Page 27

I didn’t stop until my legs were tired to the point they physically couldn’t carry me further.

I cursed myself for not keeping up with my running training more, but I never was one for endurance activities.

I had no idea where I was, only that I was in a remote portion of Istmere, and I was tired top the point of possible collapse.

I wasn’t sure where I was headed, either, only that I needed to put as much distance between me and that house as possible.

Nikolai hadn’t followed me.

I had left him there, shirtless and bleeding on the cobblestones.

The thought left a sickening lump in the pit of my stomach.

Had bile rising up the back of my throat, but I swallowed it back down, out of breath.

I was in desperate need of rest and water.

The roads were small and narrow, with sparse houses scattered about.

It was most rural—I certainly wasn’t in the city .

I pushed my exhausted legs to carry me further, across a small river with a narrow, rickety bridge.

The roads ended here, but I continued on through the wood, knowing I would either end up in a city or on the coast at some point.

I was fine with either. I was terribly lost but for some reason the thought didn’t scare me.

I was relieved to have escaped that house with the both of us still alive.

I had successfully escaped Nikolai without him stealing my magic, and I was thankful for that.

I wasn’t sure why he hadn’t stolen it at the first opportunity, or any of the ones that had come after that.

Maybe it was a deeply buried kernel of his former self?

I tried not to think too hard on it. The thought of the old Nikolai brought tears to my eyes, and I was too tired to cry.

Too spent from the events of the last three weeks.

It wasn’t until I had crossed another river, stopping to drink as much as I could fit into my belly, that I stopped to rest for the night.

I had nothing but the damp, baggy clothes I had left in.

I curled at the base of a tree, hoping that I could make it through the night despite the chill settling deep in my bones.

When the sun rose and its warm rays beat against my face, I thanked the Mother for what little sleep I had managed to get. And for protecting me through the night while I was alone. I gathered myself and carried on, finding another road after a few more hours of weary travel.

By the time I hit a cobbled street and a few small shops came into sight, I recognized where I was.

This was the westernmost part of Akra, the small town at the base of the mountain that housed the castle.

Luckily, I was on the southern side of the lake, and the castle wasn’t within my sightline.

If I kept traveling this road, I would eventually end up in Prins.

I didn’t have any coin on me, but I was starving and dehydrated. Exhausted down to the bone. I ducked into a small tavern that had a rickety, wooden sign out front proclaiming the best Dragon’s Ale in the realm . I trudged inside, closing the door behind me.

There were few patrons sitting at the bar and scattered among the tables in the tavern, but no eyes turned towards me when I entered. I sent another silent prayer to the Mother. Nobody was searching for me here. Not yet, at least.

I sat at the bar, dragging out a stool and settling onto it.

“Looks like ye had a long day, eh?” the bartender asked, slinging the dish towel over her shoulder.

She was short and stout, with long braided hair that was a muted gold, her eyes a striking green. I nodded, meeting her gaze.

“I don’t have any coin—I only need to rest here for a moment if that’s alright.” I gave her a soft, encouraging smile.

She nodded. “O‘ course. Why don’t I get ye a meal, on the house.”

She called towards the back of the tavern where a burly, curly haired man acknowledged her with a grunt before turning back to the stove.

“I don’t want to be any trouble,” I told her, guilt settling in my gut. I didn’t want to take anything for free.

“Don’t be silly,” she said, sliding a tall mug of Dragon’s Ale before me with a smile. “We take care o‘ each other in these parts.”

I nodded, returning her smile. “Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”

“It’s no worry, darlin’,” she replied, grinning wide and I could see she was missing one of her bottom front teeth. “Ye can repay us by slaughterin’ that bitch on the mountain.” She winked, placing a plate of bread before me.

“I-I-” I stuttered, but I wasn’t sure what I was even about to say before she held up a hand, cutting me off.

“Yer secret is safe with us. It’s a pleasure to serve the true queen.” She grasped the towel across her shoulder, resuming drying the glasses behind the bar top.

“How—” I cleared my throat. “How did you know?”

I had never met this woman before. Never been to this part of Akra.

I was weary that I had been recognized immediately, cautious that Donika was still out searching for me.

