Freed from Gravity (Bound and Freed #2)

Chapter 31

Thirty-One

ALLETTE

For the first time since we arrived at the burrows, I have more energy than I know what to do with. Back when I had my wings, I would have soared high above the city, watching the sun paint the sky as it descended below the horizon. Here, all I see are paintings of beautiful things.

I miss real rose gardens. The sweet perfume of flowers and the sound of bees buzzing from one bloom to the next. The kiss of a breeze drenched in sunlight.

Sunlight…

What I wouldn’t give for some right now.

There’s a knock on the bedroom door, followed by Braith’s high voice. “Wynn? Would you like to go for a walk with me?”

Is she serious? A walk sounds like heaven. There might not be gardens in the cavern, but at least there would be people and life and something to see besides these four walls. It’s safe enough, isn’t it? Cadoc isn’t a problem anymore, and the king believes us dead.

Surely if I wear a cloak, I should be able to join her.

“Just a minute!” I snag my cloak from the back of the door and join my friend in the hallway.

“We have so much to discuss,” Braith says in a conspiratorial whisper. “I want to hear all about what transpired on Dread Row.”

Perhaps I don’t want to go on a walk after all.

Josie appears from the kitchen, brandishing a basket and a smile. “Did I hear you say you were going for a walk? Would you be a dear and drop these leftovers to your sister?” To me, she explains, “My eldest daughter gets so busy with her work that she sometimes forgets to eat.”

Sounds like the perfect distraction from talking about Dread Row. “Does she live far?”

Sighing, Braith takes the basket from her mother. “Only down by the river.”

For some reason, her shoulders slump as we make our way to the front door, the basket resting at the crook of her arm. With my hood pulled over my hair and my face cast in shadows, I follow Braith out into the wide caverns.

She links our arms, the basket swinging on her other side as we hurry down the path toward where the river snakes through the center of the cavern. “So, tell me. How did everything go with Carew?”

It takes every ounce of my willpower to keep my smile from slipping into a grimace. “We managed to save the princess and find the antidote, so I’d say the mission was a success.”

“I’m relieved to hear it. I was so worried about you. The stories I’ve heard about that man are things of nightmares.”

Sounds like the stories are probably true. “Enough about that. How are things at the castle?”

She throws her head back and groans. “It’s so bloody boring without you and Jeston. I understand work isn’t always meant to be exciting, but the monotony is killing me. I don’t know how I’m going to keep it up for the next month, let alone forever.”

“You could always quit.”

“And work where?” she snorts. “At the mines with my father and brother? Not all of us are mated to a prince.”

I know how lucky I am, but it wasn’t always like this. Look at what has befallen us since we met. If I could make Senan a carpenter or a baker instead of a prince, I would. While we are incredibly fortunate that Aeron is willing to provide us with funds to live now, it wasn’t meant to be that way. “It’s not all roses and sunshine, you know. I had to work in the human realm.”

“I’m sorry. That sounded spiteful, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’m truly happy that you found your other half. I think I’m just tired of being on my own, you know? Not that I need a mate to find happiness. I don’t.” She nudges a small stone with her slipper. “But sometimes I think it wouldn’t be so bad to have someone to lean on.”

I understand exactly what she means. Even though we had very little in the human realm, Senan and I had each other. “Perhaps when Jeston recovers, the two of you will make a go of it.”

Her lips purse. “Perhaps.”

Or maybe she will meet someone better, someone who doesn’t need as much coaxing. Someone whose kiss sets her on fire. As long as she finds happiness, that’s all that really matters.

The homes grow smaller as the paths twist downward toward the market. How lovely it feels to stretch my legs. Men and women nod and wave hello, everyone wearing the same contented smile.

When was the last time I felt content?

Probably the day Senan met me at work and brought me to the pub. Those few precious hours before I found out about the poison were magical.

Stars, I need to think about something less depressing.

“Tell me about your sister.” I always wanted a sister growing up, someone with whom to share memories and adventures. Someone to turn to in times of need or sorrow.

Instead, it’s just me, holding all the memories of my parents and my aunt inside my heart. Of Wynn.

Braith’s arm stiffens where it links with mine. “Regina and I don’t get along.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s complicated.”

We come to a halt outside a burrow with the words “TATTOOS nothing more.”

Regina bares her teeth, her dark eyes hard as flint. “It’s a fucking betrayal, that’s what it is. How can you stand to work for Scathian scum?”

I stiffen.

So that’s why there’s friction between them. Does Regina hate all Scathians or only the ones in the castle? What would she say if she found out her parents were harboring two Vale princes? If she learned I was once Scathian myself?

“You know what they stole from us,” Regina goes on.

Hold on. Did Boris take something from Regina as well? Heaven knows he’s stolen enough from me. “What are you talking about?”

Braith pulls me harder, but I stand my ground. “It’s nothing,” she insists with an exasperated groan.

“It’s everything ,” Regina counters. “Did you know that we used to have magic?”

Unease stirs beneath my skin. Given all the lies we’ve been told, her claim isn’t outside the realm of possibility. I turn toward my friend. “Is that true?” If it is, this could change the very fabric of our realm.

Braith’s eyes narrow on her sister, her cheeks an angry red. “No, it’s not. My darling sister prefers fiction over fact. She always has.”

Regina slams the lid on another pot. “You’ve never read the ancient texts?—”

“Neither have you!” Braith hisses. “How many times must we have this conversation, Regina? Just because you want something to be true does not make it so. Come on, Wynn. We can go into the city for a tattoo.”

Wait…what’s happening?

Regina pushes back from the padded table. “ You’re getting a tattoo?”

“I was hoping to. But since you can’t keep your mad conspiracy theories to yourself, we’ll go elsewhere.”

Regina folds her arms over her chest. “I can keep them all to myself. Go on, then. Tell me what you want. I have plenty of time and ink right here. How about a mask? Or a tower? Wait! I have just the thing: a crown of your own, Princess Braith .”

Enough is enough. I don’t care that Regina is Braith’s sister. No one speaks to my friend that way. “Leave her alone. I’m the one who asked about getting a tattoo, all right? Braith said you were the best and I asked her to introduce us. But now that I’ve met you, I’m not convinced.”

Regina’s jaw falls open. “You said that about me?” she asks in a quiet voice, like the wind has been taken from beneath her wings.

Braith bobs her head. “It’s true. You are the best.”

It could just be the lack of light, but I swear Regina’s eyes sparkle with tears. “What were you looking for?” she asks.

That’s easy. “I want a tattoo on my back.”

Braith’s eyes widen. “I don’t think that’s a good?—”

“It’ll be fine, Braith.” Patting her hand, I slip out of her grasp. “I promise.”

Regina bobs her head. “How big?”

“My whole back.”

“That’ll take a lot of ink.”

“If you have the time, I have the coin.” Senan told me to use the gold to buy myself something nice. He probably meant a new dress, but now that the idea has taken root in my mind, I cannot think of anything I’d like more than this.

Regina slaps a hand to the padded table. “Then take down your dress and hop on up. What are you thinking?”

I unbutton my dress and peel down the cotton, exposing my scarred back.

Braith’s sister curses when she sees the marks. Her gaze flies to mine.

“If you can forgive the fact that I’m Scathian scum, I would like you to give me back my wings. Ones the king cannot steal.”