Chapter 45
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
EVERLY
W e’re leaving tonight .
It’s that thought that keeps me steady as we walk through the dark woods.
On either side of me, walk the kings of Serenity Falls. Both have hooked an arm through mine in an attempt to help me move forward since each step causes my heels to sink into the mud. If we’re going to escape, I have to ditch these things.
I’d rather run barefoot than sprain an ankle.
My eyes flutter down to Braum’s footwear. He’s not in heels, but the fine suede is definitely going to get ruined and slow him down. Almost instinctively, I check Rowan’s next. I don’t know why. He’s not coming with us. Still, I just need to know if something changed, he could .
Nope, his shiny leather shoes aren’t particularly great running shoes either.
Hopefully Maverick at least decided to wear the boots I brought him.
My heart flutters. Will I see him soon? He said he’d be here tonight. I don’t realize how much I hope for that until we draw closer to our destination and I see movement and lights up ahead. Before we make it to the break in the trees, Sheldon slips out of the shadows to greet us.
“Everything ready?” Braum asks him.
Sheldon nods. “All set. I’ll let Bastian know to cut the music.”
With that, he slips back into the shadows and disappears.
We don’t follow. I stare at where he’d been standing, trying not to acknowledge the hollow pit in my stomach or my racing heart.
I don’t know what’s about to happen—all I was told was I would be formally introduced to the court.
That alone is enough to make my palms sweaty.
Being the center of attention is one of my worst nightmares.
I won’t be alone, but that doesn’t matter. All eyes will be on me.
Yet as much as I loathe the idea of being under such scrutiny, it’s what comes after that makes me feel lightheaded.
We’re leaving tonight.
The thought returns, louder than before.
I glance nervously at Rowan hoping he suddenly hasn’t gained powers to read someone’s mind.
He doesn’t look down at me. His gaze is trained on the quieting commotion ahead of us, just through the trees.
His smug expression deepens as he prepares to step out into a crowd of adoring fans.
I study his profile, trying to memorize each detail.
After tonight, all I’ll have of him will be dated photos from whatever I can find online.
The denial that wells up isn’t new. Since Maverick brought up leaving Rowan behind, I’ve been quietly spiraling. It doesn’t make sense how badly I want to blurt out our plan and beg Rowan to come. He’s Maverick’s enemy and the guy who’s taken advantage of my need for security.
But Rowan’s also the one who’s forced me out of my comfort zone, championed me when his best friend left me covered in bruises, and found me worth loving despite the walls I’ve erected over the years.
My heart clenches.
Turning away from him, I look up at Braum next.
I don’t know where he’s been all day, but he had been waiting for us on the first floor of Barrington Regal House, dressed and ready to go.
Other than a strangely tender brush of his knuckles across my cheek, he hasn’t spoken a word.
There hasn’t been a moment between then and now to ask about his plans for the night.
Right now, his expression sits somewhere between stoic and bored.
There’s nothing giving away that he might be anxious or has anything up his sleeve.
Taking my cue from them, I look straight ahead. As I do, the world falls utterly silent.
“Remember, princess, you agreed to cooperate and be grateful,” Rowan whispers.
I frown, not sure why he’s bringing this up. “I don’t need the reminder.”
“Just keep it in mind, alright?” he warns, his voice twisting with a glee. “Let’s go, princess.”
I let the two of them guide me as we emerge from the tree line.
My breath leaves in a whoosh as I stare at the sight before us.
There are at least forty patients facing us.
The mass is split nearly in half thanks to a velvet, blood-red runner acting as an aisle.
At the other end of the carpet is a small circular clearing—the grass beaten down and covered in wildflower petals and fairy lights.
Around the small clearing is a semi-circle of tiki torches that are lit and flickering in the gentle breeze.
It’s both beautiful and it’s also too much.
I would’ve balked at the sight if it weren’t for both guys holding me so tightly.
They must’ve expected my reaction because they both step closer to me, nearly in sync, and pull me forward.
The moment Braum and Rowan help me onto the thick carpet, my heels stop sinking into the mud.
Walking is easier, albeit less enticing than ever before since all eyes are on us.
