They’re gone.
I wait a few moments more, making absolutely certain. Then I pull away from her.
“Let’s get back to the cabin,” I tell her in a gruff voice. “I have to start preparing for my trip. I’m leaving at nightfall.”
She tilts her head up at me. Her eyes are big and almost pleading. “We shouldn’t leave just yet. It’s unsafe. There are guards everywhere looking for you. It would be safer to stay with Julienne until things quieten down. I know she wouldn’t mind having us.”
I shake my head. “I need to go.”
She clenches her jaw for a few long moments. “Why do you insist on being so pigheaded? You do realize that if you are captured, you put both Julienne and me at great risk. I know you don’t care about me, but think of her. Not to mention what it would do to the future of our realm if you were captured and executed.”
“I’m not being pigheaded. I would never give Julienne up…or you, for that matter. It is how it needs to be.” I stand and openthe reeds for her, making it clear that the conversation is over. I can’t be swayed.
I wish I could explain things to her, but I can’t.
Isla swallows thickly. Then she wades out of the reeds and through the water to the edge. Her back is rigid. Her steps are choppy. She’s angry, which I understand.
She turns suddenly. “I helped you escape. I did so at great risk. I exposed myself…for you.” She points at me. “The least you can do is help me escape this court and get through the deadlands. You can leave me at the first village we find. Why is that so hard?” Although she is keeping her voice low, it is laced with anger. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are blazing.
“I’m sorry.” I mean it too. “I wish I could help you, but I can’t.” I shake my head. “It isn’t personal.”
“You accused me of lying, of working for the queen, so it is very personal to me. You will be captured, and I won’t save you this time.”
“I don’t need saving.”
She whirls back around, growling in anger and frustration. Her hands are clenched into tight fists.
“Pigheaded fool!” she says as she stomps away, headed for the cabin.
I stand there for a few moments. Then I start after her, giving her plenty of space.
I can’t trust her, but I do like her… more than I should. She has grit.
Unfortunately, there is a bigger picture at stake. It’s out of my hands. I have a plan. I need to stick to it. That’s all there is to it.
Isla will understand soon enough. If she doesn’t, then so be it.
16
Isla
I walk as quickly as I can toward the cabin. Anger burns through me.
Why is he acting this way?
I don’t understand him at all. I pull in a deep breath.
Then again, he never asked for my help. He doesn’t owe me anything. It’s easy to forget that part of this equation. After talking with Julienne, I understand him better and yet…he still makes me so mad I could scream.
I need to get over it. I need to accept that this is how things are going to be. My life has changed, and just like every other day, it is up to me. I only have myself. For the briefest moment, I allowed myself to think that I might not be alone, even if only for a few days, but it is not to be.
I start walking again, and my anger slowly fades.
Why is he so hellbent on leaving tonight? It doesn’t make any sense. It’s foolish, to say the least.
I push through the door of the cabin, and Julienne looks up from where she’s pacing up and down. Her face breaks into a smile.
“Thank Kakara, you’re safe.” She rushes over to me, her eyes scanning my face. “Are you alright? Where’s Sebastian?” Her eyes widen. “Did they…?”
