Chapter 10 #2
I throw my silk up into the trees, using my magic to guide it around a high branch. “Wrap your arms around me,” I whisper to him.
Sebastian doesn’t question it. His arms close around my waist, his body pressed against mine.
I pull on the silk, using my magic to amplify my strength. We rise into the air, swinging up into the canopy.
Below us, guards pour into the clearing where we just stood. Their torches illuminate the area. I hold my breath. Sebastian seems to do the same. I stay as still as possible, shutting my eyes, praying that they don’t look up.
“I was sure I saw movement. They must have gone this way!” one shouts, and they run in the opposite direction to the one we are going in.
Kakara be thanked.
We stay frozen in the tree for a few beats until all is quiet.
After a time, Sebastian touches the side of my arm.
I nod, stepping from the branch. I manipulate the air around me, using it to hold me up. I gesture to Sebastian to step from the branch. He hesitates, taking in a big breath, then he does as I ask and steps off. He drops an inch before I catch him, using my magic to lower us to the ground.
He frowns because this is not the magic of the shadowfae. He glances at my ears, which look human, and his frown deepens.
“Which way?” I whisper.
“Follow me.”
We move through the forest, staying off the main path. Sebastian seems to know exactly where he’s going, navigating by moonlight.
After what feels like a long time, we reach a river.
In the far distance, the bells continue to clang, but of the shadowfae guards, there is no sign.
We walk along the riverbank. My feet are dirty and sore, but I ignore my minor aches and pains.
We’re alive. We’re free. That’s what matters.
It doesn’t take long before a cabin appears through the trees. The scent of fire clings to the air. Sebastian approaches the door and knocks twice.
Within heartbeats, a human lady opens. She smiles, her eyes crinkling around the edges. She’s tall and lean, wearing men’s clothing.
I like her on sight.
“Your Majesty.” She drops into a deep curtsy. “My name is Julienne. I am at your service. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Please, there’s no need for that, Julienne,” Sebastian says. “I’m grateful for your help.”
The woman rises, her eyes moving to me. She looks confused. “I see you brought a friend. Come in, both of you. Quickly.”
We step inside. The cabin is warm and cozy, with a fire burning in the hearth. There’s something bubbling in a pot. It smells so good that my mouth waters.
I hadn’t even realized that I was so hungry. I’m thirsty too.
The woman closes the door, bolting it securely. “You made it. Kakara be thanked.” She touches her heart before running her hand through graying hair. She looks to be around fifty, maybe older.
“That was close.” Sebastian turns to me as we walk inside. “We got lucky. I got lucky. You saved me,” he tells me, looking unsure.
“You saved me a few times as well,” I tell him, smiling.
He turns to Julienne. “Are we safe here, or do we need to hide? There were guards not one click from here.”
“Belen will advise them to keep their search away from here. I have bells that will alert us if anyone comes close. You can relax,” she tells us, looking from Sebastian to me and back again. “What is your name?” Julienne asks me.
“Yes, what is your name?” he asks, frowning. “I am Sebastian. We haven’t formally met.”
“Oh.” Julienne looks unsure.
“Hi.” I wave my hand, quickly dropping it, feeling foolish. “Um…” I clear my throat. “It’s Isla,” I tell them. “Glad I could help you.” I smile at Sebastian, but it’s hesitant because I’m unsure of why he’s looking at me with such intensity.
“That was some impressive magic-wielding. What are you exactly?” His words are hard; they hold accusation.
“Um…shadowfae…” I let my words die when his eyes narrow.
“I can understand that when I asked you earlier, it wasn’t the right time, but…I need to know. You’re not purely shadowfae.” When I don’t answer, he asks, “Why did you rescue me? Who sent you?” His voice turns gruff.
I swallow thickly. “Why are you acting this way? You were quite happy to let me rescue you not so long ago. You even held my hand, and now you’re looking at me like I’m the enemy. I’m not.”
“I let you rescue me because it was that or face recapture. You turned out to be the lesser of two evils. I held your hand because I didn’t want to accidentally step out of your shadows. We’re not suddenly going to be lovers just because I held your hand.”
I gasp. “That’s not what I meant at all.”
“No matter. I need to know why you risked life and limb to save me.”
I feel blood rush to my face. “I don’t know why I did it.” I shrug. “I felt like I had to. You are the king, after all. I heard that Queen Snow was on her way. They’re saying she’s planning on putting you to death.” I lick my lips. “No one sent me. I came of my own accord.”
He pushes out a breath and doesn’t look impressed or grateful. I see nothing but distrust in his eyes. He still thinks I’m lying.
“It’s the truth.” I insist, wincing because that’s exactly what I would say if I were lying.
“So, you did this out of the goodness of your heart? What are you? You appear to be human but…” He cocks his head. “You are magically gifted, so you can’t be. You said shadowfae, but then…your magic isn’t all shadowfae. And your ears…” He frowns. “Are you part witch? Something else?”
I shake my head and make a small snorting noise. “I’m a fool, is what I am,” I say in a quiet voice. “I should have left you to rot. I thought that you were a… Never mind.”
I thought he was kind, noble, and a little bit broken. In truth, when it comes to the latter, I believed Sebastian to be very much like me, but it turns out that I was wrong on all counts.
He might be beautiful to look at, but he isn’t the male I thought he was. Not by half.
I meant what I said. I should have left him to Snow. He would have deserved it.
Even as I think it, I know it isn’t true.