The woman huffed. “Just get the damn wyrm. We have other places to go, and I heard Butcher is in the area. I want to meet him and show him our prize.”
I stilled. Butcher. The Butcher of the Brotherhood. That’s why they wanted Morton so badly. They wanted to run into the Butcher and impress him with their capture.
I braced my feet like Wolfe had taught me, planting them firmly in the ground and holding out my sword, which was becoming heavier by the second. Now I understood why Wolfe had wanted me to practice the same movements over and over, to build stamina and strength.
“Oh, wait.” Pock Marks stopped his pursuit as I spoke. “I’m not holding this right, am I?” I frowned at the sword. “Silly me.” I adjusted my grip while he tapped his foot. “There. Is that right?”
Bug Eyes threw up his arms, and the woman stepped forward. “Enough.” She grabbed the sword from Pock Marks and pointed it at my throat. The cold steel pricked the skin on my neck. “Give him over or I slit your throat.”
She might very well kill me, but I wouldn’t die without putting up a fight. I met her sword with mine and she easily swatted it away. It flew to the ground, just out of reach. I lifted my chin and fished into my pocket, turning it inside out.
All of them stared for a moment, blinking, before the woman’s mouth dropped open. “The bookwyrm is gone. You tricked us.”
Satisfaction filled me. She was angry. Angry was good because it meant Morton had a chance, that she didn’t actually think they could find him. “Good luck finding him. You better get started. The grass is tall, and before you know it, it’ll be nightfall.”
“You are going to regret this.” She surged forward with the sword, once again pressing the blade to my neck.
I’d always feared this moment. Ever since I was born, I was terrified of death, but now that it had found me, I felt at peace. I didn’t want to die, but I had no regrets, not when I’d saved my friend and stood up to the brotherhood, keeping them from growing stronger.
“Do your worst,” I said, realizing I did have one regret.
I wished I could see Wolfe, feel his lips against mine one more time. Hopefully he knew, and that was my final thought before she pushed the sword into my throat.
CHAPTER 34
Wolfe
Ihadn’t been this sure of myself in a long time. For so much of the last few years, I’d been plagued by guilt and shame, but now I felt a sense of peace, this sense that I could fix it all. I could fix me, and it was going to start with this journey.
I’d sent a letter to Harriet before I left to let her know I was leaving and to keep a close eye on Cillian. Harriet was a good royal guard, and she was also the only one I trusted to keep my brother safe.
I hoped I was able to find what I was looking for, that this entire journey wouldn’t be a waste of time. I’d meant to go fast, but I’d found myself stopping far too often, noticing a wildflower that reminded me of Niamh’s hair, stopping to enjoy a view that I knew Niamh would love, admiring a sculpture and wondering what story Niamh might tell me about it. It had been so foolish to think I could ever push thoughts of her away. Since the day I’d met Niamh, she’d become so entwined in my thoughts, so enmeshed in my soul, that there was no future without her.
I smiled to myself, imagining the surprise on her face when Iarrived back in Fairwitch Isle in a few days. Then my smiled widened when I imagined not a smile but a scowl, how she’d likely want to throttle me. But I’d make it up to her. She deserved so much better than what I’d given her so far, and I intended to make up for my actions and show her I could be the man she deserved, and it was starting here. Now.
A rustling sound caught my attention, and I turned, noticing the tips of the grass shaking ever so slightly. Probably a rabbit or some other rodent, hopefully one without magic. I supposed this was as good a time as any to stop and catch lunch. Better than having to track it down later.
I crouched, walking toward the sound slowly, steadily so as to not make any noise. From here I could pinpoint the creature’s exact location, and I reached down into my boot and pulled out a dagger. The rustling stopped, and I held my breath, hoping it hadn’t noticed me. I reached out and parted the grass, then lunged forward with my dagger right as a shriek hit the air.
“Don’t kill me! I swear I won’t taste good!” The familiar voice shot through me, and I drove my dagger into the mud right next to Morton.
The pink bookwyrm bent his head, his body quivering.
“Morton?” I asked.
He lifted his head, and his pink eyebrows shot up. “Wolfe? Wolfe!” He slithered forward and wrapped his little body around my calf, squeezing tight. “I’m so relieved to see you. I thought you were one of the brotherhood.”
“One of the brotherhood?” I asked.
Morton unwrapped himself and fell to the ground. “We have to get back there now. She’s not safe. They’re going to kill her!”
“Slow down,” I said. “What are you talking about?”
Morton let out a frustrated groan. “There’s no time. Niamh is in trouble.”
I shot to my feet as fear coiled around my heart, and Morton slithered up the side of my body and to my shoulder.
“Where?” I asked, voice rough.
