It’s time to change that.
Nox turns his head, his dark eyes regarding me. I scratch behind his ear, and he snorts, pawing at the ground.
I grab his reins and lead him out of the barn. The sun is setting. It won’t be long before night will be upon us.
Isla and Julienne are waiting near the cabin door.
Isla looks lovely in that dress. That shade of green suits her. Her hair is pulled back in a braid.
I stop a few paces away, Nox’s reins still in my hand. For a moment, none of us speak.
“Well,” I say finally. “I suppose this is goodbye.”
Julienne steps forward first, her eyes warm but sad. “Travel safely, Your Majesty. And please, be careful out there. The realm needs you.”
“Thank you for everything. I wouldn’t have made it this far without your help.”
She smiles. “Nonsense. You would have found a way.” Her eyes glisten. “May Kakara watch over you.”
I turn to Isla. She’s standing with her arms folded, her jaw tight. Those beautiful eyes of hers are guarded.
“I guess this is it.” I pause, searching for the right words. “I’m sorry I can’t take you with me. I hope you understand.”
“I do.” She nods.
She could have outed us at any moment…got me captured several times over, but she didn’t. Does that mean that she is trying to get me to trust her so that I lead her to the others? Or is she innocent like she proclaims?
I may never get the answer.
“Thank you for everything,” I tell her.
I take a step toward her. Then another. Finally, she steps toward me too, and I put my arms around her. Her body is stiff in my arms. Her heartbeat is quick and angry against my chest.
After only a moment, she pulls away.
“Take care of yourself,” she tells me.
“You too.” The words feel inadequate.
“This is it, then,” Julienne says.
“Actually, I’d like a word with you alone,” I tell Julienne.
Isla nods once. “Goodbye, Sebastian. Try not to die.”
I smile. I can’t help it. “You too.”
She turns and starts walking.
“Goodbye, Isla of the Air,” I tell her.
She doesn’t turn. She walks stiff-backed into the cabin and closes the door.
I stare at the closed door for a moment.
Then I turn back to the older woman as I reach into the inner pocket of my tunic and pull out a folded piece of parchment.
“I need you to promise me something,” I tell Julienne, keeping my voice low. “If anything happens to me, I need you to give this to General Belen.”
