Chapter Fifty-Seven
H is eyes are focused on the darkness in front of us. He’s listening for something. To something.
Over his shoulder, the guards close in around the front and I can see Patton stepping into his head of guard position, angling his body in a way that will seamlessly mislead those who come in.
My attention whips back around. The snapping branches and shuffling gravel has me terrified for what will come out of the darkness. I pat my mare to assure her, trying to calm her and quiet her snorts of fear.
I brace myself for all our plans to come crashing down around us before we even begin our journey. I realize that despite my hesitance, I am ready to leave the castle walls. Now with something in our way, the disappointment seeps in. The thought of not being able to rescue my sister who needs me is suffocating, but even the disappointment is not as bone-breaking as the thought of all those we’re letting down. I can't help anyone from the cell of a dungeon.
I was looking forward to discovering more of myself. The self I just realized was sitting right below the surface. But it’s over before it even begins. I pat my horse, gripping the reins so tight my knuckles are white and brace for impact, while at the same time, trying to keep us in the shadows as the sounds of swords clanging behind us grows closer .
Thaddeus remains solid behind me, but Gryphon has already pulled his sword from his belt and fixes it toward the direction of our pursuer.
I wait, expecting guards at any moment. But instead of being dragged off my horse and carried back to the castle to await the wrath of my brother, the new king, in addition to the cold resolve of the man I was supposed to marry, a hooded figure steps out of the shadows, stopping just short of our horses, as if now that they’ve arrived, they’re unsure of how to proceed.
Everything stops for a moment. I look toward Baylor beside us who’s already notched his bow and taken aim. Gryphon looks as frightened as I feel, for he’d be as destroyed as I’d be if we’re caught and returned to our family. But when I steal a look at Thaddeus, he just looks annoyed. I wait for the figure before us to make their move.
While observing the figure standing before us, I notice the lone person is shorter and more slight than any of the king’s guards. Although I’m up high on my horse, so anyone would appear shorter. Doubt at my ability to read the moment seeps in.
At the same moment, I notice the spotless riding boots and make the connection, the figure slowly raises her hands, palms up to show she means no harm and pulls off her hood. “Hold your bow! Don’t shoot!” Her eyes wide and pleading as she looks straight at Baylor’s notched arrow.
Baylor holds his loaded bow for a moment, then slowly lowers it and returns the arrow to the quiver across his back. Gryphon heaves a huge sigh and his whole body visibly relaxes. As soon as Licia is sure her life isn’t in danger, she runs toward Gryphon.
As she runs at him, he lowers his arm and in one swift movement, he lifts her up and she gracefully lands behind him. He twists in the saddle to meet her eyes and kisses her deeply. A kiss that says everything about how he felt leaving her behind.
I shake my head, but really on the inside I’m swooning. If only one day, I could be as lucky as the two of them.
Beside me, Baylor huffs and rolls his eyes. “What’s wrong with everyone here? We’re leaving on a perilous journey across the realm, not a night out at the village pub.”
Once Gryphon and Licia resurface from their own world they look pleadingly at me as if I’m the one making the calls here. And that’s when I notice the pack slung across her chest.
I shrug. “You want to come?” I ask my sister. My heart floats at the awareness that she’s known at least a part of this all along. And she’s along for the ride. I marvel at her little birds around the castle and her ability to keep secrets.
“Of course I’m coming. I can’t remain here, without my two favorite people. And you’ve completely lost it if you think I’m sticking around to watch the fall out of all this mess.” She winks at me as she waves her hand in the air and a quiet understanding passes between us. We’re done with this life.
She notices my shoulders relax and her eyes narrow. “Don’t think for a second I’ve forgiven you both for thinking you could leave without me, but I figure I have a better chance of riding along if I’m smiling and agreeable.” She swats at Gryphon and flicks an eyebrow at me.
Rather than engaging, I lead my horse behind theirs and address Thaddeus under my breath, “You knew and didn’t say anything?”
I can feel the shrug of his shoulders and chest against my back as he makes himself comfortable behind me. “Honestly? I never thought she’d actually go through with it once she realized what we were doing.”