I don’t say a word to the legionnaires when I arrive at Anya’s room. The lamps flicker to life as soon as I close the door. I let out a relieved breath. At least in here, I don’t have to pretend. “Anya?”
The room is small enough that I should see her immediately, so I walk toward the bathing chamber to check there. The door is open, and the room is empty.
I guess she is still at dinner and I missed her. I take off my slippers and shimmy out of the formal dress. Caiden didn’t give me details, so I pull on a more comfortable day dress, then get to work removing all the pins in my hair.
Anya still isn’t here when I finish. I hope she gets back before Brevan arrives.
The fire crackles as a log falls, and the flames grow weaker from the change of position. I throw in a new log and stoke the fire, bringing it back to life.
All I can do is wait. So I read.
A knock on the door wakes me. The book is on my chest, open to wherever I was when I dozed off. The fire is nearly spent, and the lamps have dimmed to the nighttime levels.
“Anya?” I call.
She’s still not here.
The knock sounds again.
I wanted to talk to her before seeing Caiden, but it looks like that’s not going to happen. I open the door and actually feel tension release when I see Brevan. I hadn’t realized how worried I was about him.
“You weren’t at dinner,” I say.
“Caiden sent me to town for some things,” he says.
“That’s strange. Isn’t it? Or do you normally run his errands?”
“It was unusual. And it was a distraction.”
“What do you mean?”
He glances down the hall, then gently pushes me into the room. Once the door is closed, his expression changes. I think he’s afraid. I’ve never seen him afraid.
“I can get you out. But we have to go now. I have a few favors I can call in. You can be on a ship out of Pendralia by sunrise. You can’t go home, though. But there’s a place I know you’ll be safe, if you trust me.”
“Slow down. What happened, Brevan?”
He grips my elbows. “They took Anya. I didn’t know they were going to. I’m so sorry. I’m the one who brought her here. I know what she means to you.”
I sway, but Brevan wraps his arms around me to steady me. It takes me a few breaths before the words actually sink in. “They took her? Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“I’m not sure. They left the castle with her,” he says.
“Why?” This is my fault. I should have sent her away the second I saw her. It wasn’t safe for her here.
“They’re concerned you won’t go along with their plans.”
“What are their plans?”
He swallows. “I can still get you out of here.”
“You know I can’t leave Anya.”
“I know. But I had to try.” He brushes his fingers over my cheek. “It’s selfish and wrong. I want another man’s betrothed. But you’re not mine.”
