Ava let go of her hand and stood, her heart cracking in two. Though she hadn’t known Vivienne well, she thought of her as kind and motherly, and she’d been an advisor for decades.
“My brother trusted you,” Ava said, shaking her head in disbelief, her own voice cracking. “How could you do this to us? To your kingdom?”
Vivienne sobbed. “I know. Please…Please…kill me.”
Ava tensed.
“I’ll be executed anyway back home…And the daemons will do worse,” Vivienne whispered. “I have nothing left. Make it quick. I beg of you.”
“I can’t.” Ava shook her head.
“I’ll do it,” said Raine, voice laced with anger and sadness. “But first, where is Casimir?”
“I don’t know.”
“He hasn’t been in here with you?” Ava asked.
“No. I’ve been the only one here.”
Ava took a deep breath, pushing away the tears of anger and betrayal burning her eyes. Her soulbond was trapped here somewhere, likely being tortured, and she had no idea where he was. Her hands trembled as her magic writhed, aching to be free. It was a living, breathing thing inside of her, hovering below the surface. She didn’t know how much longer she could control it.
Raine asked, “Is there anywhere else in the camp you think he could be?”
Ava shook her head. “I—I don’t know…I was taken to another tent once. But I don’t remember where it was.”
Vines grew around her feet.
“Ava, look at me.”
She met Raine’s eyes.
“You’re on the verge of losing control. I can feel it. Try to stay calm and remember everything I taught you. Go back to the woods and wait. I’ll be right there after I take care ofthis.”
Ignoring the lump in her throat, she turned to Vivienne. “You’re the reason I almost died the night of the ball. And you’re the reason Casimir is now on the verge of his own death.” Ava knelt again and touched Vivienne’s face. “But I know what it’s like to lose your family…and…I forgive you.” Vivienne whimpered, now crying harder. “Please be at peace.”
With one last squeeze of the advisor’s hand, Ava left the tent, hustling back into the cover of the forest.
“Luna,”Ava said.“Do you have any idea where Casimir is?”
He’s not in the tent?
“No.”
Raine arrived as Ava was listening to another message from Luna.
“Shit,” Ava said.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Luna found Aro, but he can’t communicate with Cas. They gave him something.” She paused. “Vivienne?”
“Taken care of.”
“Are you okay?”
“No.” He didn’t even try to hide the haunted look on his face but he cleared his throat and gave her a half smile. “But I will be.”
Maeryn’s coming your way to help free Aro, Luna said.
