The glass shimmers with pearlescent light and I see it: the willow tree, the road, Orca Cove’s new gift shop.
It works.
It works!
As soon as I pull my hand away, the mirror turns back to normal. I can activate it again when I get Lucas here.
I’ve got time. Keldarion should be in that meeting for a while. I peer into the dining room as I pass. They’re still playing Moonlight Mastery, and it sounds like it’s getting heated. Farron and Dayton lean over Ezryn as he ponders a move. Meanwhile, Caspian tilts back in his chair, grinning like the Cheshire Cat.
I suppose I could ask for their help with Lucas, but if they somehow discovered my scar, they’re likely to fly into a murderous rage. Plus, I know there’s already tension with Kel and I don’t want to add to it by getting them to do something behind his back. Papa would assist, but I don’t have time to search the whole castle to find him.
I can do this myself. A quick trip to the mirror and goodbye Lucas. See you never.
The healing chamber is silent. I creep over to where Lucas sleeps. He’s still not fully healed, but he’s a lot better than yesterday with his guts no longer hanging out.
I shake him, but he doesn’t even stir. Ezryn must have put him into a deep sleep. Blowing a tuft of hair out of my face, I rush to the pantry and quickly scan all the beautifully labeled jars.
“A-ha!” Smelling salts. I pop the cork and stick them right under Lucas’s nose. He blinks awake, and I place my palm over his mouth. “If you want to live, you’ll be quiet.”
He shakes his head, strands of red hair falling in his face, voice groggy. “Rosalina? W-where am I…”
Okay, this is good. As long as he can walk, I don’t need him to be too coherent.
“Come on.” I lace my arm under his and help him out of bed. My whole body feels sick at his touch, but I try to push my emotions down so Kel doesn’t feel it.
Lucas stands on shaking legs, groaning. He’s dressed in nothing but a simple beige tunic and loose pants. “We’re in the castle of the fae,” I explain, “and I’m taking you home. That’s all you need to know.”
A groggy moan is his only reply.
Carefully, I peer both ways. The halls are empty. Being the full moon, most of the staff are spending the night celebrating and partying together. A small blessing.
We move slowly, Lucas leaning heavily on me and groaning about his sore legs.
My heart hammers as we make it to the entrance hall. Lucas’s eyes flick every which way. “These thorns…” he mumbles, more coherent by the second. “Like when we went through the rosebush.”
“Don’t talk,” I hiss.
He seems fine to obey me for now. Unease quivers in my stomach. What about when his fatigue wears off? Before he’d been attacked, he’d been trying to carve a ring into my finger.
As we pass the dining room, the voices of my fae princes drift out, comforting and warm. Every instinct in me wants to call out for them, beg them to protect me from the monster currently leaning on me.
But only a few more steps, and Lucas will be out of my life forever. He won’t have power over me again. Then I can return and help Ezryn with his game, embrace Day and Fare while watching Caspian’s strange but beautiful smile—Wait, no, not that.
My thoughts draw back to the present as we reach the mirror. No one is around; we’re in the clear.
I place my hand on the glass pane. But it doesn’t change at all. “Show me Orca Cove,” I demand, pressing my fingers against the glass.
All that gazes back at me is my reflection and Lucas slumped on my shoulder.
“You really are fucking crazy,” he says. “That’s a mirror.”
Steps sound from above the stairs, a murmur of voices.
“This mirror is the only thing that will save your life,” I whisper. I slam my palm hard against the pane. “Show me Orca Cove.”
“As I said before, sire,” Perth Quellos’s voice drifts down to us, “we did notice a strange frost along the border but did not realize it was dangerous. My summons to you have gone unanswered, and we’ve received no word from Princess Niamh.”
Kel’s voice booms in response: “Send the Kryodian Riders to investigate. Our finest legion will surely be able to get to the bottom of this from Winter’s side.”
