“I should have… I know that now." He dragged a shaky hand through his hair, his gaze darting to the floor. “I thought—” He let out a harsh breath. “When Edgar brought me in to watch over you, I didn’t question it. I was following orders. I didn’t understand what the spell meant. Didn’t know what I was stepping into. The first time I saw you, you were unconscious. Edgar had me place the seal on you. Told me it was for protection—an extra layer of security, that’s all.” A bitter laugh slipped from him. “I’d never worked with Druids before. I didn’t realize how… wrong it was. Not at first.”
His hands curled into fists at his sides, knuckles whitening with the strain. His face paled, voice breaking with something close to anger—or maybe shame. “I asked him why.Whyme? Edgar said it was because I was good. Because I wastrustworthy. I thought I was doing the right thing. Thought I was helping you in the middle of something I didn’t understand.He said that if you knew—if you found out—it would only make things worse. That it would put you at risk.”
“Did you use it against me?” she bit out. “When you touched me, when we were together—did you weaken me?”
His face fell, and something inside her shattered. Her jaw clenched so tightly she felt it pop.
“Only a few times. In the beginning. But never after that.” His gaze searched hers, desperate. “Once I understood what it meant… I couldn’t. I refused.”
He stepped closer, and she backed away, her heart splintering all over again. She had already known—but hearing it from his lips made it different. Made it real.
“Elara, please. We don’t have time. Hate me all you want, for the rest of your life—I deserve it. But right now, I’m getting you out. The Script Keepers… they’re closing in on the capital. Hundreds of them, and they’re here for you.”
A muscle feathered down his neck as he exhaled. “I’ve been working with them since Mabon. I’ve traveled across the realm, gathering what rebels I could. Prince Dominic and his men—they’re all with us. It took longer than I wanted. Every day I knew you were trapped here, and I—” He swallowed hard. “Then the Hunter found me. Said I was wanted for treason. Told me Osin was feeling generous, and instead of the gallows, he’d let me conscript into the Legion, pay my debt that way.”
He took a step closer to her, his eyes pleading. “It was my chance to get close to you. To put one more ally on the inside.” He shook his head. “I don’t have time to explain everything. But trust me… you’re not alone in this.”
Elara’s heart thundered, her mind reeling. If Dario had truly been accused of treason, Osin wouldn’t have spared him—wouldn’t have let him draw another breath, let alone welcome him into his ranks. No. It had been a lie. A calculated deception from Ivan. He’d never told Osin about Dario’s rebellion.
Why? Why protect him?
She dragged her fingers through her hair, her nails scraping against her scalp as if the motion could pry the answers free. The question was too convoluted, too layered to unravel now. She exhaled sharply, steadying herself.
“I can’t leave with you.”
Dario’s brow furrowed. “Don’t be stubborn. You stay here, and you’re dead.”
“I’m not leaving,” she said, “Not until the Sidhe are free.”
“The Sidhe?” His voice was incredulous. “TheFae? Elara, no one can save them.”
“I can.”
A vein at his temple throbbed. He looked ready to argue—but then a flicker of light glinted off his armor.
His whole body went still.
Shit.
Elara bolted from the cover of the spruce, her eyes darting to the balcony. Osin was still there, lounging amidst a circle of sycophants, laughter curling through the air. Calista stood apart, her posture stiff as she slipped something—a small mirror—back into her bodice.
Their eyes locked.
Elara’s stomach twisted, her mind racing.
What?
Calista’s eye widened—intense, almost frantic.
This wasn’t the plan. Calista wasn’t supposed to signal until she was ready to leave with Osin. But something was off.
A bead of sweat slid down Elara’s neck as she held Calista’s stare, the realization crashing over her.
The dagger. Osin wasn’t carrying it.
That was the signal. Go. Now.Without her.
“El.” Dario’s voice was tight. His eyes scanned her face. “What’s going on?”
