Page 37 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses (Cursed Fae Courts #1)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Aurelia

R ydian met me in the hall. I kept my back straight as I strode past him toward my room, my heart thudding wildly as I thought through my options. Leaving this place was going to be tricky. Getting out undetected with all the soldiers who patrolled or kept watch felt nearly impossible. But even if I managed it, there was still the matter of where I’d go.

Aside from Grey Oak, Lightshore—the Spring Court—was the only realm who’d ever been remotely friendly to my kingdom. And they were clear on the other side of Sevanwinds. I’d have to pass through Rosewood or veer up into the Broadlands to get there, and I had no doubt both were crawling with Obsidians by now.

The Osphiris might take me in, but unless I grew gills, it wasn’t exactly a viable option, no matter what the mer tried to say. Half of them probably only wanted to eat me for dinner anyway, and the other half were entirely uninterested in the problems of the surface.

The Moriori Islands were a possibility, though I’d have to make it out to the western coast and find passage on a ship, all without being recognized. Still, if I could get there, I’d at least have asylum. The Moriori were pacifists, which meant I’d be safe with them. It also meant I’d be among people who would never agree to fight or become an ally in this war.

And I’d have to get past the Rada people to make it across the sea at all. From the stories I’d heard, they were ruthless and violent with ships that could travel twice the speed of any other.

The Midnight Court loomed as a last resort, though I hardly even counted it as that. As mysterious as it was dangerous, the Midnight Court was a realm unto its own. Darkness hung over it like a veil, and no fae who ventured inside uninvited ever made it out again.

Besides, they’d ignored the Concordians. Done nothing to save them. I couldn’t ally with people like that.

My thoughts drifted to Vorinthia. There was nothing there, not officially. No kingdom or army or ally to help me. But Lesha had gone there. And Amanti before her—or, at least, she’d said she was. My heart tugged at me to follow.

Lost in these thoughts, I stormed through the castle, each step pounding out the frustration building inside me. Rydian kept his distance, apparently done helping me or even pretending to be my friend. His silence felt like salt in the wound, but I refused to be the one to go to him.

So, I kept walking. And thinking. A moment later, the sound of boots echoed behind me.

“Aurelia,” Callan called.

I didn’t bother to stop.

“Aurelia, wait.” He jogged to catch up, and I forced myself to face him, keeping my temper—and magic—in check. “How did it go?”

I stared at him, noting his casual tone. Like I wasn’t being kept here as a prisoner waiting to be drained of my magic. “Do you mean how did it go when your father threatened me because you told him I have powerful magic?”

Guilt flickered, along with something almost like regret in his eyes. “I shouldn’t have let you face him alone.”

“You shouldn’t have tricked me into this to begin with,” I snapped.

Callan winced, his jaw tightening. “I had no choice. I’m fighting for my people, same as you.”

My people. I’d brought that on myself.

I laughed, bitter and low. “Fighting? Is that what you think you’re doing?”

“You might not like my methods, but I’m only doing what I must to save us.”

“Please. This isn’t about saving anyone but yourself.”

He stepped closer, his eyes pleading, but I held my ground. “That’s not true. You’re more than just a political match to me.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. I’m your resource , Callan. Nothing more.”

His expression faltered. “We just need to get through the party. The other courts already know you’re Autumn now. When they see us united, they will pledge their armies. And my father will realize your value.”

My value.

I wanted to claw his tongue out.

Instead, I offered him a tight smile, nodding as though I agreed. “Of course.”

The Broadlands then. I’d go into the only place not ruled by any court. The only place where no one could try to drag me back here. I’d be gone before the gods-damned party even started. And when the day came for Callan to show the realm who stood beside him, he would find himself standing alone.

Oblivious to my plans or my dark mood, Callan left with the promise of dinner together. Ignoring Rydian, who stood down the hall, I slipped into my room only for Beryl to enter a moment later. She set a tray of tea out, but I ignored her, wandering to the balcony to look out over the grounds.

A harsh clink of porcelain had me turning back again, irritation flaring.

Beryl didn’t seem to notice as she poured tea and added honey.

Without looking up, she tossed over her shoulder, “Perhaps some fresh air would do you good.”

“Excuse me?”

She straightened, her expression a mask of helpfulness. “A walk in the garden, maybe? Among the trees, where you can think clearly.”

A walk in the garden? The suggestion felt too perfect, too timed. I narrowed my eyes at her, suspicion curling in my gut. Beryl had been handpicked by Callan. What if she was spying for him? Nudging me along and hoping to catch me using the magic Callan was convinced I was holding back.

“No, thank you,” I said coldly. “I’m fine.”

Beryl hesitated, a flicker of something—nervousness, maybe—crossing her face. “Your Highness, I only want to help.”

I forced a smile, though it felt like a mask slipping. “I said I’m fine. You’re dismissed.”

She gave a tight nod, her hands clasped in front of her, but her gaze lingered on me a second too long before she finally turned and left. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, I snarled.

The tension inside me needed an outlet. I changed as quickly as I could, cursing the laces on the dress that made it nearly impossible to get out of without help. Finally, I pulled it loose and yanked on my pants and tunic then shoved my feet into my boots.

Marching across the room, I let out a sharp breath and flung the door open.

Rydian eyed me, arms crossed like he’d been waiting for me all along.

“I need to get out of here,” I blurted, my voice sharper than I’d meant it to be.

He didn’t hesitate. “Come on.”

I grabbed my cloak and hurried to keep up.

Rydian led the way through the quiet halls of the castle, moving swiftly. We barely passed anyone at all, and the people we did see were servants who kept their eyes averted. Rydian greeted them all with murmurs of hello, but whether fearful of him or caught unaware, none of them dared say a word to me.

Finally, we slipped outside, the cold afternoon air hitting my face like a slap. But I welcomed it.

At the stables, the scent of hay and leather filled the air. In the third stall, Shadow whinnied at the sight of me. My spirits lifted as I spotted the familiar horse.

Rydian spoke to a stable hand, who immediately began to saddle Shadow for me.

When he’d readied his own horse, Rydian led them both out and handed me Shadow’s reins, his fingers brushing mine. My breath caught, but I swung myself into the saddle before he could see my reaction.

“Where to?” he asked as he mounted.

“Anywhere but here,” I said, my heart pounding with the thrill of it.

I kicked the horse into a gallop, Rydian following close behind. We tore through the fields under the cloud-heavy sky, and for the first time in days and days, I felt free.