I freeze. “As you say.”
“I want you to return to Ironrose,” he says.
My eyebrows go up, but I know enough to keep my mouth shut now.
“The first event of the Royal Challenge is nearly upon us,” he says. “You would be expected to travel ahead, so you may as well go now.” He pauses. “I will follow shortly. Lia Mara will remain here with Sinna. We have a new governess from a highly respected House, and she has impeccable references. I will ensure she does not leave Sinna’s side.”
My chest is still tight. This should feel like a relief—but it doesn’t.
It feels like I’m being sent away.
“I’m not worried about one random blacksmith,” Grey continues. “And all messages point to a threat against me alone. I will worry less if the queen is not with me during my travels.” He pauses. “But you are to ride straight through to Emberfall without deviating from your path. Am I clear?”
I nod once. “Yes,” I say hollowly.
“Good.” He claps me on the shoulder. “If you pack now you can leave by full dark.”
I blink. “You wish me to leavetonight—” I catch a glimpse of the fire in his eyes and I break off.
If I leave tonight, I will need to ride hard to make it across the border to my first safe house before midnight, when they lock up.
I highly suspect Grey knows this.
I nod again. “Yes. Of course. Your Majesty.”
Half an hour later, I have a full pack strapped behind Mercy’s saddle, and I’ve replaced the bow I left with Jax. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m forgetting something important, but I ignore any lingering worries. I’ve hardly been given time to say goodbye to anyone, but I’ll need to ride fast to make it across the border, so I don’t want to linger. There’sa tension among the workers in the stable, and a few sideways glances cast my way. I wonder what gossip has already sparked in the air around the palace.
There’s a part of me that’s relieved to go.
Mercy is eager, leaping into a canter once we’re free of the palace gates. I rarely leave at night, and her ears are pricked as we cover ground swiftly. Maybe she can sense my mood, because she doesn’t tug at the reins or distract me. She’s steadfast as ever.
I wish I had a distraction. My thoughts are swirling with the events of the last twenty-four hours, of everything that’s happened in the palace.
But at the forefront is Jax, the warmth in his eyes, the strength in his hands, the wild tangle of hair he keeps knotted at the back of his neck.
He can’t be a traitor. He can’t be plotting against the king. He can’t.
An hour passes, then two. We’re nearing the turnoff for Briarlock. Again, Mercy must sense my thoughts, because her pace slows.
Jax.Jax, Jax, Jax.
I’m in so much trouble already. I need to make the safe house by midnight.
But I need to know for sure.
I sit down in the saddle and Mercy responds immediately, dropping to a slow lope when we reach the guidepost. The night is pitch-black, and I shiver under my light cloak.
For the first time, I consider that I might have been followed. Maybe by Alek—or maybe guards, sent by Grey’s order.
I hate this. I draw Mercy to a halt.
If Alekhasfollowed me, I won’t hold back. I’m not worried about political appearances now. He may have gotten the best of me once, but he won’t again. I’ll burnhimright to ash.
But I wait and hear nothing. Eventually, Mercy paws at the ground, eager to move.
I slip the rein and we ride on. We’re close now. I’ll get some answers, for good or for bad.
But it’s not until I ride toward the bakery that I flex my fingers on the reins and realize what I’m missing.
