Page 31 of A Queen’s Betrayal (Legends of Worldbinders #1)

Arenna was the last to wake, savoring the warmth and softness of the small mattress in Kleo’s tavern after spending the last week sleeping on the forest floor. She was grateful for the rest but knew she’d never take a bed for granted again.

She dressed in the clothes Kleo had provided, surprised they fit perfectly. Simple but clean—black leather pants and a white tunic that even smelled of vanilla.

A plate of eggs and salted meat had been left for her on the table, and Arenna devoured it in minutes. Outside, she found a spigot and washed her face and hands in the cold water, the chill biting into her skin.

She rubbed her eyes, as if that could push away the lingering exhaustion. She’d slept horribly last night, her mind refusing to shut off after what she’d learned. Every time she closed her eyes, she thought of the Fae in her former home—enslaved, tormented, imprisoned.

And she had just left them behind.

Arenna could hardly stomach the realization that her people had been enslaved for centuries, bowing to the feet of the Fae.

And now, Jaksen was carrying out similar horrors.

It didn’t seem to be to the same extent as in the First Years , but he was still doing it.

And she had stood beside him, parading in front of crowds and following him like an obedient pet.

It was enough to make her sick.

“Ye ready?” Kleo asked.

Arenna nodded slowly. Though she was, her throat had been tight all morning, her heart aching. Today would be her last day with Koltin. “It’s hard,” she said, swallowing the emotion in her throat, “to leave him.” Their gazes shifted to the commander, prepping his mare.

“I know that pain all too well, lass. Koltin left for Brookworth when he was just a lad, followin’ in our father’s footsteps, wantin’ to make somethin’ of himself. But he’s strong. He knows how to survive.”

“I lost my sister a few weeks ago,” Arenna whispered. “Koltin and Isabella are the only family I have left now.”

“News of yer sister reached the port this mornin’,” Kleo said, placing a hand on her arm. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine that pain.”

She offered a grim smile. “It hasn’t been easy.”

Though Faylen danced through her thoughts, Arenna’s stomach dropped at the news that her sister’s death had reached Smeeds. It sank even further when she thought of Jaksen’s rage, what he might be doing, or how he might be searching for her.

“I’m sure it hasn’t. And in case ye were worried, I have no business helpin’ the Serpent King, nor would I ever betray my brother. Yer secret is, and always will be, safe with me.”

Arenna dipped her chin, eyes burning. “Thank you, Kleo.” A knot formed in her stomach.

She hadn’t realized until last night how much danger Kleo was in for harboring and helping a runaway queen.

Her job alone could get her hanged for treason, but aiding Jaksen’s runaway wife?

She didn’t want to imagine what kind of horror he’d unleash on the barkeep.

“Everything okay?” Koltin asked, glancing between his sister and Arenna as he strolled over.

“Fine,” Arenna blurted, unable to meet the ocean-blue eyes studying her.

“I have to get going,” Koltin whispered, his voice cracking. Wrapping a hand around her shoulders, he pulled Arenna into his chest. “You’ll be okay.”

Arenna’s knees wobbled. She wasn’t ready for him to leave, wasn’t ready to be alone in a world she barely knew anymore. But Koltin needed protection too, and the only way to offer that was to make sure he got back to Brookworth on time.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she said, “Thank you for everything. I owe my life to you and Isa.”

“Never thank me,” he mumbled into her hair, kissing it softly. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” The two friends embraced, knowing it could be for the last time. “Kleo will take you straight to the docks, and you’ll set sail for Alaraine with Kayson. He’ll get you somewhere safe.”

“And when the castle is secure, you and Isa will escape. No matter how long it takes,” Arenna added.

He nodded, though his features were sad, as if he did not believe such a thing was possible.

“Remember, Ren, everyone on that ship is an enemy, no matter who they are. Don’t reveal anything about yourself.

When you get to Vlazias, you get a new name and a new identity.

You have to disappear.” He placed a comforting hand on her cheek.

“Arenna Steele died the second she left that castle.”

Her throat tightened, and her eyes burned as she nodded. As simple as it sounded, Arenna wondered if she could really bury the past and start anew—or if Jaksen would always find a way to follow. The shadow of him lingered even in moments like this, refusing to let her fully breathe.

Still, Arenna managed a smile for the one person who had never failed her. “Get back safely,” she whispered.

Koltin pulled her into a tight embrace, and she held on—longer than she meant to. She pressed her face into his shoulder, locking in the familiar scent of honey and leather, memorizing the solid warmth of him, the quiet steadiness he’d always carried.

The world had changed. Everything had changed. But this—this— this was something she didn’t want to lose.

Koltin pulled back, his hands lingering on her shoulders as he searched her face. “Find your happiness, Ren. And when you do—for Seven’s sake—don’t ever let it go.”

