Dahlia had no choice.
She tossed the blade into the snow and took a step toward them, her legs trembling. The snow and wind tugged at her wet cloak. “I’ve held up my bargains with you in the past. I’ve always paid my debts on time. It was only when my family was in danger that I deviated. If you allow me to, I give my solemn vow that I will be an obedient wife who will lay the world at your feet. Gems? I’ll lead them to you. Power? I will set it at your feet.”
She swallowed hard, unclasping the wet cloak at her throat. The cold didn’t penetrate as she held the Giver’s dark gaze. A hint of interest filled his face as he scoured her body. “A legacy? I will bear them until you are surrounded by heirs to run your very own kingdom for generations to come.”
“You’ll do all those things for me, regardless,” he snarled.
Lia lifted her chin, her pulse roaring in her ears. “Perhaps, but not with theenthusiasmyou desire. I will give it andmoreif you spare their lives.”
The Giver traced a finger down her mum’s pale freckled cheek. Lia blinked slowly as she noticed her mother’s sobs had slowed. A lump formed in her throat as she locked eyes with her mum, who’d sacrificed everything to protect her children all those years ago.
Clarity showed in her clear blue eyes. A rare glimpse of her real self.
Dahlia gasped.
Her mum’s lips lifted into a soft smile before they formed the silent words, “I love you.”
Serenity dove from the sky and raked her claws across Adder’s face. In a quick move, her mother twisted, kicked the Giver in the damaged knee, and tackled him. His eyes widened as he tried to catch his balance but only met air. The pair tumbled over the edge, her mum’s scream piercing the air. They disappeared from sight.
Lia screamed, running for the river. She skidded to a stop at the edge, her eyes scanning the water. Nothing but bubbles rose to the surface.
“Mother!” she screamed. “Mum!”
The Giver bobbed to the surface farther down, but her mother was nowhere to be found. Dahlia shook, tears pouring down her face. “No, no, no, no, no.” This wasn’t right. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
A large hand wrapped around her arm, and she swung. Loshika caught her fist, silver blood dripping down her cheek. “We must go!”
Lia looked back to the river, scouring the surface. “My mum...” They had to get to her. Do something. Anything.
“She’s gone,Reilleve. We must go.”
“We have to help her.” They couldn’t leave.
More shouts reached her ears, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the river.
“We will all die if we don’t run now.” Lo gave Dahlia a firm shake. “You have to think of your sibling.”
Her brother.
Cosmos.
She managed to tear her gaze away from the river. Cosmos was rounding the house with two horses. He jogged through the snow, his face haunted but determined.
Lia pulled out of Loshika’s grasp and sprinted at her brother. They crashed together; he wrapped his arms around her and pulled Lia from her feet. The reins pressed into her arm, but she didn’t care. He was whole.
“You’re okay,” she sobbed into his chest. “You’re okay.”
“Mum! We have to help mum.”
She swallowed hard when he released her as if to run to the river. She caught his hand and he shook his head, eyes wild.
“She’s gone, Cosmos,” she whispered softly.
“No! She can’t be. Mum!”
Lia dropped his wrist and cupped his cold cheeks, forcing him to meet her gaze. “She made a choice for you and I. We have to honor that and run.” He shook in her grasp. “There is no other choice, love. We must flee.”
He slowly nodded, some life draining out of his face.
