Page 35 of Heir of Illusion (The Verran Isles #1)
Chapter
Thirty-Five
L eaves crunch beneath my feet as I make my way through the thick forest. The rust-colored silk of my gown catches on every twig and thorn, shredding the hemline to ribbons. It’s not a practical outfit to wear for a stroll through the woods, but I wanted to look my best today.
For Leona.
I carry a bouquet of lilacs with me. Her favorite flowers. The same kind that Della painted for her. I thought about going to MASQ to spend the anniversary with her, but I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome. Besides, she would probably prefer to suffer her grief alone. I loved Leona greatly, but it wasn’t the same as how Della felt about her.
Coming out here seemed like a good way to honor the late queen. This forest is one of the few places that is evenly split between the living and the dead. The temperature is always cool here. Most of us assume that has something to do with the spirits who are pulled through these woods on their way to the veil.
But life has its place here too. A fox races across the forest floor, leaping over a tree root as he disappears into a bush. And in a nest above my head, curious eyes peer down at me over their tiny beaks as a group of baby birds wait for their mother to return with breakfast. Death may make its home in these woods, but life has not abandoned this place.
My mouth opens on a wide yawn. For the past five days, I’ve barely slept. I’ve been out at all hours, searching for the blade all over Solmare. I caught glimpses of Remy here and there. By the state of his appearance, I’d guess he’s even more exhausted than I am. Between holding the perimeter and sweeping the city, the soldiers are spread razor-thin. If we don’t find Darby and the blade soon, I fear the city will descend into chaos.
Baylor has given me my space all week, which has been a welcomed reprieve. I haven’t seen Thorne in that time either.
It’s for the best , I tell myself. This is what I wanted.
But is it?
I lock those thoughts away within my mental prison; unfortunately, those walls have developed several cracks of late.
But today isn’t the time for any of those worries.
I come upon a small clearing in the trees, finally reaching my destination. The stone archway sits about six feet off the forest floor with a wide staircase leading up to it. However, the other side, is just a steep drop-off. Anyone who passes through this veil has no need to worry about getting hurt on the way down. Their soul will have departed their body before it even hits the ground.
The veil is a place of mystery. Vines reach from the earth and wrap around it—another example of life mingling with death. Several fractures run along the stones, betraying the age of the structure. Five thousand years ago, when the Fates first created the Gods, in order to end the Novian war, they erected these veils throughout each of the eight isles. Now every time a soul leaves its body, it’s pulled through this archway and welcomed into the afterlife.
Shame fills me as I stare at the spot where Leona died exactly one year ago. Moving toward the base of the stairs, I sink to my knees and place my flowers on one of the steps. Tears slide freely down my cheeks and I make no move to wipe them away.
“You didn’t deserve any of this,” I whisper, praying my words are able to pass through the veil and find her soul on the other side. “I should have listened to you from the beginning, Leona. But I’m going to make him pay for what he did to you. I promise you that. Baylor will suffer for?—”
My words break off as a sharp hit strikes my back, knocking the air out of me. My body tips forward and my hands shoot out to catch myself before I hit the hard staircase. I try to turn around to search for whatever struck me, but the movement causes a horrible burning sensation in my abdomen.
Looking down, I find the pointed tip of a blade protruding from my stomach. My mind tries to process what I’m seeing, but it doesn’t make sense. The pain worsens as my skin begins to burn. Biting my lip against the agony, I twist my head over my shoulder and find the hilt of a dagger lodged in my lower back.
What’s wrong with me? I wonder as fire spreads through my veins. I’ve been stabbed before, and it’s never felt like this.
A moment later, a hard body slams into me. My head bounces against the side of the stone steps, causing the world to spin. I try to roll over, but someone grabs a fistful of my hair and pulls my head back. I scream as the awkward angle sends a shooting pain down my spine. A second later, they smash my head into the stone once more.
Pain radiates through every inch of my body. I try to move, but it’s as if my limbs are being weighed down by something stronger than gravity. They no longer respond to my commands. A dark shape stands over me, and I squint, trying to make out their blurry face.
“You have no idea how long I’ve dreamed of this moment,” a familiar voice says.
He leans down, his face finally close enough for me to make out his features.
Kaldar.
True fear sinks into me as I catch a glimpse of his murderous expression. He’s going to kill me. As if he’s heard my thoughts, his fingers dig into my bicep as he drags me up the stairs. My shoulder joint cries out in pain from the cruel angle.
“I always knew you were nothing but a traitorous whore,” he gloats as my head bounces off each step. “Just like your mother.”
My leg strikes out awkwardly as I try to kick him, but he dodges the blow with embarrassing ease.
“I knew I’d never beat you in a fair fight,” he continues as the pain eats away at my sanity. “But my skill set is much different from yours. You may be strong, but you’re also reckless. Which is why I was smart enough to lace the dagger.”
My gaze settles on Kaldar as his words penetrate the haze. Poison .
“That’s right, Iverson.” He smiles down at me. “I’m not the fumbling idiot you think I am. I can admit my weaknesses and learn from my mistakes. I knew I’d need to plan ahead after things almost went wrong last time. I didn’t expect Leona to put up such a fight. Who knew she had it in her?”
Everything goes still as his words bounce around my skull. My eyes bulge as I stare up at the man who murdered my friend.
He chuckles. “You should see your face. I keep telling you, pet, the king has trusted me with all manners of things. Even the murder of his queen.”
We reach the top of the stairs, and he grabs my shoulders, pulling me to my feet. My back presses into the side of the arch, my gaze flashing toward the edge. Hot blood drips into my eyes, clouding my vision with a red tint.
“He’ll kill you for this,” I whisper, the words sounding slurred.
His thin lips pull into an ugly smile. “What Baylor doesn’t know won’t hurt him.”
He raises his hands to push me over the edge, but I’m faster.
Calling on the rage building within me, I summon the last of my strength. Reaching around, I pull the dagger from my back as a scream tears from somewhere deep within. Fire burns me from the inside out as I plunge the blade straight into Kaldar’s chest.
His eyes widen as he stares down at the protruding hilt.
“You—” he sputters, blood staining his lips.
The edge of the stone digs into my back as I desperately try to keep my balance. I glance at the edge again as the world continues spinning. It’s in that moment that Clara’s words from years ago drift back to me.
Never pass through a lonely stone archway, love. For that way lies only death with no return.
But it’s too late to heed her advice.
Kaldar begins to tip forward, his body knocking into mine. I try to twist, but the ground disappears from under my feet. Suddenly, we’re both tumbling toward the veil.
Toward death.