Chapter 78 Caspian
Caspian
Ialways have a plan. I’m always two steps ahead.
And even now, with my sister holding a blade to her stomach and my mother’s black eyes burrowing into mine, I have a plan.
It’s just…everyone’s going to fucking hate it.
Stars, I hate it.
“You’ve nothing to offer me,” Sira snarls. “Watch your sister kill herself and know you could not save her.”
Rage boils within me. I’ll always protect Wrenley.
I’ve vowed it since Sira let a toddler stumble around Cryptgarden.
Birdy saved me in so many ways when I returned to the Below after my and Kel’s utter destruction.
I’m not sure who I would’ve become had I not spent so much of that time looking after her, teaching her to survive.
Learning that against all possible reason, my heart wasn’t completely out of love.
“I’ll give you what you’ve always wanted!” I plead.
Sira turns to Wrenley just as the sword punctures her armor, blood blooming from the metal. “Still your hand. If anything happens to me or anyone touches you, sink the blade deep into your heart.”
Wrenley stops, body trembling. Kairyn is near mad beside us, three Winter guards restraining him. His brother speaks to him in a low voice.
Rosie’s despair hits me like a wave. They were clever, those O’Connells.
Rosalina, mobilizing Kairyn to use his mate bond to break through the bargain’s concentration.
And Birdy, breaking the bow with Faustrius’s sword.
Unfortunately, that little trick won’t work again.
Sira’s mind will be as locked into Wrenley’s as a vise.
And my Flower never considered that Sira would kill her so-called daughter.
Never underestimate the cruelty of my mother.
Nothing to be done about it now but get this whole thing over with, I suppose.
“I’ll take over Wrenley’s bargain.” I step toward Sira. “Long ago, you let Aurelia trade her place for Rosalina. Let me take my sister’s place. You’ll have full control over me, like you always wanted.”
Surprise flashes in my mother’s eyes. Then a smile appears on her face. I’ve got her.
“Two conditions on my end. First, Wrenley goes free unharmed, and”—I heave in a breath—“allow me to say goodbye to my friends.”
“My darling boy,” Sira says, so softly it could almost be with love. “I knew you would return home to me. Very well. Say your goodbyes.”
I turn from her and the horrific image of my sister, blade to her gut.
First, I stand in front of Kairyn. “Mates with Birdy? Well, there are many things I wish I could say. I’ll start with this.
I don’t think you’re going to find a helm to cover your new headgear, so don’t be afraid to show her who you really are. Horns and all.”
Kairyn barely reacts, his focus wholly on my sister, no doubt trying to pierce her mind. His hands tremble within his chains. But Sira won’t let her control slip a second time.
I turn to the eldest Spring Prince, my reflection wavering in his golden armor. “Ezryn. How about a goodbye kiss?”
Ezryn shakes his head. “I know well the paths of the Below, little prince. I got you out before.”
The words touch something deep within me. But where I’m going, no one will be able to follow.
“Day,” I say, stepping to the next in line. “Sadly, I imagine you’ll have a better chance of winning our bet. I think I would’ve liked the end result even if you’d won though.”
Dayton gives me a rueful smile.
I turn to Farron. “Trust the fire in your heart. Your own fire. It’s stronger than you know.”
“I won’t let her hurt you,” he says, touching my arm.
The hardest goodbye is next. Silent, angry tears run down Rosalina’s cheeks, and I brush them away. “Tell me you have a plan, Cas.”
“I have a plan,” I say and kiss her softly, deeply. “I’m sorry.”
Keldarion is last. I shove my hands in my pockets and stare up at him. His face is twisted in torment and anger. What’s a hero supposed to do when he can’t commit a daring rescue?
“You were never going to betray us,” he says.
“Never.” I laugh, then drop my voice to a whisper. “I have one last thing to ask of you, my love.”
Keldarion draws me into his massive body, and my lips slide to his ear.
“You’re the only one strong enough to do this.
To spare Rosalina from this fate. Please, Kel, if you ever loved me, kill me as soon as I accept the bargain.
Kill me before she commands me to let the Green Flame take over.
Show me whatever is between us is real. Let your final act of loving me be a blade to my heart. Kill me if you ever loved me.”