Page 39 of The Broken Prince

“I said, forget it.”

His eyes contained his annoyance, the kind that wanted to burst into an explosion.

“We’re going to return to HeartHolme. We’ll decide what to do then.”

Ian said nothing, but his anger was so strong it was heavy in the air.

“Come on.” I moved to Storm, ready to climb up and fly away now that the darkness had descended.

“Whatever you say…Your Majesty.”

* * *

We returned to HeartHolme, the long journey taking us the entire night. By the time we arrived, it was dawn, the sunlight slowly stretching across the earth and casting long shadows. I was relieved that it was exactly as we’d left it, that nothing had transpired in my absence. I hoped the same was true for Delacroix.

But once we came closer, I realized something was different.

More guards were along the walls, at least ten times the usual number.

I looked at Ian as he sat upon his dragon.

He felt my stare and looked back at me. “I see it too…”

“Hurry, Storm.”

Despite the long journey, he picked up speed and descended on HeartHolme, landing much harder than usual because speed was more important than safety. I removed my bindings and dropped down, not waiting for Ian as I jogged to the main gate.

The door swung open for me, a slow creak because the stone slabs were so heavy, and I moved through the crack between the doors, Ian catching up to me. Once we were inside, we saw all the soldiers, fully armed to the teeth.

A soldier passed in front of me, and I grabbed him by the arm and yanked him toward me. “Why is HeartHolme armed for war?”

He didn’t look me directly in the eye, as if he feared me. “Delacroix was attacked, Your Majesty.”

My fingers loosened on his arm, and the world suddenly became blurry. An invisible poison entered my veins and paralyzed my thoughts and my movements. It was too horrible to confront, the realization that I’d left my family when they needed me…again.

“Huntley!” Mother appeared at the top of the hill, the terror in her face confirming the truth.

Ian released a heavy breath. “Fuck…”

We both ran up to her, getting to the top of the rise that led to the city. I didn’t say a word as I faced her, not knowing where to start, what to ask. “Mother…” It was all I could get out, too scared to ask if Delacroix had survived the attack…if my family had survived.

“I just got this letter from Harlow.” She unrolled the parchment and held it out to me.

With shaky hands, I kept it open while Ian read over my shoulder. In a hurried scribble was my daughter’s message.

Father,

Delacroix was attacked by foes I can only describe as monsters. A fissure opened in the surface of the earth, and at first, I assumed it was just an earthquake, but we suspect that’s where they came from.

We were the victors in the battle, but barely, and only because we were lucky. Many lives were lost…

I’m unharmed, but Mother is really hurt… Pyre took her to Minora to see their healer, getting her away from the battle because she was in no position to fight or lead. Atticus is injured as well and hasn’t woken.

Please return as soon as you receive this.

“Fuuuuucccccckkkkkkk.” I crumpled the parchment in my closed fist and dropped to my knees. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” I slammed my hands into my chest plate over and over, hurting my hands and bruising my chest in the process. “By the fucking gods!”

Mother was silent as she stood there, having no words of comfort for such a tragedy.