Ride through the night she did, occasionally nodding off as the horse galloped below her. But she never fully let go enough to fall asleep in the saddle. The fear in her heart kept her awake and pressing forward.
Chapter 30
Aden frequently found himself sleeping in the library. His small room had grown more oppressive since Isa had left. If Luca and Blanca had noticed his new sleeping arrangement, which they surely had, they said nothing.
He could breathe in the library. The tall ceiling and distant walls did not press in on him. The soft scent of leather and Etrarian tree sap comforted him, helping him sleep.
The days passed slowly. He took Warrior on long walks into the woods, scouting out trails. He avoided the canyon, not wanting to interact with the villagers who ferried across the rope pulley each morning to build the other side of the bridge’s foundation. By now they surely knew of his existence, but he did not want to test how comfortable they were with that knowledge.
Blanca requested new foods from the village, which were delivered over the pulley. She tried to cheer him up by preparing different meals. He happily ate them with her in the kitchen, dragging Luca into their conversations.
But on the ninth morning after Isabel’s departure, another petal fell, leaving only two remaining. Although it had taken over a week for the petal to fall, he was not willing to risk waiting any longer. The final two might fall simultaneously, or they might cling on for days.
Either way, he could not allow himself to become a danger to those who had selflessly done so much for him.
He also could not afford to wait for the tenth day, as he had promised Isabel—he loved her full name, Isabel.
It was time. They had already shared their goodbyes.
He wished his clumsy claws were dexterous enough to pen a letter, but they were not.
He would secretly prepare a pack of food and sneak out of the castle after dark had fallen. Blanca and Luca would only beg him to stay, and he did not know that he was strong enough to resist their pleas.
“This is delicious, Blanca,” Aden said, honestly praising the supper she had made. “I’m always afraid you will try to serve me honey and salted fish, but thus far you’ve spared me.”
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Blanca responded. “There’s always tomorrow.”
Aden smiled in response, not wanting to fully agree with her when he knew he would be gone by tomorrow morning. “Thank you for staying,” he said.
“You have to stop saying that,” Blanca replied. “We were more than happy to remain in these peaceful mountains for an extra time.”
“The clean air has been good for my knees,” Luca added.
Aden smiled again, but this one felt more genuine. He had no idea how clean air contributed to knee health, but he was not going to contradict the old man. “Wait.” He lifted his head, tilting his ear upward. “I hear shouting from the canyon. They’re excited. They’re closer. I think they’ve finished the bridge!”
“Oh wonderful.” Blanca stood from the table. “I would never have made it across that rope contraption alive.”
“Might as well go make sure it’s stable,” Luca contributed, also standing.
Aden joined them. There was no harm in looking at the bridge. He could hang back and avoid the builders.
Luca grabbed a lantern as they stepped out into the deepening dusk.
Aden found himself tuning out their conversation as they stepped down the road. The shouts of excitement from the bridge were growing louder, and something felt... off.
“Stop,” he said suddenly. “Those are not shouts of victory—those are battle cries.”
They could make out moving torches through the trees. Distant shouts clamored up as the group moved along the road.
“It isn’t safe!”
“Kill the beast!”
“Follow me!”
Aden turned to Luca and Blanca, not sure if they could hear it as well. “Back to the villa!”
They ran back as fast as they could.
