Chapter 28
ALIX
I gasp for breath as my head pops through the surface of the pond.
Holy shit, I’m soaked. And not in a fun way.
My teeth chatter, and of course it’s pouring rain, making the whole thing so much worse. Still, I let out a breath of relief and wade out of the water and onto the muddy bank. The scent of roses mingles with the rain and fills my nose. I swear I’ve never smelled anything so comforting.
I reach back into the water and drag my Walmart backpack wrapped in two layers of thick black trash bags out onto the bank beside me, then take a second to catch my breath. I sit on the muddy ground, panting, as a smile spreads across my face. “See, I’m not crazy,” I mutter to myself. “It was real.”
And thank God, honestly. Because otherwise, I would have taken two Ubers and a bus to the New York state line and walked into a pond on the side of the highway for nothing. And then I really would be crazy.
It was hard to know what time it would be when I arrived, but I think I’ve prepared for anything. Even if the king and his courtiers are still staying at the manor, I can handle it. At least, I hope I can.
I reach for my bag and tear off the trash bags I wrapped around it to hopefully protect everything inside from getting soaked with pond water. It looks dry enough, except for the raindrops now making dark spots on the canvas. I stuff the trash bags into the side pocket, then dig into the backpack for a can of bear spray and a hammer and brandish one in each hand as I start creeping through the roses toward the house.
I stifle a giggle, laughing at myself. If anyone could see me right now, I’m sure I look deranged. Then again, anyone out in the daytime really would be deranged, so maybe I’d better not jinx it.
I reach the edge of the patio and the door bangs open. A shriek startles me, and I’m just about to lift my hammer when I realize it’s Beatrix running toward me.
She ignores my weapon and launches herself at me, sobbing into a handkerchief just like I saw her do to Daemon.
“I’m so glad you’re alright,” she sniffles.
I pat her back, unsure what to do with this level of raw affection from a maternal figure. “How did you know I was here?”
“I told her.” Aurelia appears at the door behind Beatrix. She wiggles her fingers at me. “Magic gives you really good intuition.”
I raise an eyebrow. Damn, I could use some of that, especially right now.
Beatrix and Aurelia usher me inside, and within what feels like seconds, a steaming teacup is shoved into my hand and they’re pushing me into a chair at the kitchen table.
“The court left pretty much the moment you did,” Aurelia says, her voice rising to something between excitement and nerves.
“Which was when?” I ask, swallowing a sip of my tea. “I just want to make sure the time is the same between here and my world.”
“About two nights ago,” Beatrix replies anxiously. “Daemon told everyone that you died.”
I splutter. “What?”
“He did.” Aurelia nods along, looking aghast. “The king got so angry I could hear it all from my window. He yelled for a while, then his wings came out like he was going to start a real fight, but instead he just flew off.”
“He probably knew he’d lose,” I grumble.
“Maybe. He didn’t come back, though, and a little while later, Daemon told all the courtiers to get back in their carriages and they all disappeared.”
“They went back to the Winter Palace,” Beatrix says, disapproval strong in her tone. “I think it was the first time most of them realized what’s happening. You’d think they would have tried to leave or save themselves, but no. Time is almost up and only now the court has figured out the position their king has put them in.”
I grimace. “I think denial is a pretty common reaction to hearing the world is ending. Next, they’ll riot.”
Beatrix nods gravely. “Undoubtably.”
We sit in thick silence for a second, processing the weight of everything going on. Finally, I break the tension. “You guys don’t seem that surprised to see me.”
Aurelia smiles. “I had a feeling you’d be back.”
“But you were the one to tell me to leave.”
“And I was right, you should absolutely have left!” Her eyes widen. “But soul-bonds are impossible to ignore.”
I cough, the air in the back of my throat getting caught on the inhale. God, did everyone know but me? Do I even know for sure that that’s what this is…a soul-bond?
If somehow everything works out in the next day or so, I’ll have to come back and ask her exactly how that intuition thing works.
“Listen, I don’t mean to be rude, but I should probably get going. I have no idea how long it’s going to take me to get back to the castle, but I need to get there before the rose moon…which is tonight, isn’t it? When does it start?”