Never in all my life have I wanted to crawl out of my own skin more than I do right now.
I can feel it; all the judgment, the jealousy, the poorly concealed hatred, the open envy and curiosity.
Everyone watches, leaning around one another to take a good look at me.
Whispers start up behind us and I can only imagine what’s being said.
The light dinner Rowan brought up before I tried on his dress picks now threatens to return.
A ringing starts in my ears. The closer we get to our destination, the louder it gets.
It’s deafening by the time Braum and Rowan pull me into the middle of the clearing.
It vibrates around in my skull so hard the world is slightly out of focus.
Carefully, the two of them turn me around for their court to see.
Before my eyes can cast over the sea of faces, one in particular immediately stands out among the rest.
The ringing stops. The world comes back into focus only to tunnel. All terror leeches away, already in the process of being replaced by a deep-seated loathing.
I’ve been tricked.
Tricked into trusting, into hoping, into the idea of happiness.
There, on his knees with his ankles and wrists bound and the lower half of his face covered by a hard plastic mask, is Maverick.
There’s a thick shackle around his neck.
Attached to it is a short rope that’s staked into the ground, keeping him on his knees—rendering him immobile.
His eyes are ablaze like molten steel as he glares at the kings on either side of me.
A thick vein bulges in his temple and his nostrils flare wide in anger.
We’ve both been tricked.
“Ah, I see you’ve seen my gift for you,” Rowan jeers as he bends down to whisper into my ear. He chuckles darkly. “I’ve captured the beast just for you, princess , and tied him up. I didn’t want him to run away before he got to watch you ascend the throne.”
I gasp as he straightens.
Rowan knows about the plan. But how? Immediately my thoughts turn to Braum. Did he betray us after getting our hopes up? The idea is so on brand for him I’m sure of it instantly.
“Good evening, one and all!”
Rowan’s voice booms over the silent crowd. He lets go of my arm to step forward—taking center stage like the egotistical asshole that he is.
“I welcome you with open arms to this special celebration. I’ll admit, I’ve been a bit reluctant to host this event, knowing once I do I’ll have to share my most prized possession with all of you.
As you all know, I’m a greedy bastard who hoards treasures like a dragon.
” He gives the crowd a rueful smile and it earns him a round of laughter.
“But, alas, I would be remiss if I did not bestow upon you the same blessings Braum and I have been basking in for the past week.”
He walks back and forth in front of me with purpose and confidence, like a fucking model, as he speaks.
I don’t look away from Maverick, who seems moments away from turning into that rabid, feral man who had me strapped down and electrocuted the first night I arrived. He hasn’t looked at me once. His attention, his hatred , is directed at Braum and Rowan.
“Now, you’ve all met our newest patient during her initiation into court.
As you may recall, Anastasia passed with flying colors—speeding through the Labyrinth in record time.
Her tenacity, courage, and bravery were on display that evening for all of us to witness.
She has become the pillar of expectations moving forward for all initiations.
But there is more to Anastasia than meets the eye. ”
Rowan pauses, center stage, to turn halfway around. I can feel his gaze on me so I reluctantly force myself to tear my eyes away from Maverick to meet it. When our eyes lock, I hope to god he can read the promise of retribution that’s going to come his way.
“There is beauty, grace, and passion in Anastasia that runs soul deep, which neither Braum or I could miss the moment our eyes fell upon her. She is the first woman we’ve met that can be considered our equal.”
I wonder at his words and how he can stand there spewing out such bullshit .
Rowan’s a snake with beautiful, shining scales, but carries with him a venomous bite.
I must’ve been bitten. It would explain how my judgment about him has gotten so clouded.
I’ve deluded myself into believing Rowan was someone worth caring about.
Rowan turns back to face his peers once more. “It is because of her extraordinary qualities that we have decided that Anastasia Hutchinson will be your queen. The fidelity you swore to me and Braum now extends to her. Bow before your queen to pay her the respect she deserves.”
There’s a round of cheers before everyone begins to sink to their knees. Rowan grins proudly as he steps back to stand beside me to watch as his court does as they’re told. I ignore all of it, and him, as I lock eyes with Maverick.