“I’m sorry,” she sobbed into the dead room, her voice echoing, small and brittle. Everything she should be the opposite of.
She pressed her palms into her face and sank to the floor.
I don’t know what to do, Mom.
Sol felt, more than heard, him beside her. The soft crackle of his Wards hummed, the soft violet light shining in the night even through her covered eyes.
“Sol.” He wrapped his hands around her forearms, gently guiding them down to her lap. With an edge of worry in his tone, he lifted her chin with his fingers, and said, “It’s going to be okay.”
She sobbed harder, finally releasing the dam of emotions she had repressed since the trials started. “How are we going to get out of this, Cas?” Sol gazed into him, searching for whatever truth his eyes held.
But, as always, he seemed relaxed, not at all worried about themorning’s dance to the gallows. His silver eyes explored every edge of her face, finally landing on her lips. “You will live.”
“And you?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Sol clenched her jaw. “It does.”
His features darkened, Shadows suddenly pooling around them. The cool mist was a relief against her warming skin, especially as Cas ran his hand across her cheek to fix a lock of hair behind her ear.
Sol leaned into the touch.
“I distinctly remember saying those you love matter, Princess.” The word reverberated through her bones, as he continued, “Are you trying to tell me something?”
Breath hitching and heat pooling in her chest, Sol eased back, away from his touch. “I will not raise my blades against you tomorrow.”
Cas dropped his hands, but his gaze lingered on her lips. “I’m afraid you already have.”
Forty Five
THE FINAL DUEL
IT HAD BECOMEnatural for Sol not to sleep. She spent the whole night sick to her stomach, opening the windows to feel the breeze, and then wondering if a fall from so high would kill her. She constantly glanced at Cas's own open window stories below, stupidly wishing he would be looking for her too. He’d chosen a room on the third floor, which had been disappointing. Not that she wanted him in her room, but the one next to hers would have been nice.
Keep telling yourself that.
The hope that he would come find her lingered all night, keeping her awake more than the brewing anxiety. But he didn’t. Not through his window or her door, not even a single Shadow all night. When the birds began to chirp outside, signaling the imminent sunrise, Sol went from being sad he hadn’t sought her out to pissed.
It could be their last day on Erriadin, and the man still wouldn’t make a move. He had been so sweet, only to leave her with a thirst she had never had the discomfort of feeling before. Sol might be naive and inexperienced when it came to magic and politics, but she knew when someone liked her.
She decided to go in a more tactical outfit for the day, a pair of leather breeches and a flowy white blouse bound tightly by a black chest cover and waist belt to hold her knives. Hopefully, she wouldn't need them.
She was lacing up her boots when a soft knock sounded at her door, making her heart stammer. Cas waited a few seconds before easing the door open.
He wore his usual outfit, an all-black tactical suit with a purple chest band holding his sword to his back. Leaning on the doorframe, his gaze roved her over. “Rimemere fashion suits you, Princess.”
She continued working the ends of her lace but spared him a slight side smile. “It’s grown on me, I guess.”
They spent the remaining time before sunrise in the kitchen, eating leftover berries, but Sol couldn’t stomach much of anything. They made small conversation—nothing as vulnerable as the night before.
That’s how she could tell he was nervous.
The carriage was just as somber. For thirty minutes she watched the forest pass, the little animals zoom in and out of the road, and the grass swaying with the lazy, late-spring breeze. Sol couldn’t help the flicker of joy she felt when the Rimemere castle finally came into view. Even from a distance, it was obvious crowds had gathered around the courtyards.
“What is the final duel?” Sol asked. “Like a fight?”
Cas also peered out the window from his spot in front of her. “It changes every time.”