“At sundown,” Beatrix says quickly. “It will be dark for an entire day and night, and when the sun rises again, the curse will either be broken or…not.”
“I think I know how to break it. At least, I hope I do. I have an idea.”
Beatrix’s eyes widen with excitement. “Then you’re right, you’d better go right now.”
“I think you should wait to leave until it gets dark,” Aurelia interjects. “That’s only in an hour or so.”
“But then I’ll have an hour less time to reach the castle, and I still don’t fully know what I’m going to do when I get there.”
“I know…but you should wait anyway. If you’re traveling alone, it’s best to make sure you’re safe. What if the rain stops and the sun comes out?”
I start to argue with her, but Beatrix interrupts, “Can we at least get you some dry clothes? You must be freezing.”
“Can I just duck into your bathroom for a minute to change? I brought my own clothes in here.” I hold up the backpack.
“Of course,” Beatrix gushes. “And while you change, we’ll get one of the horses ready. Then you can leave whenever you want. Now, or you can wait until it’s dark, but either way you're ready.”
“Oh…no. That’s okay.”
They give me odd looks. “How are you going to get to the palace without a horse?”
“I figured I’d walk? Or maybe there’s someone who could drive me in a carriage.”
Aurelia laughs. “You must be joking, you can’t walk all the way to the palace.”
“I know it won’t be comfortable, but I think I could do it. It would probably take a little longer than the carriage ride, so five hours maybe?” I push my hair behind my ears and shrug. “That’s possible.”
“But there’re wolves out there,” Beatrix gasps.
“Yes, but?—”
They ignore my protests and go outside to the stables, leaving me alone. I close my eyes; I guess I’m facing all my fears today.
I duck into a bathroom to change and reemerge ten minutes later. As I stride toward the stables, Beatrix and Aurelia stare. I don’t have to wonder what they’re looking at.
The clothes in Ellender are beautiful, but not super practical as far as the women are concerned. I figured if I was going to risk my life, I might as well not worry about a corset.
I’m wearing my mom’s black yoga leggings, two pairs of new waterproof socks, and old hiking boots I haven’t worn since high school. On top, I’ve layered a sports bra, an Under Armour top, a heavy mesh vest from Walmart that I’m pretty sure could stop a bullet, and mom’s North Face jacket. I’ve got fingerless gloves that turn into mittens, a headband to keep my hair out of my face, and a rain hat that looks impossibly stupid but will probably make it easier to see. Honestly, aside from the hat, I think I look pretty good—in an outdoorsy mountain-girl sort of way.
Aurelia looks me up and down, then reaches out and pinches the fabric of my leggings. “What are these made of?”
I laugh. “If I come back, I will totally introduce you to the wide world of Lululemon. You’re gonna love it.”
The smile slides off my face as I take in the horse that they’ve gotten saddled and ready for me. It’s a mare, I think. She’s chestnut colored with a black mane and looks friendly enough…as far as horses go, that is. It’s like picking out the least deadly looking scorpion.
“What’s her name?” I ask in hushed tones.
“Marie,” Beatrix pats the horse’s neck.
I grimace. “I don’t think we’re on a first name basis yet. Maybe once she proves she isn’t going to buck me off.”
“She’s very gentle.”
I don’t believe that for a second, but I somehow find the courage to thank Beatrix and take the reins from her.
I step up beside the horse, looking her in her black glassy eye. “I’m going to need you to work with me here. I cannot deal with another traumatic incident today, you know?”
The horse snorts and paws nervously at the ground. I grit my teeth and straighten my spine. I’m going to choose to see that as a good omen…because I don’t really have any other choice, and as much as I hate to admit it, Beatrix and Aurelia are right. Walking five hours in the rain isn’t the best idea. I’m not conceding about waiting until dark, though. I’m leaving now.
I hold my breath as I climb onto Marie’s back, and we venture down the long cobblestone path toward the village.
Riding the horse proves to be just as terrible as I feared, but amazingly I don’t fall off. I can’t figure out how to make her go fast, and even if I could I probably wouldn’t want to, so we move along at a slow canter.
