“Well?” I ask, tilting my head at him. His eyes move between me and the doorframe, a small crease forming between his eyebrows.
“That’s impossible.”
“What is?”
“The door is sealed. You should only be able to pass through with me. Or another knight.”
“Sealed?” I repeat, a chill creeping under my skin. He steps closer to the door, studying the etching carved into the side and brushing his fingers lightly over the markings. A slow, unsettled feeling creeps into my stomach. He turns back to me slowly, eyes sharper now.
“You were told to stay by my side. To not wander.” He doesn’t raise his voice, but his tone drips with power.
“I know, I’m so—”
“I told you it wouldn’t work. And you tried again anyway,” he says, not as a question. I feel embarrassed. Stupid. And then, for the first time in a long time, something sharper flares beneath it.
Not fear.
Indignation.
“You told me it wouldn’t work,” I say, my voice steady despite the burn in my chest. I shuffle my feet. “You didn’t tell me why.” Rowan exhales slowly, not in frustration but in calculation.
His hand drags down his face as he swallows whatever it is he wants to say, and for a moment, I think he’s going to give me some answers.
“You need—” The door swings open.
“Rowan” Kael’s voice cuts through the room, breathless in a way I’ve never seen him before. His usual carefree smile is replaced with worry.
“The king wants to see her.” He looks at me. “Now.”
This is worse than bad.
I know it is, mostly because neither Kael nor Rowan has spoken a word to each other during the entire walk to the King’s throne room. I’m not sure I’ve ever been around Kael when he wasn’t saying something. It’s unnerving.
What punishments do they have here?
I was stupid and reckless.
What will it cost me?
The silence between us is thick and deliberate. I glance at Kael, who is leading in front and then behind me at Rowan. We lock eyes for a moment. I can’t read his expression, but I know he can read mine. Fear. Dread. The king’s throne room appears ahead as I feel panic rise through my bones. Clasping my hands shut to hide my nervous tremors, I follow Kael through the doorway.
“Stay behind me,” Rowan whispers close to my ear, causing my breath to hitch. I don’t respond. My only acknowledgment is stepping back to let him move in front of me, his shoulder almost brushing mine.
“You’re all here, excellent,” the King’s voice booms, a hint of malice lining his tone. I remain still, looking between Rowan and Kael.
“Come, girl. Move forward. I need to speak with you,” he says, gesturing for me to come toward him. Rowan stiffens, hesitating for a brief second before moving to the side.
“I hear your grand plans to escape were futile,” he chuckles to himself. “Tell me, what was your plan to return home?” he asks me, tilting his head and waiting.
“I … um… I didn’t. I don’t…” I feel myself wobble. “There was no plan.” The King doesn’t respond, waiting for me to say more. “I was hoping if I could just get to the stone and, you know… touch it that maybe it would glow again like it did last time.” I say, bowing my head in defeat.
The King looks at me, an expression of intrigue filling his tired eyes.
“You really do not know, do you?” he asks me, releasing a soft breath.
“I’m sorry?” I ask.
“You don’t even know how you arrived, let alone how to get back. Your world must not know of the forces it brushes against. Or it has forgotten.” He says cryptically.
