Chapter Ten [Mindfulness Affirmation Here]
The woods were especially dark without Sorrel. There was only a sliver of the moon in the sky, and an edge of fog had crept in among the tree roots. It was hard to know if I was going in the right direction.
I was eager to tell Draw everything Sorrel said.
It would calm him, give him the same certainty I now felt that he’d get through this alive.
Plus, it’d be like reliving the conversation through Draw’s perspective.
I couldn’t wait to know what he thought of her magicking furniture into existence in the middle of a dark wood.
Changing my outfit. Warming the air around us.
It didn’t cross my mind that he wouldn’t believe any of it—Draw had seen plenty of evidence by now. Besides, the way he looked at me made me suspect he would ascribe the value of gold to any word out of my mouth.
I spied a dot of campfire through the trees and corrected my course. My new cape fluttered behind me as I strode forward more confident I was heading the right direction to camp.
Sorrel had said love flowered between us. Did Draw feel the same way about me as I felt about him? I mean, he certainly showed me so in his bed. My cheeks warmed at the very recent memories.
How would he feel about the news that we were bound to be separated at the end of all this, neither able to exist in the other’s realm?
He had said it was better to be together while possible, but I hope he didn’t feel any form of regret.
My own disappointment at the news, well, I would to keep it to myself.
I finally reached the edge of camp. Nearly everyone had gone to bed, or at least into their tents. I didn’t meet another soul on my way to Draw’s tent.
I lifted the door and ducked inside. My lantern was the only one that lit the space. Draw’s was extinguished. The bed was how we’d left it, and his sitting desk was still scattered with quills and books. He was gone.
It couldn’t have happened already.
I darted outside and hissed his name. Checked around the sides of the tent.
In the event he had gone to my tent to wait for me, I dashed through camp. Inside my tent, my bedding and supplies were neatly laid out. It was clear no one had been there since the stewardesses had arranged it.
Draw couldn’t be gone. Ironclaw wouldn’t have acted so swiftly. He’d have arrangements to make, plans to think through. Draw and I had a few more days together, surely. We deserved a few more days.
As much as I could justify it, my pounding heart knew better. I couldn’t lie to myself. This was it. Draw was gone. Shame and fear and a bunch of emotions I couldn’t categorize welled up in me. Stupid. I had been so stupid to leave him alone.
There was only one person who could help me, who would know if Ironclaw had already gone.
This time I flat out ran, my boots digging into the fog-laden ground. I struggled to hold my lantern aloft and my satchel banged into my side as I sprinted, but I wouldn’t let anything slow me down.
The queen’s massive tent appeared before me. Worrisomely, no guard stood at the tent door. I let myself in and was met with a strange sight.
Queen Elthra, fourth of her name, Regal Protectress of Landsome was crying.
The queen didn’t cry. I’d read a number of scenes where she let her anger or pettiness get the better of her, but she never once cried.
Sir Key stood before her, his hands clutched stiffly at his sides, as if he didn’t know what to do. His scar was pale against his skin.
“Lady Dottie,” Queen Elthra said, half startled to see me.
She was wrapped in blue flannel pajamas.
Her stark blond hair was loose down her back.
Her nose was pink. She sniffed and coughed, then found her voice.
“The most terrible thing has happened.” It was only then I saw the muss of parchment in her hand.
A letter. “Sir Ironclaw has left us to battle the Dark Mage himself.” Her voice pitched.
“He’s going to get himself killed, the fool! ”
The lanterns stirred as the tent flaps parted and the night air rushed in. Lady Ariana arrived, Jerrald close behind her. I saw Jerrald’s face go tight with surprise, but Ariana had clearly been there earlier. She dashed to the queen’s side and knelt at her chair, light blue handkerchief in hand.
Jerrald’s and Sir Aaron’s eyes met. Some wordless conversation took place that I was not privy to.
“What of Lord Draw?” I said, too softly. “Did Ironclaw take Lord Draw?”
Queen Elthra wiped her eyes. Her brow furrowed. “What reason would he have to take a solicitor to battle?”
Ariana took the letter and scanned it. “He wrote nothing of Lord Draw.”
My hands went to my temples. “There was a prophecy. Ironclaw was going to take Lord Draw to the Dark Mage and trade him for the apprentice.” My voice caught. “I was supposed to protect Draw.”
Queen Elthra’s tears cleared while she calculated. “Sweet lords,” she cursed. “It’s his sister, isn’t it?”
Everyone looked between us in confusion, but I nodded, impressed she had guessed it as Ironclaw had. “The Lady Bianca is the apprentice. Ironclaw is planning to trade Draw for his sister, but it’s not going to work. Bianca is too far gone. He’s just going to get Draw tortured and killed.”
Ariana’s attention zeroed in on Jerrald. “Send riders after them. Our swiftest.”
The queen’s voice came in bitter agreement, “If Ironclaw won’t yield to reason, engage.”
Jerrald dashed out of the tent, but I knew it would be fruitless.
“We need to go ourselves, Your Grace.”
“We’ll double-time the march,” she agreed, already standing to action. “Pack through the night and urge the host forward at first light.”
“No, Your Grace.” I looked into her sky-blue eyes and saw a ruler there but also a young woman abandoned by her true love. “We have to go after Sir Ironclaw and Lord Draw now. You and me.”