‘I know,’ Kinlear said.
‘And I …’ His father’s milky eyes shone. ‘I may no longer be here.’
Ezer’s stomach sank to her toes.
But Kinlear showed not a hint of emotion.
‘Kinlear.’ The Queen suddenly stepped up.
She placed a tentative hand on his cheek. She frowned, disappointed in the son that would never wear the Lordachian crown. Kinlear was doomed for death no matter what the outcome was. It was the only reason they’d senthim …instead of Arawn. Instead of any other warrior.
‘I will never know why the gods willed you for this,’ the Queen said. ‘But if it must be so … do not fail. Do not squander your only chance at greatness.’
A spike of rage went through Ezer.
But Kinlear only chuckled, like the insult rolled off his shoulders. ‘I suppose that’s as heartwarming a goodbye as you’re capable of giving, Mother. I’ll carry it with me to the other side.’
Ezer hated them all suddenly.
She hated the Masters for how they punished with penance, showing no mercy for a single slip-up … but especially the King and the Queen. Because Kinlear was theirson. And in their eyes … he was expendable.
He was a lamb already headed for slaughter, so they were okay with sacrificing him early.
Six shielded her as she shifted, so that she and Ezer stood alone while the others said their goodbyes. And in that fleeting moment of solitude … Arawn stepped up beside her to say goodbye.
No one noticed them as he placed his hand on her cheek. His fingertips ran gently across her scars as he kissed her and whispered, ‘Ezer. Come back to me.’
‘I will,’ she said.
‘Promise me.’
And as she pulled away, suddenly she understood why some people lied to the ones they loved. It was wrong and it made her blood run cold and her insides twist, but she was certain it would be better for him. Better for the moments they’d shared and the hope she wanted to leave him with, so she looked into his eyes, and told him, ‘I promise.’
His smile made the lie hurt less.
She turned away and climbed onto Six’s back, where Kinlear already sat waiting. He frowned down at them, like he’d seen the kiss. Like heknewwhat had transpired between them in the wee hours of morning. He wrapped his arms around her middle, holding her closer than normal.
‘Goodbye, Brother,’ Kinlear said down to Arawn. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her. The way no one did for Soraya.’
The look of pain on Arawn’s face nearly had her climbing back down to him. Instead, Ezer turned Six away. Before she could stop herself, she clicked her teeth and urged Six into a run.
The fear chased her like a hungry wolf, and it sounded like her uncle’s voice.
You will fail.
You will die the moment you cross over that border, Little Bird.
The sky is a dangerous place for a girl without wings.
But she’d found her wings.
They were dark and wondrous and safe, and as Six reached the cliff’s edge and leapt into the waiting sky …
Ezer did not close her eyes.
She wanted to see it, wanted to taste it and dive headfirst into the fear that had followed her all the days of her life.
She should hate her uncle for the choices he made, the sins he’d committed in the name of protection. But for all the things Ervos hadsaid and done that were wrong … there was one thing he was right about, and Ezer still believed it in her bones.
