“What do you mean, out of the loop?” I break away, rounding to the end of the balcony and back again. “This is about Aras, isn’t it? He made plans he didn’t want me to know about. It’s why he was intent on Ian ushering us out the door.”
Mother makes some sort of noncommittal sound in her throat, stuck between disappointing her daughter and ratting out the one boy who she has come to love as a son. She grasps my hand once more, her obvious discomfort lessening when Vivi draws near, wrapping her arm around my side and leaning on my shoulder. “Aras has always been a sneaky fox, Brave, promised soul or not. This shouldn’t come as such a surprise.”
I look down at my little sister, unsure if I should give her a light squeeze or squeeze her harder yet. “I know, but with our murderous father bearing down on everyone’s necks, I think we at least deserve to be let in on the secrets.”
“It’s not as bad as you think,” Papa answers, whispering his thoughts for the first time all day. “It actually involves help from another force. A force I believe you know well.”
A force I know well? There’s only one other force I’m aware of, and considering the terms on which we parted, I highly doubt we’ll find any help there. “Do you mean The Lost? Are we really considering contacting Reeve and his men? You do understand the last time we saw each other, I left him passed out in a ring of fire?”
Vivi giggles, the sound muffled against my side. “Sorry, but that story never gets old.”
“Trust me; it will when you meet. It’s not every day you get to converse with a cousin as delightful as him.”
Unfortunately, my words only serve to rile my sister more. “Then maybe he can be my new sparring partner.”
“Vivi!” Mother chides, pulling us both into a tight hug. “Reeve is family, and he’s been through a lot. Unlike you two, he didn’t have anyone to depend on when Knox banished him into the woods at such a youthful age. He had to adapt to his circumstances. Yes, he may have developed some ill feelings toward us over time, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is your cousin. Families stick together.” She pauses, looking down at Papa with a glowing affection building in her good eye. “Blood or not.”
“She’s right, Brave.” Papa nudges my leg once more. I kneel, peering into his bright blue eyes—a fathomless pool of encouragement and love. The window to my past, and the steady reliance of my future. “Reeve and his men will help, not because he wants to, but because he is bound to. No matter his feelings for you, Reeve’s actions must live and breathe for a higher cause—Theron’s peace. Besides, his role isn’t one that will allow the two of you to cross paths, as his dealings will be kept to the woods.”
The woods. I had forgotten Reeve’s curse, the one that bound him to the endless trees and shadowed grounds. But if he can’t leave the woods, then how could he possibly help? I open my mouth to ask as much, but Papa senses the question brewing in my thoughts. “He’s going to stop the Orien army before they reach our gates.”
“But if he cuts off the army before they reach Theron, won’t that show our hand to Knox?”
My question is met with a cool silence—both from Mother’s hardened grip on the rail and Vivi’s tense stance by my side. Each of them itching to be a part of this one-sided conversation, to know the answer to Papa’s words even more than I.
Papa’s eyes turn soft, and his left ear twitches, revealing the concern behind his words. “The army will travel after Knox. The hope is Knox will not be aware of his men’s troubles before he comes across some trouble of his own.”
“When we meet him at the gate?” I provide, understanding the danger of our plan more than anyone. That by putting ourselves between my father and Theron, we will face his fury head-on, with nothing to protect us if we fail.
His tail flicks in response, and the edge of a growl balances in his throat. “Yes, when you take him down at the gate.”
A wave of hysteria crashes against my lips, and the smallest of laughs escapes into the air. Vivi latches onto my shoulder, seemingly afraid I’ll run from the room—the manic sister with nowhere to go but down. But I can’t fall now; I can’t let the fear win. I must give them my all, even if it’s not enough.
“That’s it, then? We’ll contact Reeve and his men, and the rest will be left to those who stand guard at the gate?”