I ride the narrow cobblestone streets of the village of Storia, the wooden shutters of quaint cottages closed against the chill. As I leave the village behind, the path into the woods becomes tangled with brambles and underbrush, the rain pelting down in icy sheets that sting my skin. Despite the harsh weather, the deep grooves in the muddy ground, left by the heavy wheels of royal carriages, remain visible, guiding me through the dense forest and back toward the looming silhouette of the palace.
Marie mostly does the work herself, seeming to follow some instinct and sticking to the path. Eventually, I grow the tiniest bit more comfortable and loosen my death-grip on the reins—just a little.
Finally, the rain shifts to an icy chill, transforming into sleet that pricks my skin like tiny needles. My breath puffs out in frosty clouds.
“We’re almost there,” I mutter, though, only Marie is there to hear me. The horse huffs a breath, and this time, I’m sure it’s a response.
I spot the castle turrets against the darkening sky in the distance and feel instantly braver. I dig my heels into her flank, finally urging her to go faster. She does, and soon, I’m riding out of the tree line and toward the little village.
My stomach sinks, and I pull back on the reins to stop Marie, gaping in surprise at the village in front of me.
It’s…chaos.
All along the main street buildings are burning, animals run around free, and angry villagers march through the dark streets. Some brandish torches while others carry pitchforks, daggers, or whatever else they might be able to use as a weapon. I watch in horror as more and more people—Fae, goblins, and whatever else—stream out of houses and from the alleys between buildings. They form a mob, marching toward the castle.
Shouts of “Find the king!” and “Kill the beast!” echo through the streets, reverberating back over and over, as the chant is picked up by more and more people.
My hands tighten on Marie’s reins. I expected chaos, but this is all far too real. I guess it’s too late to turn back now.
I don’t want to get caught up in the mob, so instead I grit my teeth and urge Marie to ride around the outskirts of the village. Thankfully, there’s not much more than a handful of houses off the main street, and we’re able to slip by in the darkness, past the flickering flames reflecting off stone walls. Soon, we reach the town square.
I crane my neck over my shoulder. The mob is close and growing closer by the second, but they haven’t quite reached the palace steps.
Without thinking twice, I jump down from Marie’s back and tether her to a post outside the stables. “Wait here. I’ll be back…hopefully.”
I guess my fear of Marie is nothing compared to my fear of losing everything I’ve come to love.
I swing off my enormous backpack and fall to my knees in the street, rifling through it for the weapons I brought.
Weapons is a loose term.
Nothing I have was ever meant to hurt someone—I don’t know how to shoot a gun even if I’d wanted to bring one, and it’s not like Walmart is selling medieval broadswords in between the car parts and the flat screen TVs. Still, I’m not worried as I grip my bear spray in one hand and a blow torch in the other.
I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I have no problem defending myself if it comes to it. I’m sure that mob wouldn’t think twice about bowling me over on their way to the king, and if that’s what’s going on in the streets I don’t even want to know what the nobles and the soldiers are doing.
Armed and feeling a little braver, I swing my bag back over my shoulder and dash up the first few marble steps, bracing myself for an uncomfortable climb. The stairs are endless and my legs burn after only a few seconds, but there’s no other way to reach the castle—not unless someone happens to fly by and wants to give me a lift.
As if on cue, a dark shadow falls over me, as if something has moved in front of the moon. I look up instinctively, squinting through the misty rain that still hangs over the city.
A tall muscular figure with wings glides across the sky over the village. My heart picks up speed, beating hard against my chest. Even at this distance, I recognize his stature. “Daemon!”
I raise a hand, waving and shouting for him to stop.
Daemon cranes his neck and looks back at me. I shield my eyes from the rain and peer after him as he flies in a circle overhead, turning around in midair and coming back toward me.
My pulse quickens, and a rush of warmth spreads through my chest. Memories flood back, each one laced with joy and anticipation, causing my heart to expand with a mix of excitement and deep emotion.
But then, the bubble growing in my chest pops and dread washes over me as the figure draws nearer. It’s not Daemon.
King Thorne draws closer, landing a few steps above me. The menacing backdrop of the castle rises over him and my mouth falls open. For a second, all I can do is stare at his wings.
