Chapter 28
Lucy: Unwelcome News
Lucy kept stealing glances at Sebastian as they made their way back to the palace.
She thought she’d caught him doing the same thing a time or two, but she gave herself a firm mental shake as they stepped into their studio.
Stop it, Lucy. He’s not for you and at the end of the night, you’re going to have to leave him again.
She gripped the edge of her worktable, stricken at the thought.
But you don’t have to. This voice was smaller but more insistent. You could stay. Let him fight your battles, like he said he would.
For a moment, Lucy let herself imagine staying with Sebastian.
They’d work together to open up the shop he’d always wanted and she could paint while he designed, just as they’d done during the competition.
Their creations would be the talk of Moyar, if not all of Afeyra.
But, as much as the thought of staying with him made her insides warm, Sebastian’s words floated into her mind.
“I will always try to protect you. Whether it’s from a mad band of thieves or a rampaging werewolf, I would lie down my life to save yours in a heartbeat. ”
The thought was like a someone had thrown an ice-cold bucket of water over her.
He’d meant those words. She knew that in her heart, just as she knew her name was Lucy.
Sebastian would fight to the death for her.
He would try to protect her, but no matter what he did, Thaddeus would never let her go.
If the last few days had shown her nothing else, it had revealed his obsession.
He would kill Sebastian and anyone else she loved to get her.
No. She wouldn’t let that happen. The best thing she could do to protect him was to let him go.
That thought was so depressing that she couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Sebastian frowned and left his work table to lace his fingers through hers. “What’s wrong, vixen?”
For a moment, Lucy considered making an excuse, but she immediately dismissed it. He didn’t deserve lies or half-truths. She owed him at least that much. “I’m just…sad. Because I have to leave after the last task is done.”
Sebastian froze, gaping at her. “W-what?”
Lucy looked at her feet. “It’s not safe for me to stay with you. Not for me, and definitely not for you.” Her voice came out as a whisper. “I’m done putting myself and everyone I love in danger.”
“That’s a bunch of gargoyle sh—” Sebastian stopped himself at the last minute, seeing her shrink away from his shouts. He took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. “That’s ridiculous, Lucy. Didn’t I just tell you I’d always protect you?”
“And I’m trying to protect you!” Lucy shot back. Now she was shouting. “You said you’d lay your life down for me. I won’t lose you. Not if I can stop it. Thaddeus will kill you if I stay here.”
“Just let him try,” Sebastian growled. “I won’t let him lay a finger on you or me.”
He reached for her, but she took a step back as a tear slipped down her face. “You can’t—”
“Lucy.” He squeezed her hand. “Between me and Robin, we will absolutely keep him away from you. Don’t you trust me?”
“You? Absolutely. Thaddeus?” She shuddered.
“He is ruthless. You didn’t see the beating Judah got after he pulled him off of me.
Thaddeus gave him that beating for an act he doesn’t even remember.
And it would be so much worse for you, because he knows I—” She stopped herself.
She couldn’t say those words. Not now. Not when she was about to leave.
Sebastian studied her. “He knows you what?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lucy shook her head frantically. “No. It doesn’t matter.”
“It absolutely matters. What were you about to say, vixen?” Sebastian murmured, reaching out to cup her chin.
Lucy’s cheeks went scarlet. “I—”
“Red Riding Hood?” They turned to see a messenger dressed in the emperor’s livery. He glanced between the two before his eyes settled on Lucy. “That would be you, I’m guessing?”
“You’d guess correctly,” Lucy said, pulling away from Sebastian. The scene felt uncomfortably like the day Thaddeus had taken her back to the grove. “What can I do for you?”
“I have a message for you.” He held out an envelope. “The sender said it was urgent.”
Sebastian and Lucy shared a glance. “Alright. Let me have it.” Without hesitation, she tore open the envelope and read the note inside.
Lucy,
Your grandmother has taken a turn for the worse. Please come immediately.
There was no signature. Still, her heart had all but stopped beating and she could barely speak.
“Lucy?” Sebastian had moved to her side without her noticing it. “What’s wrong?”
Lucy shook her head and showed him the note. She couldn’t speak for the lump in her throat.
Sebastian frowned at the scrap of paper. “This sounds rather dire. Who sent it?” He directed the last question to the messenger.
The lad shrugged. “Some man. Spoke funny. With an accent.”
Avelar. It had to be. He spoke with a distinct accent. And he had been looking in on her grandmother from time to time.
Sebastian, however, didn’t seem to think so. His frowned deepened. “Describe him.”
The lad froze at the question. “I…er…I—”
“We don’t have time for this,” Lucy said, shaking off her stupor. She gave a shaky half-smile to the boy. “Thank you for the message. You’re dismissed.”
The boy nodded, relieved to be out of Sebastian’s fierce gaze, and all but scuttled out of the room. Sebastian, however, didn’t stop frowning. “I had questions for him. We have no idea who sent that note.”
“It was probably Avelar. Or someone who works under him,” Lucy shrugged.
She hurried to her table, where her satchel lay, untouched.
