“Etta,” Asmo whispers in disbelief.
Part Two
Chapter 24
MAE
My dead sisterstands before me.
She is a different version of me—one with darker features, but the same honey eyes. Her cheeks are rosy pink, but without freckles. Her chocolate-brown hair hangs over her shoulders, the same lackluster waves as my white hair. She bears no antlers. And no crown.
“I—” I start, then close my mouth as I fumble for what to say. My thoughts swirl, each one vanishing the moment I reach for it. Everything I ever thought I’d say to her is gone.
“Blimey, Ett, I didn’t think bringing you would cause this much of a reaction. We don’t exactly have time for this,” Basil says.
“She’s a dead High Princess,” Asmo says in disbelief. “What did you think would happen?”
I still. She’s a dead High Princess…with the right to the High Throne. What if she wants it back? What if all of this is for nothing? What if I’m scraping and clawing for a throne that isn’t even mine? Am I about to risk my life for something that doesn’t even belong to me?
“We have to go,” Basil urges.
He’s right. Someone—Rain—will die if we don’t get moving.
I swore an oath—that wasn’t mine to swear, apparently—to protect the people of the Woodland Kingdom. And that is what I am here to do.
I wrench my gaze from Etta. “What’s the plan?” I ask Basil.
“We’ve had several of our shifters scouting the dungeons. They’ve reported there are only a few guards watching Rain.”
“Why do you need us, then?” Asmo asks.
Basil grimaces. “The guards are witches.”
Asmo nods. “Yeah, that’s a pretty important piece of information.” Sarcasm drips from his tone.
Basil claps his hands together with a nervous smile. “Right, well. The plan is for our familiars to cause a distraction in the dungeons. When the guards?—”
“The witches,” Asmo corrects.
Basil’s smile falls, and he shoots a glare at Asmo. I can’t help but think if Asmo weren’t in his disguise, he would be rethinking that glare. “When the witches are distracted, we make our move. Which is where you two come in,” he says, beaming expectantly at Asmo and me.
“How so?” I ask.
“We were hoping you could take care of the witches. We also…well, the cell door is stone and we don’t really have a solution for breaking into it. We were hoping you might be powerful enough to do it.” He gestures to Asmo and me, his hands hanging in the air.
“So, you expected her to do everything?” Asmo asks.
I can’t help but snort. “I’m sorry to have failed your expectations, Basil, but I have no idea what I’m doing. I can try, but I don’t know how to break astone door.”I look at Asmo. “What about you? Can’t you do that sword thingy that you did to kill that cambion in the woods?”
Asmo turns to me slowly. “It’s called a shadow sword. But yes, that should work. I can always shoot a ball of fire at the walls.”
“No, you will not,” Etta says. Her voice is melodic. “We want to minimize the damage and the casualties. Our objective is to rescue Rain, not destroy the place. If your shadow sword will be effective, that is what will be done.”
Asmo cocks his head at her, then purses his lip. He opens hismouth, then appears to think better of it, and closes it. I look at the ground to hide my smile.
“When the cell is breached, you will grab her and run. Do you understand?” Etta’s eyes are cool as she directs her question toward Asmo.
He clasps his hands behind his back and nods once.