“For the most part,” Mother says, drawing my attention to her scarred face. She kneels by my side, cupping my cheeks in her palms and placing a cool kiss upon my brow. “But you mustn’t be afraid, my daughter. You were born to right your father’s wrongs, and in a little over a week’s time, you will accomplish that goal. The most important thing to remember is you are not alone in this fight. Together, we will all fight, in any way we can help.”
A funny feeling tingles in my chest, stealing my breaths and flushing my skin. “What do you mean, all, Mother? Who else will be risking their lives to join this fight?”
For the first time since we’ve met, Mother’s expression falters, unease lighting the grooves of her ruined cheek. She grabs my hands, pulling up until I’m wrapped in her arms and her chin rests on my shoulder. When her whispers finally find my ear, I’m not sure if I’m ready to hear the words that have frightened my steely mother so much she cannot bear to look me in the face. “Do you remember when you first left Ashen and all of your people kneeled before you in the streets?”
“Yes, but how did you—”
“I know because it was expected, their commitment to you and your cause. You see, it was never your papa alone who took on your care, but the city of Ashen as a whole. You belong to them, Brave, whether you believe it or not. You say you’ve never wanted to be a princess, but all this time, you already were. And trust me, my love, the people of Ashen will keep true to their word. They will protect you, no matter the—”
“They’ll what?” I jerk away, fresh tears swimming in my eyes, drowning out the words I never expected to hear. Never wanted to hear. That the people of Ashen feel as though they owe me. That they’ll throw away their seclusion… their protection, all for the bossy, strong-willed girl who never fully understood their worth.
At once, visions of Weston and the people of Ashen float in the air, clouding my mother’s piercing gaze and pinched lips. Suddenly, I feel her words as if they were burned upon my skin. A slow, fiery ink written deep within my soul. Their kneeling by the road. Weston’s bold words that spoke of a purpose and a destiny I was once far too naïve to understand. They said they’d be waiting. They said I would set them free.
They said they would be waiting for my return.
“They’re going to leave the boundaries, Brave.” Papa’s whispers cut through the fog, pulling me back from the place where fear promises to steal my strength. “We’ve already sent the missive. By the time he sets out to meet Reeve, they’ll be on their way, waiting for him to lead them home. Waiting for him to lead them to you.”
Wait, he?
“But you shouldn’t worry,” he continues, unaware of the grip his words hold on my throat. “Although the change to animal is difficult at first, it will help to have someone familiar to lead the way. I know it sounds strange, but they’ll search for his scent, and once they find it, there’s not a thing in the world that could lead them astray.”
The grip becomes tighter, each new word digging sharpened claws into my neck. Someone familiar? There’s only one person who that could be, and surely he knows better. Surely he won’t risk his hide when we’ve already saved it twice.
No. No. I refuse to believe he would have the audacity to leave the safety of these walls. That he could leave us… me without another thought for his well-being. For our well-being.
“Aras will meet them, Brave.” His words ravage the air around me, slicing through my thoughts and cutting them off before I have the chance to unravel at my family’s feet. “He volunteered, and I have to agree it makes the most sense. The people of Ashen know his scent well, whether they’d like to admit it or not. You have to remember
they’ll be in their animal form, which means they’ll make the trip in less than half the time it would take you on foot. Aras won’t have to adventure far in order to lead them back. After he meets with Reeve, it will simply be a matter of them catching his scent.”
I choke back the hurt, the utter fear for my handsome prince. The very one who I always seem to be losing. The boy I’m not ready to let go of yet. “But where is he? Aras can’t take off on his own—it’s too dangerous. What if Hammel is still out there? What if he watches Aras leave and decides to follow? Better yet, what if that idiot Reeve tries to hurt him? The pair never got along well, and that was before Reeve knocked him out and Aras promised himself to the enemy!”
My words come out in a heated rush, echoing across the open courtyard below. Vivi flinches at my side, her tiny fingers tightening on my arm. Papa watches me, those same piercing eyes that have carried me through every trial now tearing up as he takes me in.
“He’s already gone.”
Ten
Gone.
