14. Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fourteen
“ W hat about the High King?” I ask, quickening my pace to match Viridian’s stride. “Won’t he catch us? Or the guards?”
“No,” Viridian tells me, looking straight ahead. “My father’s not here. Nor are his guards.”
“What? What do you mean he’s not here?” I shake my head, struggling to understand. “Our engagement ball was only last night.”
“I’m well aware,” he growls. “It appears that my father slipped away from the castle grounds after he’d done his kingly duties as host.”
“He left after greeting the guests? Why?”
“I would love to know.” His voice is barely above a simmer.
“But—”
“He won’t lie to me anymore.” Viridian looks at me now, amber eyes blazing like fire. “I won’t let him.”
“Viridian…” My voice trails off. We approach the entrance to the East Tower. Turning my face from his, I slow to a stop. “You won’t want to see this.”
“That is all the more reason for me to see it.” Even though I can’t see him, I can feel the intensity of his gaze heating my cheeks. “And I don’t want to do this alone.” His voice softens, and I can’t help but face him now. “Please, Cryssa.”
I swallow. My name sounds like a plea on his lips.
No one has ever said my name like that before. This is the first time Viridian has ever said it.
To him, I’ve only been Miss Thurdred. Or Little Fawn.
“Please, Cryssa.”
I think of my own father. If I were in Viridian’s place, I would want to know. I would want the truth.
I hear his voice in my head again.
“Please, Cryssa.”
How can I deny him this?
“All right.” I nod. “Brace yourself.”
Viridian nods and faces forward. I enter first, leading him down the hall. Every fiber in my body urges me to quicken my pace, to pass through this horrible place as quickly as possible. But I don’t. I move slowly, glancing over my shoulder from time to time to watch Viridian.
His eyes roam the walls, the floor, the moth-eaten carpet. His face twists, dark brows furrowed. He reaches out to run his fingers along a large crack in the wall, but brings it to his nose once the rot sets in.
Viridian’s shoulders tense, but he doesn’t say anything.
I continue onward, until I reach the spiral staircase at the base of the tower.
I pause. “The worst of it is up here.”
“Very well.” Viridian takes a deep breath, clenching his jaw. He motions his hands forward, as if to say, “Onward .”
We ascend the stairs, just as slowly as our trek through the hall. I step aside once we reach the top. I stay back, but Viridian moves deeper into the chamber. He crosses his arms, mouth tight, like he’s holding his breath. I turn away.
Viridian’s footsteps take him farther from me. I look his way and find him inspecting the array of leather gloves on the table.
“How…” he murmurs, shaking his head with disbelief. “There is magic here. Dark magic.”
“How do you know?” I step forward.
“I can sense it.”
“Sense it?”
“It’s buzzing in the air all around us.” He furrows his brow, as if he can’t wrap his mind around my confusion. “You can’t feel it? ”
“No,” I say.
I’m not like you, I want to add. I’m not fae.
It’s times like these that I’m painfully aware of that fact. I know very little of magic, but I know most fae, especially noble fae, are attuned to magic and can channel it. Humans, on the other hand… It’s rare for humans to harness magic of any kind.
“Oh.” He averts his eyes.
Is he looking down on me? On my feeble humanness? Does he feel as though he’s said something wrong? When it comes to him, I can’t tell. He masks his emotions well, to the point that it makes him difficult to read.
“Well, there is,” he adds, arms tense at his sides.
Dark magic? Here? I press my lips together. I didn’t expect this. How could I have expected this?
“Who would have—”
“I don’t know.” Viridian’s words are clipped. His eyes linger on me for a moment longer than I’d like. Is that an accusation I see in them?
“I’m not to blame for this,” I shoot out. My defenses come up, sharp like steel. Since I’m human, he must know I can’t use magic. Still, he doesn’t trust me, and I sure as hell don’t trust him. Because of that, I can’t help but think he’s suspicious of me. Like I am somehow to blame. Perhaps I was wrong to help him.