Her lip trembled. Arenna gave a small nod, too choked to speak at first. “I won’t,” she finally said, her voice breaking.

He hesitated to let her go, and Arenna swore her heart cracked when he finally did. Koltin turned and hugged his sister goodbye, his expression tight with emotion, then mounted Solaris with practiced ease.

Arenna stood frozen, her arms wrapped around herself as he rode down the street. His figure grew smaller with each step of the horse, until all that was left was the sound of hooves fading into the distance.

She didn’t try to stop the tears this time. Because letting go—even of someone who was still alive—was its own kind of mourning.

After Koltin disappeared entirely from view, she turned from the dust cloud in his wake, wiping her eyes on the sleeves of her tunic. Though her chest felt hollow and torn, Arenna took a deep breath.

Their plan was in motion, and this was the next phase. She needed to focus on getting to the ship, getting on board, and making her way to the Fae Kingdom.

“We should get going,” Kleo said. “Captain Danny waits for no one.”

* * *

Brookworth’s red and silver flags whipped in the breeze. Arenna stood on the dock, loose strands from her braid dancing with the wind.

Before her stretched a vast expanse of infected water. The Rot from the land ended at the beaches and had begun seeping into the ocean years ago. Black, web-like lines snaked across the surface, and Arenna wondered how long it would be until the festering darkness swallowed the sea as well.

She didn’t like wondering what Rot-made beasts lurked beneath the surface either, or how close they might come to the ship.

Arenna shivered at the thought and turned away from the black-blue water.

As both Brookworth’s and Varios’s main hub for trade, Smeeds never lacked vibrancy in its cargo or its crewmen.

Massive ships bobbed beside her, water sloshing against their hulls, their towering masts reaching into the blue sky with white sails wrapped and secured by thick ropes.

Arenna breathed in the briny air, letting her eyes drift closed. She focused on the sounds—carts wheeling past, the grunts and shouts of crewmen unloading cargo.

Nearby, children laughed, and women giggled. Hopefully, these would be her final moments in Smeeds and on Varios. And—for whatever reason—she wanted to remember every detail.

When her eyes opened, she spotted Kleo on the deck of a ship called the Hadley , speaking with a man whose skin was bronzed by sun and sea.

Based on his choice of clothing alone, Arenna assumed was the captain.

He stood tall and proud, his shoulders filling out a burgundy velvet coat, its cuffs and collar adorned with gold braids and filigree.

His black trousers were tucked into tall boots that reached his knees, with a dark cloth wrapped around his forehead, his braided hair pulled into a low bun at the nape of his neck.

Koltin’s sister made her way down the ramp, Captain Danny in tow. Arenna straightened, smoothed her borrowed clothes, and took a deep breath. Time to play another role, another part—something she was good at. He was her only plan, and if he refused her, she wouldn’t know what to do.

“Iris,” Kleo said, extending a hand to her. “This is Captain Danny. He’ll be the one seein’ ye to Alaraine. Should be a little less than three weeks journey, or just about dependin’ on weather.”

“Thank you for granting me passage, Captain,” Arenna said with a bright smile. He gave nothing in return, his face stone-cold. Handsome for his age, though the years had caught up to him. Wrinkles and fine lines crossed his skin, gray scattered through his braids and beard.

Danny studied Arenna, his eyes slowly moving over her face, her body—inspecting her like she was an artifact in a cathedral. “Well, we haven’t got all day. Load up,” he finally said. He winked at Kleo before heading back up the ramp and disappearing onto the deck.

Arenna released a shuddered, painful breath.

When no one was around, Kleo patted Arenna’s right hip. “If anyone gives ye trouble, don’t be afraid to use that. Be brave.”

“I will.” She wouldn’t mention that there wasn’t a bone in her body that felt brave.

“Best be goin’, lass.” Kleo brushed off Arenna’s shoulders.

“Thank you for everything, Kleo. I’ll find a way to repay you someday,” Arenna promised. “May the Seven be with you.”

Kleo simply shook her head and nudged the former queen toward the ramp. “Safe journeys, lass. I hope ye find whatever it is yer lookin’ for. Should ye ever find yerself back in Smeeds, I’ve got plenty of ale on tap.”

Arenna smiled. “I’d like that very much.” She turned and headed up the rickety boat ramp, her fingers trembling against the rope railing, stomach plummeting.

Her eyes found Kayson near the front of the ship, laughing and conversing with a few fellow crewmates. She cursed quietly to herself, hating how easily she seemed to find him in crowded spaces without even looking.

Turning away from him and instead to the ocean, Arenna sighed. She would no longer walk on Varios soil, no longer be queen of a kingdom, no longer rule over humans.

She was just Arenna now—a woman looking for a normal life.

In the enemy’s kingdom.

On the enemy’s continent.

With a rare, ancient, elemental power in her veins.