Chapter 51
BACK AT THE fortress, I sleep in Drystan’s bed, in his arms, for a good long while. It isn’t the kind of sleep that locks me in because I’m so exhausted, it’s something gentler than that. When I wake, he runs me a bath and joins me in it, making love to me in the slippery suds.
But he’s the king and has business to attend to, marked by a message from Lord Mastelle. Whatever is in the note makes Drystan scowl and leave with heavy feet like he doesn’t want to go anywhere.
His suite isn’t the same without him, and the clock strikes five, reminding me that I have one more day in the labyrinth to get ready for, so I head back to my room. The longer I’m without company, the more the image of that walkway under those heavy arches weighs on my mind.
I need to find a way to get through them or all this will have been for nothing. Risking my life. Risking Min’s.
I’m frowning as I enter my room and find her waiting for me. “There you are! I was worried I’d missed you.” Her warm embrace is welcome. “I’m going to visit Asti, and I was hoping you’d give me a second opinion.” She gives me a twirl, skirts flowing, hair swinging.
Despite the echoes of despair chiming in my heart, I can’t help smiling. “The fact you want a second opinion on your appearance when you’re the royal sartor is adorable. You look gorgeous and you know it. Besides, even if you don’t, Asti knows it.” I wink and bump my shoulder to hers.
“It’s just… I think I…” She takes a long breath, rubbing her chest. Her cheeks flush. “I’m going to tell her tonight how I feel and… What if she doesn’t—?”
“She does. I’ve seen how she looks at you. It’s the same way you look at her.”
Her eyebrows peak and she throws her arms around me. “Thank you. I’m not sure how I earned such a kind friend, but I’m grateful I have.” She holds me at arm’s length and a frown spoils the look of joy she wore moments ago. “Are you ready?”
There’s no doubting what she means. My last day in the labyrinth.
I go to say yes. To reassure her that everything’s fine. But the image of the ruined cottage flares in my mind, reminding me of how good it felt to let myself express something other than cheer.
“No.” I sigh, head hanging. “Not at all.”
“That sounds like you need to tell me all about it.” She glances at the window. “We have time.”
We sit by the fire and eat supper while I explain the trial by despair that brought me to my knees. She listens with crinkled brow and hand on her chest.
“That sounds… like a hardship I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But giving up? Losing hope? That isn’t the kind of person you are. It has to be some powerful magic to make you falter.”
“They were things I’ve thought before, all of them.” I frown at the fire, nibbling on a handful of almonds. And yet… “You’re right. I don’t feel that way now I’m away from those arches. Nothing seems quite as bleak.”
“Good. Because it isn’t.” She slips from her armchair and kneels at my feet, taking my hands in hers. “You are kind. You are clever. And you have strengths I don’t think even you realize. You will get through this. You will get home.”
My sore eyes water all over again, but I don’t want to cry any more. Enough. “Thank you. You should get to Asti.”
“Not yet. I’ll help you get ready.” She rises, chin wavering. “It’s your last time after all.”
In silence, we pack my bag and pull out practical clothing.
She helps me change and braids my hair, then stands back, hands on my shoulders, looking me over like I’m one of her creations about to go out into the world and be worn for the first time.
“You look ready and that’s half the battle.
Rhiannon Archer. My friend who would’ve been the future queen. And a damn good one at that.”
I narrow my eyes at the points of her ears. “Are these fake? I thought fae couldn’t lie.”
“It’s no lie. We need a little kindness.
Some life and color. A person willing to bend old rules if not break them outright.
And most of all, we need hope. You are all those things, and that’s why, if anyone can get through the labyrinth and get out of here, it’s you.
” Lip wobbling, she pulls me into another hug—this one squeezes the air from my lungs. “I’m going to miss you, Annon.”
That’s when it hits me.
I’m not just going home, I’m losing all this. Her, Asti, Drystan, the cat. Even Kishel’s lessons, his playful coaxing. I’ve been so focused on escape, I’ve missed what I have here.
My throat tightens. “And I’ll miss you. Becoming your friend has been an honor.”
She pulls back, her face tear-streaked, though she wears a tremulous smile.
She tucks my hair behind my ear, giving a small, determined nod.
“The honor is all mine. It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to know you, Rhiannon Archer.
And though I selfishly want to keep you here, I also want to see you happy.
Show that labyrinth who you are. You’ve gone through worse than its whispers. You’ll be the one to break it.”
Swallowing, she turns and strides from the room.
As I watch the door click shut, fighting yet more tears, I catch the sweet scent of jasmine. In the mirror, I spot Min’s last gift to me.
Tucked behind my ear is a single jasmine flower. White and blooming.
I wonder how she snuck it there, but the world fragments and I spill through it, thoughts scattering on the wind.