I check my surroundings, keeping to the shadows as I lower myself to the ground in a crouch. All but running to the archway, my heart thumping in my chest. I reach out my hand, placing it flat on the stone. Closing my eyes, I wait for that glow of white light. The pressure. But nothing happens.
No glow.
No warmth.
No blue flicker in the air.
“You know,” a voice says behind me, and I gasp as I jump backwards. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be out here.” I turn slowly.
A knight stands a few paces away, helmet tucked under his arm, expression unreadable.
“I was just—”
He cuts me off with a small shake of his head.
“I don’t care what you were doing. But you shouldn’t be out here alone.” His gaze flickers to the archway, then back to me. “The High Warden is going to be so pissed.”
“Please, you don’t need to tell him. I… I’ll go back,” I all but beg. “I’m really sorry, please.” The knight is escorting me back to Rowan’s quarters. He didn’t drag me, didn’t even touch me.
I’m not sure why that surprises me, but it does. He is polite but firm. I walk in front of him, feeling the weight of my actions. My sliver of hope, my chance at getting home.
Gone.
It didn’t work.
Nothing happened.
So, was he telling me the truth?
But how did I get here then?
I’m drowning in my thoughts when the knight behind me declares, “Found her in the yard, sir. By the arch.”
I freeze, knowing exactly who he just spoke to. I slowly lift my head to find Rowan leaning against the door, arms crossed, wearing a black fitted shirt with dark leather trousers and boots. He looks just as dangerous without his usual armour. Rowan does not glance at me once, not even to acknowledge I’m here.
“Thank you, Jones. Return to post.” Rowan says, his voice deeper than normal.
“Sir,” the knight responds before saluting and turning back.
I don’t move. Unsure what to do and what to expect, I wait for Rowan to decide. His gaze flickers over me once, quick and unreadable, before he scans the corridor beyond. His nostrils flare once before squaring his shoulders.
“Inside,” he says, his voice low. I move quickly, rushing into the room towards the back corner. The door closes with a thud as he turns the lock with a loud click.
“Rowan, I’m—” I start before he cuts me off.
“How did you get out of my wing?” His voice isn’t loud, just controlled.
“I walked?” I answer, confused. “The door was unlocked.”
His expression hardens, his teeth grinding once before he turns and strides toward the door.
“Come here.” It isn’t a request. He steps aside, gesturing for me to move past him into the corridor. “Walk through it,” he says.
“What?”
“Walk through.” His tone drops lower. I move carefully, stepping over the threshold into the corridor. I stare at him, confusion knotting in my chest.
