“Um…thank you. I did what had to be done, under the circumstances.”
“No, you went above and beyond. You didn’t have to rescue Sebastian, but you…” His eyes narrow, and his gaze shifts to Julienne. “Where is Sebastian?” he asks, frowning.
“He left yesterday evening,” Julienne tells him. Her face grows somber. “His horse came back without him. We—”
“That is strange. What were his plans?” Belen asks, frowning.
“He wouldn’t say.” She shrugs. “He was determined to leave before it was safe to do so. I’m not sure why, or why his horse came back without him mere hours later. I take it you haven’t heard anything?”
Belen lifts his eyes in thought for a moment. “No. All I can tell you is that he wasn’t captured and that, according to the queen herself, he is still within the Shadow Court. The guards have been searching relentlessly, but there’s been no word at all. I thought it was because he was safe here with you.” He pauses, his brow furrowing. “The guards will start to return to the castle soon enough.”
“To prepare to welcome the queen,” Julienne says.
“Indeed.” Belen’s jaw tightens. “Everyone is making ready. A feast is being laid out,” he tells me. “I need to leave soon. I’ll be expected at the shadowfae castle to be part of the welcoming party.” He looks at Julienne, his eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry. I wish I could stay longer. I wish I had more news about Sebastian. He is in grave danger now that the queen is about to arrive. She insisted on still coming and wants him captured as soon as possible so that she can interrogate him herself.”
“That’s a frightening thought,” I say.
“It is. You should get back,” Julienne says, her eyes softening as she stares up at Belen.
They embrace again. I look away, giving them privacy. My mind is racing. Sebastian wasn’t captured. That’s good news. Why hasn’t he left the court? It doesn’t make sense. Perhaps he is injured.
I hate the thought. At the end of the day, he made his choices. I need to make mine.
That means I need to finish getting ready. I need to leave while I can.
“Be careful out there, Isla. The deadlands are dangerous,” Belen says to me from the door.
“I will,” I tell him. “Thank you.”
He hugs Julienne once more, then heads for the door. Julienne walks him out, her hand in his.
The moment they’re outside, I move quickly. I go down into the area below the floor, grab my saddlebag, and put it over my shoulder. Once above ground, I shove the last of my belongings inside. Then I take two already prepared waterskins and place them next to my bag, together with some dried meat. The coin Sebastian left for me is in a pouch around my neck.
I need to get away and start a new life.
I’ll need to change my identity. Change everything about myself.
I’ll have to live in the shadows that I won’t be allowed to wield. My throat tightens. Using magic won’t be an option anymore. Which means I’ll never perform again. Never feel that thrill of power flowing through me.
I’ll never feel connected to my mother the way I do when I use the magic she gave me.
Even though she didn’t have any magic to speak of, I got the gift from her. From her bloodlines. It’s all I have left of her now.
I blink back tears as I finish packing.
The door opens, and Julienne steps back inside. “Let me help you,” she says as she walks over to me.
Together, we gather the last few items. Julienne hands me an oilskin coat, similar to the one Sebastian took only smaller. “You’ll need this. The weather can turn quickly out there.”
“Thank you,” I manage. “For everything.”
“Jack is already tacked and ready,” Julienne says.
We walk outside together. Jack stands near the barn, his coat gleaming in the light. The reins are looped over his neck.
“Hi, Jack,” I murmur, stroking his neck and ignoring his flat ears. Then I place the saddlebag over the horn and tie my coat behind the cantle.
“He responds well to a gentle hand,” Julienne says. “And he’s steady on rough terrain.”
