Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ASHLYN
Amber morning light flooded the room.
I made it through the night.
I felt fine. I felt like me.
Fyn rose from the floor at the base of the bed. “You look almost normal in the morning light.”
“Almost normal is exactly what I’m going for.” My words broke through a long yawn.
Sunlight slipped in between the ivory curtains and heated my skin.
“I’m serious, your eyes seem as they were,” he said.
My heart thrummed as I let myself feel each breath—as I ran my fingers over my ears. “I’m fine.”
“You’ve decided to continue.” He held my gaze as his words grew heavier. “And nothing I can say to you will change that?”
My chest ached. Not from the starlight I almost destroyed myself with, but from the truth I now knew.
It couldn’t exist—I wouldn’t let it. Whatever I thought I felt would have to vanish. I couldn’t let my chance at returning to the human realm slip away from me.
I shook my head. “I have. I need to see if my future is there.”
His heavy exhale snapped through the silence. “I’ll step out so you may change. I will let my men know we will cross.”
“Fyn.” I waited for him to look back at me. “You don’t think I should go, do you?”
“You know the answer to that.” He stretched his arms behind his back. “I’m honoring your choice. I always will.”
He did. He always did. Acknowledging it somehow made it worse. My mind slowly drifted to the memory of his heartbeat.
I needed to forget it.
“If I don’t see it for myself, if I don’t at least consider it. I’ll regret it.” I’d never stop wondering what my life would be like there. I’d spent too many months feeling like I was disappearing.
Fyn’s hand hovered on the door before he slipped out into the hall.
The look on his face before he turned from me was etched into my memory as I braided back my hair. He had never looked that way at me before.
I tried to tuck the extra fabric of my fresh tunic into the leather bodice before I grabbed my bag and my sword.
A painful pull throbbed inside of me.
Fyn deserved to be free of me. Soon, he would be.
When I stepped into the hall, he went back into the room to change. Moments later, he stepped back out again. “Would you like to get checked out again before we leave?”
“It isn’t necessary.”
“Estlen it is then.” He clipped his sword into his belt. “Hana, the innkeeper, prepared breakfast for the road. Do you need anything else?”
I shook my head.
He stepped down the stairs ahead of me. “We’re not that far from the divide.”
The tavern was silent as we passed it and stepped back out the door.
In hours we’d be in Estlen.
Our horses were already saddled. Fyn braced me as I climbed up on Ivy, his gaze and mine intertwined as I settled.
“They’re waiting for us up ahead.” He led the way down the quiet morning street.
We passed the wagons that carried more ore before I saw the glittering golden wall that shone between this world and the one I came from.
Its magic kept out those who didn’t belong—the fae’s defense from my kingdom’s hunger for war. Lioran gave his magic to build it, and ever since, it responded to his command. Without him opening the gate, I’d never be able to pass through into the human realm again.
The divide swayed in the wind as Fyn rode closer to it. I looked back at the fae village and the forest that held the starlight, before I slowly led my horse forward.
“Your Highness.” A warrior bowed his head to me. The others followed. “I’m Edward. This is my party. We’ll see you safely to the palace in Estlen. Our men have made the journey before. You’re in good hands.”
I looked to Fyn for his approval.
“They are my men and will give you added protection in Estlen,” Fyn said.
I led my horse behind his, clutching her reins too tightly until my nails poked into my palm.
The golden light was broken in a section of the divide. The human realm was visible on the other side.
Fyn gestured the group ahead of us. I held my breath, clutching the satchel under my arm as we passed underneath the gate.
When we had safely crossed, a man brought his horse before us on the other side. “You must be the Lord Chancellor. I am Lord Remus, the king’s Seneschal. It is an honor to finally meet you.”
“It is an honor to meet you as well.” Fyn’s shoulders squared back. “My men and I will escort Princess Ashlyn through Estlen.”
Lord Remus bowed his head. “Your Highness, we are pleased to receive you as our guest.”
I lifted my chin. “I am most eager to see your kingdom.”
“Will we be at the palace by nightfall or have preparations been made for the princess’s lodging?” Fyn asked.
“If you can all ride through the day, we should make it just after the sun sets,” the lord replied. “My men are just up ahead on the path, and they will provide added protection for the princess’s escort.”
“I am grateful, thank you, Lord Remus.” I tried not to let my nerves show. It seemed like an impossible feat when my fingers trembled. “I will require rest before I meet the prince.”
“Your maid will be ready to receive you,” Lord Remus said. “You may rest and prepare as you require before meeting the prince in the morning. He expects you’ll be too exhausted for an audience when you arrive.”
I was relieved to hear it.