I’d carved myself a newgoiteíaearring when I made the concealment charm. But the familiar dark hue now tinting my hair doesn’t feelthe same as it once did. It doesn’t feel like I’m keeping my identity a secret, but more like an attempt to hide from myself.
From everything that has happened.
I shake my head to clear the thoughts as the eastern gatehouse comes into view. Crouching down in my usual hiding spot behind the old potted apricot tree, I settle in as I wait for the guard to change over.
“What are we doing?” a voice whispers in my ear.
“Fuck!” The curse erupts from me before I can hold it back, and I have to duck behind the pot when the guards’ heads snap toward the sound.
I click my tongue, and Cinder screeches, soaring overhead toward the palace. He’d been waiting for me in my room when I returned from the cells, and I was grateful to have him watching my back.
Even if he was doing a terrible job of it.
With my heart pounding in my chest, I peer through the branches, sighing with relief as both the guards relax at the sight of the hawk.
Narrowing my eyes, I turn a glare on my shadow. A twinkling hazel gaze peers back at me.
“What are you doing, Nyssa?” I hiss.
“Following you, obviously.” She shrugs and then looks at me expectantly.
I bite down hard on my lip to hold back the torrent of expletives that threaten to unleash. Closing my eyes, I breathe in deep. I only open them again when my heart is finally beating at a normal pace. “You scared the absolute shit out of me.”
“I know,” she says with a grin. “But back to my original question. Are we sneaking into the palace?”
“Iam sneaking into the palace.Youare going to turn around and head back to the Aviary.”
A contemplative look crosses her face, and for a moment, I think she’s going to listen to me. Clearly I don’t know my friend at all.
She shakes her head, sending her chestnut curls bouncing. “I think I’ll tag along.”
“You can’t come with me, Nyssa. If you’re caught, you’ll end up chained to a wall in a cell.”
I flinch at my own words, bracing myself for the memories to break free from the box I locked them in, but Nyssa’s next words shock me enough to hold them at bay.
“Sounds erotic.”
I huff out an irritated breath and rub the bridge of my nose. She watches me closely. Her eyes are still sparkling, but concern and resolve shadow them.
“Fine. Stay close.”
When I peer through the tree again, the guard has changed. The previous pair have been replaced by one wearing the cerulean himation and royal insignia. But even the sight of Kal’s guard, Maxim, does little to ease the trepidation that clings to me, more stifling than the humid air, at the memory of my father discovering Kal and me the last time I was here.
“Let’s go.” The words have barely left my lips before I’m heading toward the gate, Nyssa shadowing my every move. I nod to Maxim and slip through the gatehouse, not sparing a glance at the palace before me, but I hear her suck in a breath at the sight. I carve my way across the paved pathways and through the sculpted gardens, picking up the pace as I draw closer to the green sculpture of King Cadmus.
My heart skips a beat, and my steps stall when a figure moves out of the shadows. The sight of his rich brown curls and kohl-lined eyes is like coming home. I would know them anywhere. I know them better than my own reflection.
“Aella.” Kal’s voice cracks with relief, and the sound forces my feet to move once again. I launch myself at him, and he catches me, pulling me into a hug tight enough to crack my ribs.
I’m not sure how long we stand in that embrace, but eventually a throat clears behind us. I push away, turning back to Nyssa.
“Are you going to introduce us, or…” Her words trail off, and she arches a brow at me.
“Nyssa, this is my brother, Kal.” I gesture between them. “Kal, this is my friend, Nyssa.”
I watch with confused amusement as Nyssa drops into a mock curtsy. “A pleasure to meet you, Prince.”
Kal glares stonily back at her. “You’re one of them?”
