Chapter 30
Gabe
There was no moment where I knew I was knocked out, just darkness and then not. I shot upright, wobbling as I stumbled around the room.
I knew she wasn’t here.
Knew it as if she were a true extension of me. “Mari!”
“Sire?” Jeff’s voice at the door turned me around. “The Briar Queen went back to the House of Rose and Lantern.”
I blinked, my eyes gritty. “How long have I been out?”
“About thirty-six hours.”
What the fuck had she hit me with? I didn’t know of anything that could take a Fallen down for that long. Still not fully steady on my feet I made my way to the door and with each stride I pulled myself together more. “Jeff, where is Algrin?”
“He left a report for you,” Jeff handed me a paper that showed Algrin had not found Maverick or Harald but had a lead that they’d managed to slip across territories. I reached for the Prism, fully intending to connect to him but…the Prism was not there.
We were at the castle gates as the shock hit me. She’d taken the Prism.
But why? She was no Fallen, there was no magic in it for her.
Unless…
She truly understood the Prism was what allowed me to call her. And she wanted to be free of me, and this place.
Demon.
But then why had she gone to Rose House?
Two strides and I was airborne, my wings working even if my legs were not at their best. I landed at the door of the House of Rose and Lantern.
The door was opened and two of her Doves stood before me, lowering into a double curtsy. “She is busy, Your Majesty. She asks if you would give her another day to grieve.”
Something was off. “Of course.” I took a step back and they shut the door. Only I knew that her room had a balcony, unguarded. I went around the back of the house, climbed up the railings and let myself in. She sat with her newly repaired gray dress and cloak on, her back to me.
“Mari, why did you run? Why did you take the Prism?”
She stood and turned, her dark hair spilling out but…her body shape was not right. “You are not Mari.”
“I am not.” She flipped the hood back.
A Dove named Faiza, not Mari.
“Though we thought to hold the ruse longer than this, Mari instructed me to give you this letter when you found out I was not her.”
She didn’t tremble before me, and I knew why Mari had chosen her to take her place.
I backed away and read the letter.
I am so sorry, Gabe, more than you can ever know. Perhaps, the gods willing, we will find each other in another life. Until then, I will live what days I have left in freedom, with my sister in a place that I know she will be safe.
Mari
She’d taken the Prism so I couldn’t find her and she’d left. Escaped. Strange to feel relief that she wasn’t going after Harald and Maverick, that…that would be worse than anything else, knowing that she was searching out those killers.
I should let her go.
I had a key to find.
A world to save.
I should have turned around, should have done what I had to do regarding the other leaders. Dealt with Cleona.
Messaged Raven.
Something kingly.
“What will you do?” Faiza asked.
I lifted my eyes from the paper, the decision made, as foolish as it was.
“I’m going to find her.”