“I have to go. I need to be there for her…someone from the family should be.” Even if you’re not really part of her family.
She shook away the thought as useless. “You’ll have to do today’s entry without me. ”
Sebastian shook his head. “No. That’s not—”
Lucy whirled on him. “You heard Robin. You don’t know if you’ve won outright yet, so you have to finish today’s design.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Sebastian asked. “I can—”
“No.” Lucy swallowed hard. “No, I can go alone.” She glanced out the window to where the sun still hung high in the sky.
“As long as it’s daylight, I’m safe out there.
” She opened her satchel and thrust her sketchpad into Sebastian’s hands.
“Use something from here for today’s entry, won’t you?
And you have to win. Just to show your father that he was wrong. ”
Sebastian barely looked at the pad in his hands. “Lucy, I—”
She shook her head. “Please. Not now.” She cupped his cheek. “Your design is going to be amazing. I know it.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed the opposite cheek.
Sebastian held his hand over the one cupping his cheek. “I’ll come to the cottage as soon as I’m done here,” he promised.
Lucy frowned. “That’s unnecessary. I’ll be fine.”
“Yes. It is.” Something burned in Sebastian’s eyes as he pressed his lips against Lucy’s palm. “I’m not letting you go without a fight, love. Not now. Never. You can trust that, even if you can’t trust anything else.”
Tears burned in Lucy’s eyes, but she didn’t stop to acknowledge his words.
Reluctantly, she stepped away from him and moved to the studio door.
She looked back at him, at the way he was staring at her.
He offered her a small smile, but she couldn’t return it.
Not if she was going to go through with her plan.
Instead, she raised a hand and gave a small wave before hurrying down the hallway.
“I’ve got to go. Got to grab my bag and get to Gran’s,” she murmured to herself as she hurried down the hallway. She let her feet lead her back to their quarters of their own accord as she struggled to make a plan. She could do this. No. She had to do this.
And, she realized as she stepped into their quarters, it would be an easy way to put her original plan into action.
Once she’d gotten her grandmother situated, one way or the other, she could make her escape.
No one would look for her, not if they knew she had an ill family-member. It would be fine.
Still, she almost burst into tears when she saw the golden sheen around her bedroom door, the outward appearance of Sebastian’s protection spell.
She was going to miss him desperately. This time would be worse than last time, she knew.
Last time, she’d had hope that he would come for her, apologize for his cruel words…
words that she now knew weren’t even his.
But this time, she was doing the leaving, and she knew she wouldn’t see him again.
Lucy tried to shake away the melancholy that seeped into her at the thought.
It was for the best; she knew that. She couldn’t put him or her family in danger anymore.
Even though he’d promised to protect her, she knew Thaddeus better than he did.
She knew how deadly his wrath was, and, worse, what he would do if he didn’t get what he wanted.
Haphazardly, she stuffed her toiletries into her pack and slung it across her back.
For the first time, she was thankful that she hadn’t bothered to unpack, even if it had made her clothes a little more rumpled than was strictly acceptable.
She looked around the small room fondly, wishing she could have stayed just a little longer, before she gave her head a gentle shake.
This was no time for wishing. She had to go. Now.
She opened her bedroom door and almost ran into Robin, who had been pressed up against the golden shield, like a bug squashed on a window. “Robin! What are you—”
“Get me out of this thing,” he said, his words muffled slightly.
Lucy considered the problem, then gave the prince a firm but gentle shove. He stumbled backwards, but righted himself before he fell. “Thank you for that. I was going to leave something in your room, but something was blocking the way.”
Lucy frowned at him. “You mean you can’t see the protection spell?”
“What protection spell?” Robin asked, curiously.
“The one around our bedroom doors,” Lucy said, gesturing to the glow. “I think Sebastian cast them last night.”
Robin shook his head. “I believe he cast it, but I can’t see it. I didn’t know anyone could see protection spells.” He studied her. “It must be a kitsuné thing.”
“Maybe,” Lucy agreed. She cocked her head. “You said you were going to leave something in my room?”
“Oh, yes.” Robin shifted from foot to foot. “Well, I was going to leave you a note, but I suppose this is better. Would you join me for dinner this evening?”
A knot formed in the pit of Lucy’s stomach. “Your highness, I’m flattered, but—”
“Oh, no. Starkind, no.” Robin’s cheeks grew red. “No offense, but you’re my…well, let’s just say that I can explain more this evening. I’m sure you need to go back to Sebastian for the rest of the task.”
Lucy shook her head. “I can’t. I have to go to my gran. She took a turn for the worse.”
“Oh. I see. Well, don’t let me keep you. Go on and be there for her. My news can wait for later. I wish you a safe journey,” Robin said with a low bow.
Lucy offered another half smile. “Er…thank you.” She couldn’t bring herself to tell him he wouldn’t see her later. “Have a good day, your highness.”
“You as well, Red Riding Hood,” Robin said with a little chuckle.
Lucy left him in her quarters and hurried down the hall.
She couldn’t stop for any more interruptions.
She needed to see her grandmother and then…
well, she’d disappear. It was the right thing to do, she knew. If only her heart believed it.