it could crack open it’s so wide.