“Cryssa, I—I know.” Seeming worn out, he takes a breath and closes his eyes. After a moment, he opens them, and I can see the unspoken apology in his expression .
I unclench my jaw, but my walls don’t come down. Not all the way. I can’t keep letting my guard down around him.
“You won’t find answers here.” I cross my arms.
Viridian sighs and wipes his face. “I’m quite aware.”
Neither one of us speaks for a moment.
“And we’re not going to find answers standing here,” I say bluntly.
He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Then what would you suggest?”
“We won’t find answers here ,” I say, “but commoners talk. If there are any answers, they’ll be outside the castle walls.”
Viridian’s eyes fall to the floor. He purses his lips as if he were mulling over the thought.
Then, he looks up at me. “How do I know that this isn’t all part of some plan to escape?”
“You don’t,” I tell him. “But you know I’m right.”
He presses his mouth into a fine line and levels his gaze. If the royal historian and records were a dead end, then he has no other leads. I am right, and he despises it.
“Fine,” he grumbles. “We leave tonight.”
“What of the guards?” I protest. “We have to tell someone.”
His lip curls, venom spilling from his mouth. “If the High King can slither away unannounced, then so can we.”
“What about appearances?” I cock my head. “People will talk when they find out we’re gone. ”
Viridian’s voice loses its edge and is much lighter now. Calmer. More calculated. “Myrdin and Lymseia will tell them that I’ve taken you on a romantic getaway.”
“Oh, will they now?” I lean back, amused. “And where is it they’ll tell everyone we’ve gone?”
“That depends. Where would you like to go, Little Fawn?”
“I’ve heard the food in the Copper Court is to die for and that the fjords of the Silver Court are beautiful.”
“Hmm,” Viridian says, stroking his chin. “Visiting both would be quite the trip. Pick one, for now. Whichever one we don’t get to this time, will be our next hypothetical destination.”
The choice between delicious food and beautiful views is an easy one.
“Copper.”
Viridian smirks. “Then that’s where they’ll think we are.”
I almost feel the urge to smile.
We’re not really going to the Copper Court , I remind myself. And we won’t be going on any future trips together.
I still plan to escape. I will find Loren and set him free. After that, I’m not so sure what I’ll do. But I won’t be here.
My mouth tightens.
The thought doesn’t ring true like it used to.
“Come,” Viridian says, motioning for me to follow.
“Wait,” I say. “There are some things you should know first. ”
He stops and turns around to face me.
“A mining sickness is sweeping the land,” I tell him. “Miners are dying, and the metals are disappearing.”
“What?” Viridian steps forward. “How did you learn this?”
“I heard about the sickness before I left home. Miners my father works with—well, used to work with—were falling ill and dying every day.” I wrap my arms around myself. Worry for my father and Acantha tightens my chest. Not knowing how they are—if they’re well, or if they’re safe—eats me up inside.
He reaches for me, cupping my elbow. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“How could you?” I ask. My voice sounds empty, but not bitter.
“I should have made it a priority to find out.” Viridian’s resolve takes hold on his face.
My eyes find his, and he holds my gaze. I believe him.
“As for the metals disappearing,” I continue, looking away, “I overheard the High King speaking with some Heads of House.”
Viridian’s eyes widen. “This should have been discussed with the council.”
“The High King said he would discuss it with the council,” I say, recalling what I heard. “Did he not?”
“No.” Viridian’s anger returns to his expression. “He did not. ”
“Do you… Do you think it’s all connected to the dark magic?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” Viridian seems to sink deeper into himself. “It’s entirely possible.”
My heart rises to my throat. If they are all connected, that means whatever dark magic has its hold over the High King is the same dark magic that’s killing miners. The same dark magic that puts our livelihood at risk. That threatens my father’s life.
Now, there is so much more at stake.
And I’m just as desperate for the truth as Viridian.
He must know it, because he gestures for me to follow him again. “Come. Let’s see Myrdin and Lymseia.”
