Cade’s jaw clenched. His hands shook. “I can’t just lether—”
“You have to,” Stellan said. “You’ve done everything you can. Trust me now.”
Those words finally landed. Because for one breath, Cade’s face cracked. But then he exhaled and stepped back.
Vega smiled. Blood still on her lip, dark and drying. “Smart boy,” she said.
She swung herself onto the horse and turned toward the trees. No one moved as they vanished into the smoke-laced trees. But then Bridget heard Cade whisper, so low she wasn’t sure Vega even noticed: “I’ll find you.”
And somehow, she knew, even as every part of her screamed for him to stay away—
He meant it.
Chapter thirty-three
Cassia
The fire crackled like bones snapping beneath booted feet. Cassia didn’t flinch. She stood just outside the circle of heat, arms folded. She let the icy wind bite at her cheeks. It grounded her and cleared her head. She didn’t even bother to listen to Delphine’s attempt at a calming speech as she watched her father and Cade argue by the horses.
She’d awoken to shouts and blasts of magic, unsure if she was still dreaming or not. When she’d run out of the musty old tavern, the entire camp had been thrust into chaos. And still remained that way. Cassia glanced at Archer and Castor trying to revive Finn. He was breathing, they hadn’t been able to wake him. Blood dripped down his face.
Across the clearing, her father and Cade continued to bellow. Chest twisting, she hoped Cade listened to reason. The closer he was to Cavamyne, the more danger he was in. The more danger they were all in. If he died there, an evil they couldn’t comprehend would be unleashed.
An evil she was technically connected to.
Cassia pulled her gloves back on. The more she thought about the Sanguis and Vega and Druids, the less controlled she felt. Ever since she’dsearched Bridget’s memories, it was like the inside of her skin yearned for the power again. For magic.
“Don’t you see?Thiswas the vision all along. If you go to Cavamyne, you will die,” their father hissed, his voice low and blistering. “It’s a suicide mission. I don’t care if you think you’re doing it in the name oflove, or whatever bullshit you want to encourage yourself with, your death will unleash a power you don’t understand. As king, I can’t—”
“And what about as my father?” Cade shot back. The air between them crackled. “But I assume you don’t have an answer for that. You haven’t prioritized that role in a very long time. I’m going. Whether you like it or not.”
Cassia didn’t bother stepping between them. Not yet. She was too busy watching Cade. His shoulders were tense and his eyes were alight with a mad fury. He wasn’t hearing anything. At least not the things that mattered. And she’d seen that look on his face before. It was the same one he wore the day he’d left for the human realm. And again, when their father had surprised him with Bridget at the start of the tournament, after months of searching.
“Mark my words, I won’t let you leave here,” their father growled, lifting his hand. A flicker of magic shimmered in his palm.
But Cade was faster. He caught their father’s wrist and flung it to the side with a brutal snap. “I don’t have time to fight with you right now. Believe me, Iwouldwin. But right now, you’re not worth wasting the energy.”
Cassia stepped forward to intervene. She’d never seen her father’s face so purple. But Delphine’s hand on her forearm stopped her. Cassia jerked away instinctively. Even that small touch seemed to stir magic under her skin.
Delphine didn’t seem to notice. Her gaze was locked on the argument still transpiring. “He wants me to take him there now,” Delphine whispered, voice barely audible. “To Cavamyne. I don’t know how to say no. You should grab Castor and leave now so you’re ahead of the others.”
“Can you do that?” Cassia asked. She didn’t know what she was more surprised about… Delphineactuallywilling to use her powers, despite the clear reluctance that had hindered her for months. Or the fact she was suggesting she go with Castor without her.
“We’ve already been there. We’re close enough it wouldn’t hurt too much,” Delphine replied with a slight tremble. “I could do it.”
Cassia shook her head. “He needs us as backup. Especially Stellan.”
Turning toward the tree line, Cassia let her gaze find Stellan. He stood still as stone, leaning against a particularly snowy tree with arms crossed. At a glance, he looked bored. But Cassia knew better. There was a stiffness to his shoulders and a subtle flare of energy under his skin that was unmistakable. He was just as anxious as the rest of them.
“You have to stall him,” Cassia demanded. “Stellan may be able to follow, but if something happens and we’re not there in time…”
She couldn’t even finish the sentence. A blinding pain killed the words in her throat.
Delphine’s expression broke. Her dark eyes reflected a truth Cassia already understood. “You know I won’t be able to,” she said.
The stupid knot tightened again. Cassia tried to swallow it down. Eventually, she muttered, “I know.”
The only person who could possibly convince Cadenotto go to Cavamyne… was the one already gone. She’d already almost drowned in his emotions when Nylah had been taken. With Bridget gone… there would be no stopping him.
