"Tell me everything," Silas rasps.
So, I do. I tell him everything that happened after he was shot. Thatcher was successful in the fourth trial, so there is a chance Kalix could fully make her way into my body. Barlowe was resurrected using the crystal, I killed my father, and Maines showed up at the last minute. When I finish the story, Silas remains silent, staring, and ghostly pale. "So where do we go from here?"
"We need to find the resurrection crystal. I know my father had it last. I need to return to the castle to find it and put it somewhere safe until we can destroy it for good. I... I’m also worried for Rohhit. Something doesn’t feel right about him being ordered to leave."
Oak snorts, "I mean, do you blame them for leaving? I’d say I would be more worried if they chose to stay."
He has a point. Silas attempts to lift himself once more off the bed, failing to do so.
"Oh no you don’t, Prince," Maines holds him down. "You are not leaving here until we say so. You almost lost your life. You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you out of here just yet."
He rolls his eyes, slumping back on the bed, "Then you better get to healing Miss Madden. I’ve got shit to do."
I giggle, but inside, my heart beats louder than a raging storm. I know things are far from fine.
"Where is Rose?" I ask, turning to Maines.
She smiles. "Two floors down. She’s going to be sent home tomorrow. She’s doing amazing and has made almost a full recovery."
My gut twists, even though the news overjoys me. She can’t return to the castle—not with what’s coming. "I’m going to go see her for a second. I’ll be back," I reply, leaning down to kiss Silas’ soft lips.
He grabs my hand and squeezes it. "I’ll be here. Don’t you dare leave without coming to get me first. We’re leaving here together!" He glares at Maines, who rolls her eyes in response as she silently works on his wounds.
I step out of the door, hearing whispers of chatter behind me.
He’s safe now, especially here. They all are. However, darkness seems to sweep through these halls like a storm over the mountaintops. It’s heading this way quickly and I can’t shake the feeling of darkness, dread, and doom towering over Daramveer.
Chapter 36
Itake the stairs down the two floors to find Rose. When I round the last corner of the stairwell, her voice fills my ears. I’ve never noticed how much she sounds like my mother—how similar they are in many ways. After so many days of sitting in the kitchen together, I was too wrapped up in my world to realize who sat before me, silently caring for me—more deeply than anyone else I had around me.
Rose holds a book in an oversized chair near the bay window. The last rays of the sun hit her, casting a halo around her body. She springs to her feet and runs in my direction. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you. When the news of the fourth trial spread, I was worried sick. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. They told me to stay and that it was safer for me.”
I embrace her, holding tight, taking in her smell—honey and thyme.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you the truth, Briar. It was only to protect you. I’ve watched over you for years—I did my best.”
I could never be angry at her for not telling me the truth. Now that I have people worth protecting, I would do anything to keep them safe. Her eyes drop to the floor, disappointment behind them.
I grab her hands, quickly kissing her cheek. “Please never apologize to me about this again. You did what you had to do and you did it for my mother. That is all I could ever ask. My father is dead. I killed him, Rose. You are my only true family now, and it’s my turn to protect you. I hope you can forgive me for what I’ve done.”
“You did what you had to do, Briar. I understand.”
I’m not ready to tell her about the possession yet. I can’t stomach what her face may look like once she knows I’m not all me. A thought snaps in my mind—Lang. “Wait! Lang is like my Great Uncle or something, isn’t he?”
She laughs. “Yes, he’s also been hiding in secret with me all these years. Now you know why he’s such a worrisome old man over you.” My heart swells with happiness for a moment.
“You can’t return to the castle. We need to get Lang out undetected. If anyone learns who he is, he’ll be targeted alongside you. Even with my father gone, I don’t trust anyone close to him.” I pull her back toward the small sitting area. “I fear this is far from over—you need to leave Daramveer. Now.”
Her lips form a thin line. “I’m not leaving you, Briar. I failed to save your mother and won’t leave you to fend for yourself. As you said—with your father gone, you are my only family outside of Lang. We will stick together and weather whatever storm heads our way.”
I know she isn’t lying, either. If I asked her to fight, she would stay beside me until the bitter end. But I can’t. She and Lang are all I have left, and if my visions of this kingdom come true, they need to be far away from here—away from me.
I stand, towering over her, still sitting in the low chair. “You must leave and go as quickly as possible.”
Her brow furrows with anger. “You cannot expect us just to leave you here. You said it yourself, your father is gone! What’s the threat now, anyway?”
My mind snaps to Calia and her odd behavior throughout the trials. She knows more. She’s in on this.