“ Y ou were in the East Tower?” Lymseia’s eyebrows rise. “You know it’s forbidden. Mischief, rule-breaking… I thought I might see this from you,” she says, pointing a finger at me, “but not from you , Viridian Avanos.”
“Lymseia!” Myrdin gasps. “You cannot speak like that to—”
“I don’t care who he is,” Lymseia snaps, jabbing a finger into Viridian’s chest. “ He disobeyed the High King.”
Myrdin opens his mouth.
“Enough,” Viridian bellows, power rippling from him. “I went into the East Tower. That’s the end of it.”
Lymseia clamps her mouth shut, annoyance brewing in her eyes and clear on her face.
“I take it that’s part of the reason you called us here,” Myrdin says, keeping his voice even.
“Yes. Cryssa and I are leaving High Keep,” Viridian says, like it’s non-negotiable. “Tonight.”
“What?” Lymseia’s voice cracks like a whip.
“It won’t be for long,” Viridian explains, holding up his palms. “A day or two at most.”
“Why?” Lymseia crosses her arms, her upper body rigid. “You owe us that.”
Viridian leans his head back and takes a deep breath. “There’s dark magic in the East Tower.”
“Dark magic?” All the irritation leaves Lymseia’s voice. Her face pales.
Myrdin touches his fingertips to his temple.
“Yes,” I interject. “Whatever it is, we think it’s infecting the land, too.”
“An unknown sickness is killing miners,” Viridian continues, “and if that wasn’t already bad enough, the mines are drained of metal.”
“How could the council not know of this?” Myrdin’s brows knit together.
“Because my father didn’t tell the council,” Viridian says, voice hardening. “He’s hiding something. And I fear whatever it is will be our ruin.”
“You’re leaving to find answers.” Understanding crosses Lymseia’s face, relaxing her mouth. “Where will you go? ”
“Into the city,” Viridian says. “Cryssa believes we may learn something from the people’s gossip.”
“You’ll be very exposed out in the city.” Lymseia’s steel gaze flicks to me and then back to Viridian. “Are you sure she can be trusted not to run?”
I tighten my mouth. Her distrust doesn’t surprise me. Nor does it offend me. She has every right to be suspicious of my loyalty. We’re not friends.
Yet.
Yet?
No. There is no “yet.” I won’t be here long enough for that. I’ll help Viridian get his answers, and then I’m leaving.
That’s still my plan.
Isn’t it?
“Yes.” Viridian’s voice is firm. “I trust her.”
My lips part in surprise. I look at him with my brows raised.
He doesn’t look at me, still focused on Lymseia.
“What do you need from us?” Myrdin asks, eyeing her.
“People at court will talk once they realize we’re gone,” Viridian says. “We need you to answer their questions. Tell them I’ve surprised Cryssa with a romantic getaway to the Copper Court.”
“Where in the Copper Court?” Myrdin asks.
“Not Redbourne,” Viridian reasons. “If word gets out, Uncle will know we weren’t there.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Myrdin agrees. “You can’t go to Redbourne and not visit my father.”
“Why not?” I ask.
Myrdin turns to me. “It would be rude not to visit the Head of House when visiting his home city.”
Lymseia wrinkles her nose. “Etiquette.”
I laugh.
“We’ll say you’re north of the city,” Myrdin says. “Near the border, somewhere quiet.”
“Excellent,” Viridian muses. His attention shifts. “Lymseia?”
“Yes,” she groans. “We’ll tell anyone asking where you are that you’re out frolicking on a romantic getaway north of Redbourne. All right?”
“Very well.” Viridian nods, looking as if he were far from here.
Myrdin places a hand on Viridian’s shoulder. “Find out what’s happening. We’ll be here when you need us.”
“Will do.” Viridian dips his head. “Thank you. Both of you.”
“You can thank me by staying out of trouble,” Lymseia says, putting her hands on her hips.
Viridian only grins, rolling his eyes.