That’s what he said. A word so simple, yet it cuts so deep.
It’s why my hands shake as I throw open the door to our room, barely sparing Sireen a glance as she jumps at our entrance. The soft blue fabric in her hands is completely forgotten as it glides to the floor. Vivi stumbles in behind me, eyes wide as she slams the door shut. I charge to the middle of the room, pulse singing as I decide what to do next.
Because the thoughts… they just swim, and they swim, and they—
Warm fingers clutch my own, a powerful touch that pulls my thoughts from the rushing waters. Rights my sail when it has torn and is out of control. “What did Mother say, Brave?” Her green eyes stare up at me, a serious edge to match her demanding tone, and I wonder when my little sister grew to be so strong. So fierce. So brave. “Because whatever advice she gave you, you need to take it. Take it, and never look back. I’ve lived with our mother for fourteen long years, and never once has she led me astray. You astray. Even from afar, she always had your best interests at heart. Now, I’ll ask again—what did she say?”
Mother’s muffled words funnel back, a soothing cool against my raging heat. Before I left, running from the room, she had pulled me into her arms, her ruined cheek crushed against my own. A plea so quiet, I barely heard it over the pounding of my heart. When she had said her peace, I simply kissed her brow and rubbed a hand down Papa’s silky fur. Pledging my love for them both.
And then I was gone. Just like him.
“She said to go after him.” Vivi stills by my side, head listing as if she hasn’t quite heard me right. Behind her, Sireen nods with encouragement, telling me to continue when my little sister can’t. “She said that sometimes men are stubborn like this. That they believe they can conquer the world on their own, when all along, they are missing their other half—the one piece that makes them whole.” My hand reaches out, cupping Vivi’s cheek as confusion fills her eyes. “She said that no matter what the Theron queen believes, Aras is my half, and without one another, we won’t be complete.”
Air puffs out of her lips, and her cheeks deflate beneath my hands. “That certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. Geez. Especially that missing half bit. Mother never said anything near as dramatic to me, but then again, I guess I wasn’t of courting age yet.” For a moment, her eyes widen, and she looks away before I can catch the embarrassment building in her thoughts. “Ashen help me when I am, and that’s not even my city.”
My breathing finally slows at her words, the obvious discomfort cracking my previous panic. “And that’s not the worst of it, little sister.” My hands fall away, and I lean down, whispering close to her ear. “She said I should bring Ian along as well.”
Vivi gasps, staggering back in surprise. “I’ve changed my mind. Perhaps you shouldn’t listen to everything our mother says. It seems she isn’t as sound of mind as she once was. Maybe it was all the smoke, or the near coma she was left in for days… either way, I’m beginning to fear that her advice cannot be trusted. I mean really, Ian? Not to mention how in the great skies above he is going to explain this to his mother. Oh, nothing to worry with, my mother queen. I’m just going to follow my betrothed into the dark and dangerous woods while she chases after the other man whom she wishes to marry. Also, there may be some strange men-beasts involved, not to mention her lunatic cousin. But all is well, you’ll see. I’ll either come back dead or unmarried or both.”
“Now you can understand my predicament.” The words roll off my tongue with a heavy lull, and I find my boots sliding across the floors until my legs bang into the bed. Falling back in a heap, I sigh against the pillows, content to let the mattress swallow me whole, when another face swarms above my vision.
“If I may be so bold, Brave.” Sireen’s stern gaze freezes me in her sights, but it’s not only the look in her eyes that has me on edge. It’s the tattered pack and dagger she has gripped in her hands. A dagger that happens to have a parchment wrapped tightly around its hilt. “When I saw Aras take his leave, I took the liberty of packing your bag with a few essentials, along with the dagger that poor boy left under your pillow, of all the lovely places.”
I sit up, too stunned to speak. Sireen, my resilient, perfectly mouthy handmaiden, has rocked my world in the strangest of ways, and I couldn’t be more proud.
