“If it’s Galen,” Sorin says, “I should be the one to go.”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’ll go.”
“Absolutely not,” Sorin grabs my arm and it’s only then I remember I’m in a gown.
“Well of course I’ll change first.” My attempt at humor goes unnoticed, Sorin’s gaze bouncing between me and Agnes. She’s curled up in a chair with a blanket across her legs. “The Stones are already packed. They must travel with Agnes. She can’t let them out of her?—”
“Elora.” Sorin’s voice is stern. Deep. “You’re not going alone. Don’t even suggest such a thing.”
“You have all spent the last few years protecting everyone around you. And we have”—I gesture to Sam and Tallulah—“have spent it hiding and silencing magick under the guise that it wasn’t our own to use.”
Sorin’s grip loosens around my arm.
I lean in close so only he can hear me. “I’m tired of running, Sorin. Tired of being afraid. Tired of being told what I can and cannot do.”
He flinches, moving his arm from me entirely.
“Get your mother and sister to safety. Get the Stones as far away from here as possible.” I slide my hand into his. “Let me do this.”
His brows pinch together, but I turn and slip out of the room without looking back.
After changing into my breeches,tunic, and cloak I’m teeming with anticipation to meet the wolves.
So far, we only see one.
Keep an eye on him.
Alaric responds with a huff of approval.
“Just wait.” Sorin grabs my arm as I turn for the bedroom door. “Please.”
The unease in his tone makes my stomach knot but there isn’t time to overthink what we do next. “I’m sorry about cutting the wedding short.” I lean into his touch. “Perhaps there will be time later?—”
“Come with us,” he says. “Let Thomas and Henry go in your stead. If the wolves join them, they can tell you what they see.”
My chest aches. The last thing I want to do right now is leave him. Especially with Agnes and her health.
“I have no doubt Thomas and Henry are wonderful swordsmen,” I say. “But they aren’t me.” They don’t possess a magick that’s far more destructive than any blade.
“And what is your plan should you run head first into Galen and his men?” His face twists a bit as I pull away, so I grab his hand. I bite my tongue so as not to tell him that is my exact hope.
“He put me through unimaginable things, Sorin.” I relax my shoulders. His dark eyes scour my face, but I try my best to feign as much confidence as I can to not worry him further.
“He hurt you,” I say, “but he destroyed me. In so many ways.”
Sorin stiffens under my touch.
“You wish to kill him.” He sighs before pressing the heel of his palms to his eyes. How many nights did he also lay awake, wondering if we’d see each other again? I may have been the one in a dungeon, but there are plenty of other ways to be caged.
“And what if I say yes?” My voice trembles. “What if that is exactly what I wish to do?”
His grip around my arm tightens so I shift closer, pressing my free hand to the side of his cheek. He kisses my forehead. “Then I’ll only be sad to miss it.”
“It isn’t like last time,” I whisper, knowing he’ll know exactly what I mean. Not like the time I traversed down a ditch to save Ruse.
“I’ll go with her,” Jarek says from the doorway, his boots creaking the floorboards beneath him. Sorin’s eyes are still on me when I turn to Jarek and nod.
“It should be me going.” Sorin kisses my knuckles.
