I stare at his mouth. The question isn’t for me, and I miss whatever Alys says in response, but the two escort me off the main road to sit on the wet grass. More water soaks into my clothing, though I’m already drenched anyway—we all are—and I regret having taken my shoes off back at the palace.
Alys crouches in front of me. “You’re in shock.” Her signs are gentle. Maybe nothing should surprise me by now, but I blink and stare at her hands as though I’ve never seen signed language before. “You’re just coming down from a lot of heightened emotions.”
A short burst of humorless laughter escapes me.
Kilkenny starts to say something, when suddenly he draws his sword as he jumps to his feet. My heart hammers in my chest, but there’s no way I can stand right now. Alys does it for me, facing another traveler who dismounts a drenched brown horse in the middle of the cobblestone road.
For a moment, I fear that we’ve been caught. Already! But as the figure walks toward us, I recognize the auburn hair, darkened by rainwater, sticking to his bruised face.
“I’m Durvla’s friend from Cluain Baile,” he swiftly motions to Kilkenny and Alys.
Kilkenny stares him down, as if memorizing the signed words, but he doesn’t put his sword away.
I stare at Osheen, and emotion slowly resurfaces through my numb state. I struggle to my feet and take awkward steps toward my oldest friend. My most trusted companion, the one who’s always been there for me. The one who risked everything to look after the person who means the most to me in this unjust kingdom.
Then I’m running, and Osheen is running toward me. I throw myself into his arms with the little strength I have left, and he wraps his around me, his chin resting atop my head. His chest rumbles slightly as he says something.
I step out of his embrace at last and ask, “How did you get away so soon?”
“The princess,” he says with a pained smile. “She promised she’d find a way to set me free. I don’t know how she did it, but she managed as soon as you all left.”
True laughter escapes me now. “That’s brilliant!”
Kilkenny, however, appears dubious. He sheathes his sword and asks, “How is that possible?”
Osheen shrugs his broad shoulders. “She just… let me out.”
“How do we know we can trust you?” Kilkenny asks.
I frown at him. “This isOsheen,” I say, as though it means something to this soldier-turned-knight-turned-accomplice. “I’d trust him with mylife. With my brother’s life.” I feel my voice break and a fresh wave of sadness washes over Osheen’s bruised face.
Osheen digs into his pocket and pulls something out. “She told me to show you this.” He holds up a small, circular jewelry piece with a sunburst on one end. A decorative wristlet.
Kilkenny steps closer, squinting at it. Then he straightens, his lips pursed, and his head tilted. “ThatisCarys’s,” he signs at last. “She used to wear it a lot more a few years ago.” He wrinkles his brow as he angles his face to Osheen again. “Shegavethis to you?”
Osheen nods.
“Keep it safe. Maybe we can return it to her someday,” Kilkenny tells Osheen. He looks at me in particular, signing as he speaks to everyone else. “I’m sure Lord Iywan isn’t going to be happy when he discovers us all missing. I know how we can throw anyone off our scent, but we need to get back on the road.”
Osheen scratches his chin then slips the wristlet into his pocket before running his palms over his trousers. I’m equally daunted knowing that there may be forces after us.
Kilkenny gestures widely to get my attention, then signs, “Alright, clan. Let’s go find Taig.”
CHAPTER 42
Carys
In the morning,I’m able to make it to the infirmary. It’s suspiciously empty, especially as I’ve asked Callum to wait outside of the chamber for me. But it gives me the opportunity to peruse the shelves for the vial that Alys instructed me to take. I lift each vial, one at a time, reading the names on them. St. John’s Wort, Chamomile, Patchouli, Belladonna—this one is written correctly—Henbane, Hemlock, Lavender, Wormwood, Mint… and, at last, BelLadonna.Found you.
I slip the vial into my pocket just as the door shuts behind me, and I jump so hard that my shoulder nudges the shelf, a few vials falling out and shattering on the floor. “Shit,” I mumble. I turn to the healer who’s just walked in. Bloody Briony… I wish I could throw a vial of Belladonna at her.
“Your Highness,” she says sweetly, curtsying. “I’m sorry, but Lady Alys isn’there.”
“I know,” I say. “I just came to get something for a headache.”
“Oh, let me get that for?—”
“No need. I’ve gotten what I came for. You may”—I’m already heading to the door—“get back to whatever it is you need to do.”
