“None of you have to stay in the under mountain unless you wish it. You don’t have to have a mate unless you wish it. Just, please, come with me.”
Melisa’s face takes on a strange expression. “You are absolutely sure that you are leaving tonight?”
“Yes. Will you come?” I press once more.
The time she takes to respond feels agonizingly long.
“Fine. We will travel through the harrowing cold together, like one little happy family,” she says at last.
My heart soars upward into the skies. I lean forward and hug her, suds and all. She lets out a surprised laugh.
Abi makes a sound. “You moved again! Don’t ruin my masterpiece. You have to be perfect if you want to avoid extra attention. Now, what is the plan?”
I know the look on their faces—it’s the same one that Mikal gave me when we left Zlosa the first time. Pure, bright hope.
It’s a bear sitting on my chest, demanding I succeed because they deserve a better life. Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed before, but I will this time, especially because I can feel Teo’s approach deep in my bones.
I nod once. “Melisa, there are some… items in my dress. Will you bring them?”
“Of course.”
“And you know where Mikal is?” I ask, holding my breath.
She nods as she crosses to the dress. “Yes. He’s near the whipping racks. There’s a prison below.”
I exhale. It wasn’t hard to deduce that he was being tortured, but the confirmation feels like a blow to my gut.
“I think it is best that we leave during the feast, when everyone’s drunk out of their minds. Melisa, meet me outside the kitchens, and you,” I point to the others, “Wait in the trees near the northern steps. Just far enough away from the palace that the guards won’t catch you.”
“And if I bring friends?” Abi says.
I bite my lip. “I can’t plan for them. There are too many unknowns.”
She shakes her head. “Leave it to me.”
“Bring them, but do it safely,” I say, and Melisa’s eyes grow wide.
One day, we’ll come back for the rest. Every last pen will be torn apart.
Melisa is watching me, almost surprised.
I take her hand and look at the others. “Pack any supplies you can carry without getting caught.”
The plan is sealed between us four with whispered words and the excited beating of our hearts. I’ve never known any kind of friendliness like this between laborers. A year ago, I wouldn’t have ever even imagined it.
Soon.
I will be free.
Hope instead of anger sustains me as my hair is brushed, painted, and twisted.
It takes hours to turn me into an almost comical sight. I’mshowing far too much skin, but at last, it is done. My dress puffs out around my hips and doesn’t fall lower than mid-thigh. My legs, stomach, shoulders, and arms are bare, save the glittering paint. There is little place to hide anything.
I pull out the labradorite stone, the books, and the jewels, and hold them out to Melisa.
“Can you keep these safe until it’s time to leave?” She nods, taking the items in her hands but I immediately feel the heaviness of the diamonds clinging to my skin. “But wait, I need to bring that gem.”
Melisa eyes the crystal as it shines and glows.I gaze at the shiny surface. My mother gave me that gem in my dream, and the echo of her song still plays in my mind.
