Chapter Sixty-Eight
Pace
“We need to move,” Malin warns.
Lars nods to Varic, and my blood runs cold as my speed Guard holds his hands out in question, and I nod in assent, though I do not wish to be parted from any of them again.
The amber shield expands to cover Lars and me as his strong arms encircle my body, leaving just enough time for me to snag Varic’s eyes and yell, “Hurry!”
Varic gives me one last glance in assurance before gesturing to the rest of my Guards to run after us.
Lars holds me close as everything blurs and the force of his power twists my stomach. We come to an abrupt halt and stall as the knob won’t turn to allow us entrance into the castle.
My pulse slows until a familiar purple mist rises, infiltrating the keyhole until the lock clicks.
Lars tightens his grip with the arm bracing me to his chest and twists the knob before speeding us down the hallway.
A heart-sinking feeling infiltrates my being as I try to look over his shoulder when the amber shield dissipates, having lost Varic somewhere behind us.
Lars stops before a random door and tries the handle, then spins us inside when it opens. He sets me down to close the door behind us, and I wait for my eyes to adjust and ensure we did not just wander into a room containing other beings.
Moonlight filters in through the large square window and highlights the outline of the same set of furniture found in my guest suite—begging the question of why this room was left unlocked when my own required a key to enter.
And why, if the others followed directly behind us, have they yet to find us with Malin using his power to detect where we went? I release a breath and ask, “Do we know anything about who set off the explosion?”
“I sped everyone from the stage to the clearing, where we didn’t encounter anyone until you and the Prince arrived, so we haven’t had the ability to learn anything.” Lars pries his mask from his face, leaving a subtle indentation from the hem running across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
“Did you see where they took the Emperor?” I fold my arms over my chest and back up to lean against the mattress.
Lars’ broad shoulders rise and drop just as quickly as he turns around without facing me, appearing to be lost in a trance as he paces along some line only he seems to be capable of seeing.
He squares his shoulders and furrows his brow, proving this movement isn’t enough to calm his fears, as the rest of my Guards take far longer to find us than I would have expected.
Yet I do not dare imbue him without his agreement, and he is sure to reject any offer I make.
“He’s safe, Lars,” I try, though verbal assurance is not my strength. “They’re being cautious—I promise. He’ll be here any second.”
Lars’ eyes flash with alarm, then not even a second later, a blanket of fear envelops him.
I slip off the bed and creep across the carpet, only to reach for him when a specific knock comes from the other side of the door. Lars’ demeanor shifts as purple mist floats in to turn the lock, with his grin widening the moment Malin, Cirrin, Fray, and Varic stride in.
Lars steps back while Varic closes the door behind him, gingerly turning the lock before pressing his ear to the seam.
Malin nods at Lars, then lowers his mask, allowing it to pool around his neck.
Fray moves to the window, while Cirrin comes to stand near me as each of them removes their masks to store within their leathers, awaiting further instruction with solemn expressions.
Lars practically shakes, while Malin pales enough to be noticeable in the dim light of the moon.
“Will you two stop being cagey and hug already?” I cast my gaze from Lars to Malin.
Then the rest of us gape over at them when Malin is the first to take action—closing the distance for Lars to pull him into a tight embrace. Whispers pass between them, and my heart squeezes when a small sob leaks from Lars’ chest as he tightens his grip around Malin.
I avert my eyes to give them the same privacy they’ve given me while straining my hearing to keep from deciphering any of their words.
My body screams with the need to seek a bathing chamber, and I tread forward, making a giant arc around the Guards who hold each other on my way toward the door I assume to be what I seek.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Varic rasps, with his apparent attempt at playfulness coming out coarser than intended.
“To the bathing chamber. Care to join?”
He nods, and my cheeks heat, not knowing what I was expecting, though my own attempt at matching his with playful banter clearly didn’t land the way I meant it to either.
My hands shake when I readjust my skirts before exiting the water closet, only to clench them into fists with the difficulty of sharing this small space the moment Varic and I make eye contact. His eyes cast down where he remains by the door, and I approach the sink.
“I’m sorry for—”
“No,” I cut him off, shutting off the faucet and grabbing a blue hand towel.