“If you ask me, the decision isn’t quite as hard as you might think. In fact, I do believe I’ve already made it for you.”
“Sireen—”
“And don’t waste your thanks on me, missy.” She squares her shoulders, holding out the pack until I take it in my hands. “If you leave now, you’ll catch him before he rides out. The poor boy dragged his feet long enough in here; goodness knows he’s bound to do it in the stables even more.”
“Wait!” I stand to my feet, a sudden burst of energy clearing my head and mending my heart. “What do you mean I can still catch him before he rides out? I thought he left.”
Sireen smirks and her brows arch in the haughtiest of ways. It’s the best look I’ve seen on her yet. “It’s just as I said, the boy should have left hours ago, but he was dragging his feet. Queen Ingrid is right—most men run off on their own, determined to take on the world by themselves before they realize their mistake. But maybe we should give Aras a little more credit. He seemed to know exactly what he was missing, and I have a feeling it was you.”
My lips press, begging for a smile, and I can feel the kiss of heat blooming across my cheeks.
I hope it was me as well.
“But what about Ian and the queen?” I balk, shaking my head as my sister tugs me toward the door. “I can’t possibly ask him to leave Theron and risk his safety for a city of animals he doesn’t know.”
Sireen waves me off with a flick of her hand, so different from the quiet woman of Orien who I’ve come to know. “Don’t you worry about Ian. Vivi and I will see to him. I have a feeling it might be in Theron’s best interests for him to meet with that raging cousin of yours. If Ian’s people are going to be kept safe, he needs Reeve’s assistance to distract the Orien army. He can’t afford to let bad blood ruin Theron’s hope of survival. I know the queen will see it his way as well. And as for the people of Ashen, it’s not every day a prince can say he’s gotten to meet a village full of beasts. I think he might find it quite fun.”
“Sireen?” I question, pausing to look back before Vivi can push me out the door. “Who are you?”
“A smart woman tired of living under a tyrant’s rule,” Vivi answers, pulling me into a quick hug. “Trust us; Ian and I will be down to the stables before you can so much as scold Aras for putting us through this mess.”
“You and Ian?”
“Yes! You didn’t think I’d let you go meet our arrogant cousin and a pack of wild animals by yourself, did you? There may be some adventures you can leave your little sister out of, but this is not one of them.”
“Noted.” I grin, tugging on her braid for good luck.
“Oh
, and Brave?” she adds, catching my hand before I leave.
“What is it?”
“The letter.” She nods toward the dagger, clutched tightly in my hand. The worn parchment crinkled under the pressure. “If I’m going through all this trouble, the least you could do is tell me what it says.”
Sireen snorts, but when I catch her eye, she pretends to fold back into herself—the quiet handmaiden who never challenges her charge. Now I know better, and I love her even more for it.
Peeling the paper back from the hilt, I open the letter, breathing in the words as if they were my own.
My Bravest Penelope,
I’ll miss you. Skies above, I’ll miss you. I’ll also miss your blanket. Where is Darcy and her sneaky ways when I need her the most? Now I’m left with only the memory of your fiery temper to keep me warm.
Please don’t forget me,
Your Handsome Prince
“Well?” Vivi’s question breaks my thoughts, and I look up to find her brows raised. “What does it say?”
“It says I should go to him.”
And so, I do.
Eleven
I find him in the stables. His back turned so the taunt muscles of his shoulders slide against his tunic as he lays a saddle across the horse. His short, dark waves conceal the edges of his face, but it can do nothing to keep his true feelings from my heart. The ones that jump out across any space between us, like tiny sparks of lightning connecting our souls. Sealing our fate in this stormy path we dare to take. He can’t hide anything from me. Not the slight sag of his shoulders as he brushes his hand down the mare’s back, readying her to his touch. Nor the sad tone of his whistle as he ties his pack onto the saddle.
And that worry he carries like a cloak? The unhappiness that consumes his every thought? They are mine.
The Reigning Star (The Orien Trilogy, Book 3) Page 6