They’re black and feathered, but don’t have the same red tips that Daemon’s feathers do. Instead, each feather looks like the blade of a knife. He’s less like an angel and more like a bird of prey, preparing to strike.
The king cocks his head at me and his lip curls up in a sneer. “Isabelle…back from the dead so soon?”
A shiver travels up my spine. I glance behind me. I’ve climbed at least three flights worth of stairs, and falling backward would definitely kill me. Worse, there’s nowhere else to run.
I step slowly back, feeling my way down the stairs. At the same time, I hold my bear spray out in front of me. “Stay back. Don’t touch me.”
Thorn’s smile tips up even more, and with a tiny flick of his finger the can suddenly zooms out of my hand, flying backwards to clatter against the street far below. My breath catches, and my fingers tighten around the blow torch still clutched in my other hand. I raise that too, and it meets the same fate, flying out of my hand and into the thicket of snowy roses bracketing the steps.
My heart sinks into my stomach.
Thorne laughs and stalks toward me, dragging his enormous wings behind him. His expression is that of a cat stalking a mouse, and right now, that’s exactly what I feel like: a pathetic mouse who thought a blow torch and a six dollar can of bear spray could hold off the world’s most powerful cat.
“What are you doing out here?” I demand.
He laughs. “I should be asking you that, but it hardly matters now. I’m glad to see you, Isabelle.”
“O-oh yeah?” I stammer, still edging down the stairs. I have to keep him talking. Buy myself a second to think.
“Certainly.” Thorne drawls, almost like he’s enjoying himself. “See, I thought you died and yet there was no change to the curse. Imagine my frustration realizing you weren’t the one after all. I’d wasted so much time.”
“You still wasted your time,” I say through gritted teeth. “You don’t love me.”
He cocks his head, his smile turning frightening. “Don’t I? I spent years thinking of you, remembering how you left me. Imagining what I’d do to get you back.”
“That’s not love. That’s control. You knew you’d been tricked and it became an obsession but it was never about me.”
His face twists and for a moment I think I see a spark of recognition in his eye. Maybe for a moment he realizes his mistake, and knows that he really did waste his time all these years. Then, in a blink, it’s gone. “Perhaps you’re right. I suppose we’ll find out together, won’t we?”
His hand whips out with such speed I can barely see it. In an instant, I feel myself falling backwards as if he’d shoved me with both hands.
A part of me expected this, and I brace myself and try to curl inward, protecting my neck as I fall backward against the stone. My huge backpack takes the brunt of the fall. Still, pain shoots through me, rattling every nerve and bone in my body as I tumble back down the stone steps. Thorne stalks after me and all I can see are his boots and the tips of his black wings before my eyes close against the blinding pain radiating through me.
I land in a heap on the bottom step and force myself to crack my eyes open. I’m alive and everything hurts, which doesn’t feel like a good thing but at least probably means I didn’t break my neck.
I sit up, wiping blood from my mouth.
Through watering eyes, I see Thorne grinning down at me.
My head pounds with pain and through my haze I hear the shouts of the mob growing closer by the second. Maybe if I can just stay alive for another minute or two, the mob will reach us and Thorne won’t be able to kill me before they see him?
Evidently unconcerned about the mob, Thorne raises a boot and presses it deliberately against my chest, forcing me back to the ground. He reaches into his belt and draws a smooth-hilted black dagger. “There’s no time for a wedding first, but I think the Gods will have to forgive me that. I only wish Ashwater could see me kill you.”
I glare up at him, strangely defiant in the face of death the way I’ve never been before. “No matter what, it won’t work. You’ll stay cursed forever because you’re so fucking stupid you never even realized that the only person you love is yourself. You never even realized that I’m not Isabelle.”
Thorne reels back in confusion. He takes his foot off my chest and I don’t waste a second, scrambling backwards.
In that same second, I hear a shout rise over every other sound. Both Thorne and I turn and see Daemon rushing out of the castle. He doesn’t bother with the stairs, spreading his wings and launching himself toward us. For a moment, my heart flies too. Soaring, as I know everything will be alright.
Then, with another wicked grin, Thorne whips back around and throws the dagger in his hand directly toward my heart.