“Tasch, please—”
“No.”
His shoulders drop before he rakes his hand through his hair, his gaze still trained on the floor as I stride forward, eliciting a gasp once he notices how close I have come.
“You had every right to be angry and defend me. I do not accept your apology, because if you are sorry for the way you reacted—then you were lying about your feelings for me.”
He stares back with raised brows and something else swirling behind his irises.
“You once told me I was wrong,” I say, and he laughs. “And you were right.”
Newfound understanding flickers across his eyes, while my own narrow in mock admonishment.
“And now I get to turn your message back on you, because this time you are wrong. You are not sorry, and you needed to expel the fury you felt when he flew away with me. Then you needed to act in my defense once he brought me back.”
He shakes his head with a grin forming.
I step closer and lift my chin in challenge. “Admit it. Admit I am right this time.”
A smile breaks across his face as he shakes his head. “Fine. You are right, Tasch.” Narrowing his eyes, he adds, “This time.”
“Thank you for acknowledging,” I say, heart squeezing. “Now, let’s try to determine how we can survive the night.”
I turn toward the door, which he rushes to open, smiling as he gestures for me to go first in a moment which almost feels normal despite the circumstances.
Fray’s voice carries as we near my Guards, who all huddle together. “I can do it.”
“Do what?” I ask while Varic moves closer to the door, maintaining his shield over me, equally comforting as it is protective.
“Take you somewhere safe,” Varic answers, crossing his arms over his chest while staring back.
“No,” I say.
Varic raises his brows, then releases a breath.
“There are too many risk factors to keep you here. Without any knowledge of who set the bomb, whether they are still here, or if they fled or died in the blast. Nor if there are more planted which could be anywhere in or near the castle—it’s simply too dangerous. ”
“Where would you send me?”
“With me,” Fray explains.
“Meaning you plan to take me somewhere in or near Annovia, since it must be within flying distance, and this location is somehow safer than a fortified castle?”
“Yes, because it is a Dragon den,” Malin states, and cold water runs through my veins.
“An Annovian Dragon den? Where we will be burnt alive the moment we arrive?”
“The Annovian Dragons have agreed to harbor you in case of emergency,” Fray says.
I lean forward and look up at him with emphasis. “Explain.”
“Sutrea has secured your safety there, should we ever need it,” Fray explains.
“Your blood-bound Dragon has ensured my safety with the Annovian Dragons?” I ask.
Fray nods.
“You’ve been sneaking out to discuss this with your Dragon while I lie sleeping.”
Fray shrugs, and I turn to Varic, whose shoulders remain squared.
“We were not going to bring you here without contingency plans for your safety,” Varic explains.
I hold my hands up to stop him. “I am sure you have all put a lot of thought into this, except you seem to be forgetting how the Emperor will react once he finds me missing.”
“You won’t be missing. We will have enacted a plan to keep you safe, as we have sworn to do,” Varic argues as fear spears my middle.
Shattered glass. Varic’s panicked expression as he screams at Fray to fly.
Strong arms envelop me. Too tight. I can’t escape.
“Fray! No! Stop! We can’t leave them!”
I shake my head and flick my gaze to Varic’s.
“You are capable of logic. However, the tyrant is not. Your role is to keep me safe, and I would argue that feeling safe is important.” Varic nods, brows knitting in the center as I take a step toward him, eyes pleading.
“I do not feel safe reliving the night Fray had to fly us to the safe house.” My voice cracks, and realization washes over his features. “I feel safest if we stay together.”
His eyes dart around the room, seemingly considering other options.
“Lars,” Varic says, and Lars’ head swivels to meet him. “Do you think you can sneak outside to learn what you can from those working at the blast site and make it back here safely?”
Lars nods once as I stalk toward him.
“Hey.” I take hold of Lars’ arm and squeeze, encouraging his piercing blue eyes to look at me. “Be careful,” I say, and his cheeks fold back in an ornery smile. “I’m serious.”
He pats my hand before pulling away to open the door. “I’m always careful.” He winks at me, then lifts his gaze to Malin before disappearing in a bright red streak, leaving a faint impression, slowly dissipating in his absence.