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Chapter twenty-eight

W hen I got back to my room, my excitement instantly fled as I halted in the doorway at the sight of Ysabel, sitting on the edge of my bed, the jar of Witch's Mace in her hands. Slowly shutting the door behind me, I watched her cautiously.

“Is there something you would like to tell me, Mira?” Ysabel said, eyes on the jar.When I didn't answer, she finally looked up, worry filling her expression, “Why do you have this? Or better yet, how did you get this?” My tongue felt like I had nothing to drink in over a week.

I opened my mouth, hesitating, before saying, “I can’t tell you.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Why not?”

“Because. . .” I almost went to tell her that it was so she wouldn’t get in trouble, but that admittance would implicate her just the same.

“I just can’t.” I finished with a sigh. My heart was pounding out of my chest, and I was trying to figure out how I was going to get out of this while still keeping the jar.

“Mira, whatever you’re planning. . . It doesn’t matter what feelings the king has for you—”

I cut her off, lying right to her face, “I’m not planning anything.”

“Are we not friends?” she asked, hurt filling her face.

“We are—”

“Then I ask that, as my friend, you don’t lie to me as if I’m just any other person around here.”

I dropped my head. She was right—I shouldn’t be lying to her. Of all the people in this kingdom, she was the one that I could count on the most. But I couldn’t let her go down for any of this. Even if it hurt her and our friendship, I had to protect her.

“You’re right, but if you don’t want me to lie, then stop asking me questions that I can’t give you the answers to.”

“Have I not proven myself to you? I’m not like the other women who go around gossiping. Any gossiping I do, is with you. You can trust me with whatever this is for,” she finished, holding up the jar.

“It’s not a matter of trust, Ysabel. It’s a matter of keeping you safe.” There, I said it—in the closest way that I possibly could. “Now please, stop asking about it,” I said, walking up to her and holding out a hand.

She looked up at me, at a loss for words, with what seemed to be a million emotions running through her face.

After a moment, she dropped her head, her mouth forming into a tight line as she placed the jar in my hand.

I wrapped my hand around it, but she didn’t let go of it as she stood up, leveling me with a stare, and said, “Think about your son.” My eyes narrowed on her as she finally let go and walked away.

I was thinking about my son. Aedon was all that I thought about—his memory was the only reason why I continued breathing. He was why I needed to do this.

I blocked out the fight with Ysabel and tried changing out of my dress and corset.

A part of me already regretted her not being here to help me with at least that.

My brain, instead, raced from thoughts of all the signs I’d missed, showing me over and over again that the massive ball of red mist in the pit of my stomach was more than just a need for vengeance.

Whenever I needed strength, speed, anything, I clung to that red mist that had grown after I changed.

My body knew before my mind figured it out.

While it changed the fact that I did seem to have some sort of power, it didn’t change what I needed to do.What now needed to be done tonight. Before I was caught by anyone else, or before Ysabel could tell anyone about the herb.

It was unlikely that she would, but I wasn’t willing to risk this on an unlikely chance of someone doing something. I've been biding my time for far too long, and it left me nearly pouncing out of my skin. But I had to get this right—I wanted to savor this.

Once the sun set beyond the mountains and my weapons were firmly attached to me, I grabbed the cloak and strung it around my shoulders before slipping on leather gloves. With any luck, the guards would all be elsewhere, and I could quickly go from my room to hers.

Walking to the door, I clutched the knob and took a breath—letting the leash on the other being within me loosen ever so slightly. I was going to need her, whoever she was.

The new guard once again perked up when I stepped out. “May I assist you with anything, Miss?” I could faintly make out a waver in his voice. He must be not only new to me but also new to the royal guard.

“No, thank you. I’m only going for a walk,” I said, trying not to let my own nervousness show in my voice. He nodded and drew his gaze from mine to the wall behind me yet again as he stiffened even straighter into position.

Walking to the stairs, there were surprisingly no other guards who were usually posted on the floor. Could it really be this easy? As I made my way down to the second floor, I instantly saw two guards, and my hope dissipated.

