I don’t have the energy to argue anymore. Kyle seems to take my silence as acquiescence. He stands, picking me up at the same time. ‘C’mon, hold tight.’
I uncurl the fingers of one hand, snaking it around his neck. He starts to run. I hold on as best I can. We speed into the night, and there’s a floating sensation as we clear the fence surrounding the estate. Home. I’m home.
I don’t want to be here. Don’t want to be any part of what Raven represents. I don’t want to see my parents, either. I just want to go straight to my room, grab my bag, and head over the fence once more. Kyle is still running, moving swiftly between the trees. We’re so close, I can see the walls of the house through the branches. Almost there.
Almost.
‘Halt!’
Shitshitshit.
Panic thrums through me, a boost of adrenaline. There’s a whooshing noise and a rattle of branches. Several guards appear. Kyle sets me down, then steps back, his arms raised. A guard grabs him, putting him in an arm lock. Double shit.
‘My lady!’ The other guards bow, realising who I am. Bertrand isn’t among them, thank darkness – he’d see through me in a second.
‘Let him go.’
The guard holding Kyle hesitates before releasing him. ‘My lady, we’ve been searching for you.’
Shit. I’m trembling, close to dropping. But I need to get us through this.
‘You have?’ I hit just the tone I want, between surprised and slightly annoyed at their presumption. ‘Was I missing?’
Kyle coughs. I try not to look at him.
‘Your mother has asked for you.’
Oh my god and darkness, my parents are back already.
‘I’ve only been for a run on the estate. With Kyle.’ Shit. I don’t need to justify myself.
‘But none of us could find you, and?—’
‘Well, maybe you should have looked more thoroughly.’ I fix the guard who spoke with a look. A look that saysdo not question me. It seems to work.
‘Of course, my lady. I’m sorry.’
I relax slightly. ‘As am I. I didn’t mean to worry anyone. Kyle, if you will?’ I’m all icy politeness, and hope he gets it.
‘My lady.’ Kyle picks me up again, reaching the looming bulk of the house in seconds, the open door a pale rectangular glow. Two guards are waiting there, more stationed in the shadows along the portico. Kyle puts me down at the top of the steps and we enter the foyer. Bertrand is waiting, his huge arms folded. I sigh.
‘My lady.’ He bows, then straightens, his gaze travelling over us both. His eyes narrow.
‘I’m going to my room.’ I start for the stairs.
‘Your mother is waiting.’
I stop, my mouth trembling. I stare at Bertrand.
‘For both of you,’ he says, his voice gentle. ‘In the library.’ He pauses. ‘Perhaps you’d like to get changed before seeing her?’
Shit. I realise I’m still wearing the borrowed dress. And Kyle isn’t in his guard uniform. He realises at the same time as I do, his eyes widening slightly. ‘If you’ll excuse me,’ he says, then is gone in a flash.
I turn to Bertrand, trying to seem dignified. His arms are still folded, concern on his face. But all I say is, ‘Of course.’
I change quickly, throwing the borrowed dress in the bottom of my wardrobe. Bertrand, who’s been waiting outside my door, escorts me to the library. I’m so weary I can barely put one foot in front of the other, but force myself to keep going. I need to get through this, then go. The large doors are ajar, my parents’ personal guards standing either side. Anger rises. A black meadow and a boy on a rock flashes into my mind. I hold onto it as I step into the room.
Well, shit.