At this point Nikolai and his Noctani might be, too.

I doubted Donika would think I were in Akra though—right under her nose. So close, but still out of reach.

“Blazing red hair”—She gestured towards my mop of curls tangled in a mess at the nape of my neck—“baggy clothes. Fire in yer eyes. You look as if ye escaped something right awful. It’s an easy guess. Not to mention yer the spittin’ image of yer mother.”

She knew Annelise? I wasn’t sure I believed her answer, but I let it drop.

I munched on the bread she had placed before me, devouring the chicken and rice when she had brought that out, too.

I enjoyed my meal in silence, watching the other patrons in the bar chatter among each other.

I was so thankful to eat something that wasn’t soup or stew for the first time in weeks.

I downed the tall glass of Dragon’s Ale as if it might be the last I ever had.

The way things were going for me recently… it honestly might be.

“Who do I owe my thanks to?” I asked the bartender as I brushed my hands off on my pants, pushing the stool out and standing.

My legs protested at moving once more, but they held.

“Fleur,” she answered with a smile.

For only a moment it appeared as if she was taller. Slimmer. Her skin unblemished, her beautiful hair unbound down her back and shining a bright golden sheen. No missing teeth. I blinked, and the illusion was gone.

A glamour.

A smile turned up the corner of my mouth. “Thank you, Fleur. I’ll be sure to remember your kindness and hospitality. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Welcome back any time, ye are.” She nodded. “Say ’ello to Annelise and Amiyah fer me.”

A knowing glint twinkled in her eyes. I opened my mouth to say more, but she simply disappeared back into the kitchen. I shook my head, smiling as I made for the tavern door. I had better get going if I wanted to make it across The Shadow before nightfall.

My clothes had finally dried but were left starched and crisp from the rain, rubbing against my skin uncomfortably. I was chafing, and it was only a matter of time before I broke out in a rash. I couldn’t wait to get out of these Goddamn clothes .

I didn’t stand out too badly as I strolled into Prins, my feet throbbing from the blisters that had formed there. I had a full belly and renewed energy, hoping I could make it to the outskirts of Prins by sundown. If I kept this pace, I should be back at the seaside cabin by midday tomorrow.

I hoped Puck and Tess were there.

For a moment, it crossed my mind that maybe I should find Alastir’s family home in The Shadow.

But I shook my head to myself. I couldn’t be sure Tess or Puck were still there, and I didn’t want to run into Phineas looking like this.

He was too all knowing. A collector of information.

He would use anything against anyone, me included.

I didn’t want rumors of my capture spreading across the realm.

No… I needed to make it back to the safety of my family. If Tess and Puck weren’t there, Zion would send a raven to let them know I was back safely.

I strangely didn’t mind traveling alone and wasn’t as frightened of being recognized.

Nobody expected the rightful queen of Istmere to be traveling the streets in baggy, soiled clothing with her hair uncombed and no entourage.

It was easier to fly under the radar, though I did wish I had a glamour like Fleur.

I wondered if she was someone from the resistance, having known both my mother and aunt.

As I reached The Shadow the sun had begun its descent in the sky.

I made quick work of descending the staircase, picking through the now familiar streets to the other side.

The sun had slightly fallen over the horizon by the time I ascended the stairs on the other side.

I was thankful I hadn’t run into anyone untoward and praised myself for remembering the way all on my own.

I didn’t want to travel alone under the cover of night, but I hadn’t any money for a room at an inn either.

I would kill for the fluffy down bed at Eight Bells right about now, but I knew it wasn’t in the cards.

I would need to spend another night under the stars, curled at the base of a tree.

I pressed through the southern part of Prins, making my way through the streets beneath the soft glow of the torches and lanterns that hung outside people’s homes and outside the merchant shops.

I was utterly exhausted I wanted to sleep for at least two days when I finally got back.

Maybe three.

It had to be almost midnight by the time I collapsed at the base of a tree in the forest leading back towards the seaside cabin. I curled up into myself to keep warm. The summer night was especially brisk against my skin, but I was thankful my clothes were at least dry this night.

I fell asleep to the soft sounds of the birds chirping in the trees, safe and peaceful beneath the blanket of stars for the first time in a long, long time.