Their eyes locked on me, and they watched my every move, forcing me to continue down the stairs to the main floor.

I needed a distraction, and while a part of me thought that distractions weren’t really my strong suit, I knew traps.

This would just be a trap to lure people in, instead of animals or beasts.

After a two quick stops, I made my way outside through the gym exit to be seen taking my walk, utilizing that time to calm my racing heart. There was no use in lying if everyone could hear it.

When I finally came back in, the stairs to the second floor just before me, I threw my acting into high gear—even if there didn't appear to be anyone around. My glove slipped from my fingers and I turned ever so slightly to retrieve it, making me come face to face with my trap as I stood.

On the wall, written in blood from the cold storage in the kitchens, was the only word I could think of. The word that Katryn used to describe me.

FREAK

I let an ear-piercing scream rip from my throat and stepped back until I was cowering against the opposite wall.Footsteps came thudding down the stairs in a rush and within a few moments, at least ten guards from outside and the second floor were in front of me.

Two guards went straight to me, asking questions while three were in front of my artwork, and the others searched the floor. I kept the horrified look on my face, withholding my words in mock shock as they spread out.

“Miss? Can you tell us what happened?” The guard with numerous medals adorning his uniform asked for what had to be the third time.

I finally drew my eyes from the wall to meet his. “I—” I started but stopped with a catch in my throat.

“It’s alright, take your time.” He consoled before throwing a glance at the man beside him.

I tried again, “I-I went for a walk, and. . . and when I came back.” I finished, pointing to the wall across from me.

They followed my finger to the bloody words on the wall.

“And you didn’t see anyone?”

My voice was mousy as I said, “Not that I can recall.”

He nodded, before turning to the guy next to him, commanding, “Take her back to her room, and then return.”

My heart sank. “I'll be fine, just please find out who did this.”

The first guard looked back at me with a raised brow, “Are you sure?” I nodded hesitantly. He took a moment to consider it before nodding in acceptance and walking away.

Now was my chance. I made my way up the stairs, where I was immediately greeted with an empty floor and a clear path to Katryn's room. Quietly striding to her door, I checked the lock, no luck. Pulling out the pick stashed in my boot, I knelt down and began searching for the desired click.

Voices from guards on the first floor started to draw closer as they continued their search.

I couldn’t let them catch me. I would never have another chance like this again.

Their steps grew louder and louder.

My hands slightly trembled from the adrenaline, which happened to be the precise movement I needed.

Rotating the lock, I heard a satisfying click, before pushing through the door right as the tops of the guards' heads appeared on the stairs.

My forehead found the cold wood of the door as I shut it softly.

When I turned around, I found myself in a spacious morning room that was immaculately put together.

Not a single thing was out of place. It almost seemed as if it wasn’t even lived in—that was if it weren’t for the roaring fire in the fireplace.

There was only one other door within the space, marking my next location.

I used my ears to listen for sounds of anyone awake beyond the door, only finding one even breath and slow heartbeat.

Creeping into the dark bedroom, I found that everything within it was white, creating a soft glow from the moonlight that cast through the windowed doors leading out to the terrace.

Katryn laid directly in the middle of her massive bed, mouth agape, increasing the volume of her snores.

While she tried to feign gracefulness during the day, there was no hiding the snob during her sleep.

My footsteps were nonexistent as I walked to the side of her bed and took a good look at the woman who led me to my breaking point. All because of her own delusions.

She had deliberately picked a fight with me when anyone could see that there was no fight to pick.

She was the reason I had to endure a week of endless torment as I became fae.

She destroyed Aedon’s drawings.

The being within me was pulling on the leash, begging to be released fully. I mentally loosened it more.

“Yes, girl, let me take over.”

My breath hitched as the voice spoke clearly through my mind.

“No. . . we do this together,” I replied.

I heard her hiss before a wicked smile spread uncontrollably across my face with her agreement.

Grabbing the jar of Witch's Mace, I made quick work of pouring half of it into Katryn’s open mouth.

She began to cough awake, and before I knew it, I had pounced on top of her, pinning her arms to her sides with my knees.