Page 42 of In The Dark

“I’ll be prepared,” I reply, turning to the other two horses to finish their saddles.

But before I can take another step, he grips my arm as if reluctant to let me go. He quietly studies me for a moment with an expression I can’t quite name. Something that sends a shiver down my spine. My lips part in surprise, as it’s something I don’t expect to feel.

There’s a quiet intensity in his stare that catches my breath, but all I can do is stand there, trying to ignore the heat beneath my skin and the skipping of my pulse. And he hasn’t said a word.

Then he steps into the Veil, leaving me to blink at the space he was just occupying.

Whatever I felt a moment ago left nothing but a world of confusion as I finish up with the horses. Conflicted feelingscontinue to rise—I’m still unsure who to fully trust, regardless of the memories he shared with me.

Regardless of knowing that I’m the princess of Aurelia. All it does is urge me to search for the truth as one question bounces around in my head.

Who am I?

14

Once done gathering the horses,I tie them off at the front of the inn. Ezra and Ren open the door to the building, saying their goodbyes to the innkeeper, who I now know is Ivy in disguise. Giving them a happy, glowing smile, she waves them off, meeting my gaze with a firm nod before slowly shutting the door.

“I see you did something useful for once,” Ren quips as he strides up to pat Myst, his smirk more menacing than it is friendly.

Of all the males in the brotherhood King Elion could send, it’s him. My temper has gotten the best of me recently, the weight of the current events bearing down, so I try not let him get under my skin. Yet I find myself snapping at him.

“Why do you do that?” The sharp words leave my lips before I can stop them. I don’t know what it is about Ren that makes me snap, my calm facade shattering with only a few words.

He halts mid-stride, scarred brow lifting in confusion. “Do what?”

“Are you so bored that you have to constantly undermine people to make yourself feel better? Or is there a deeper reasonyou’re such an ass?” I take a step toward him, eyes narrowing as my frustration bubbles over. “You know, I think you do it so you don’t have to face how sad and lonely you are, like a shield. A protective barrier to hide who you truly are, and it comes out in snide remarks,” I mutter, now standing a foot away. I’m not sure why I say it, but I can’t stop myself. “Am I right, brute?”

His smirk falters for a moment, eyeing me, the cocky mask slipping just enough to reveal that I’ve hit my mark. It’s rare to catch him off guard, but he tears his gaze away from me and places his hands in his pockets. He takes a deep breath, letting out a steady exhale, almost like he’s centering himself.

I watch as he carefully pieces his composure back together, smoothing his face out like a mask slipping into place. Still, I catch the tight clench of his jaw, the only indication that I’ve struck a nerve.

Then he scoffs with a shake of his head, giving me one last glance before turning his attention back to Myst, mounting her without another word.

After last night, I’m not quite sure where my loyalties lie at the moment. I want to do well for the king—be who he created me to be. But after seeing Rydian’s memories, I can’t help but question the king I serve.

I served King Elion all those years like he could do no wrong. Perhaps deep down, I knew something was going on and I chose to overlook it. It’s easier to justify killing someone when you choose to remain hidden from the truth.

“Are you ladies finally ready to go?” I tease.

“You’re not going to eat?” Ezra asks from beside Freya, hazel eyes shimmering in the golden morning light.

“I already ate. I want to arrive in Dryborn this afternoon.” The lie rolls off my tongue. I’m desperate to search for answers within the castle of Alvonia.

Grabbing the pommel, I swing my leg over Bjorn. Rydian’s young gaze catches mine from across the road, and then henods at me. Silent understanding passes between us, even if I still feel as though I’m betraying my brethren. As though I’m being pulled in two directions—two lives.

After I give Bjorn a gentle nudge, we take off at a gallop as Sylvanor fades behind us. Rough wind whips at my face, the shops passing by in a blur as he leads me through the heart of the town.

I begin to wonder how Rydian keeps up with the speed of our horses, figuring it has to do with Veil Walking. He told me it was similar to wearing a cloak—hidden with the ability to jump from one place to another if he wished. The Veil’s time is different from that of the realm, allowing you to walk alongside someone unseen, making them the best spies.

I close my eyes, inhaling the cold, brisk air straight into my lungs. My cloak dances behind me as Bjorn picks up speed, shooting us further into the valley.

After a few hours of pushing the horses, we finally slow our pace to a steady walk on the mountainside, overlooking the hills and rocky terrain. What was sunny earlier is now a darkened sky, the air coated in a soft mist as water dews on the shoulders of my cloak. High into the altitude, Dryborn comes into view, but we’re still hours away from arriving.

Something brushes against the edges of my mind, similarly to when I experienced Rydian’s memories. This time, it catches me off guard, as it’s sharp and jolting, like ice across my forehead. As if someone is pushing my head into a frozen river.

“I really wish I had a horse right now,”Rydian groans, suddenly appearing in the depths of my mind. A gasp slips from my lips at the sudden intrusion, causing Ezra to turn around with pinched brows.

“A branch hit me,” I say with a small smile. He mindlessly faces forward again, Ren a couple hundred feet ahead.