It’s my hope that no one hears from me until after Knox is taken care of.
A sharp tap sounds on my balcony doors, breaking my thoughts and halting my steps. Peering out into the darkness, I’m surprised to see the long brown wings of Weston snap out and fold back again as he waits impatiently on the balcony’s floor. Irritated, it seems, that I’ve left him outside for so long.
“Sorry!” I shout, hurrying to let him in. I open the door, and he flies into the room, setting up perch on my chair.
“Have you not rested, Brave? Even you should know that decision to be very unwise.”
I want to say that pecking at my door past midnight is very unwise as well, but I decide it’s best to be civil. If Weston is here at this hour, he’s either worried or he has something important to tell me.
Probably both.
“I’ve tried, Weston, but there’s something about the thought of facing a fire-breathing madman that keeps my eyes from falling shut. Believe me when I say I wish I could be angry with you for waking me up in the middle of the night. Now I’m just wondering what it is you’re up to.”
Weston’s head ticks down, his chocolate eyes narrowing as I plop down on the bed, curling my legs to the side. Without meaning to, I shiver, taking stock of his sharp claws that dig into the arm of the chair. Even though I know he won’t hurt me, it’s still unsettling to see your papa’s former guard in the body of a sleek and fearsome hawk. “I come with news of your sister.”
His words nearly shock me right out of my skin. I lean forward, a jumble of questions clogging my throat. “What? You’ve spoken to her? Do you know if she’s safe?”
Weston’s head ticks again, eyes refocusing with each movement. “After meeting with Reeve, I flew over the mountain to where Sam said he’d last seen Aras. Your sister was there, readying to rejoin your father and start her journey through the mountain. She was unharmed, and shockingly free to move about on her own. According to Vivi, she has gained your father’s trust, as he believes her to be the ‘good daughter’ who broke away in an effort to save her skin and warn him to save his.”
My mind reels at the thought of Vivi being trusted by Knox, overwhelmed to learn that her insane plan might have actually worked. And if she has been given some freedoms, then certainly she’s used all her power to make sure Aras’ burn is properly healed before infection sets in.
“And what of Aras? Has she been able to check on him?” I rise from the bed, the floors calling my name as I begin to pace them once again.
“I’m not sure, Brave.” He hesitates, and I whirl around on my toes, afraid to hear his answer. “When it came to discussing Aras, Vivi was short, and though she wouldn’t admit it, afraid. He was never supposed to follow her into those woods, and now he has suffered a great amount because he did. Your sister feels responsible. While she can’t do much in front of Knox’s men, she does try to help him when she can. If she pushes for his care, Knox’s circle may start to suspect something amiss. After all, Aras’ promise has been broken, and Knox still believes it to have been broken by you. If she starts to show sympathy for him, it will seem as though she aligns with you and your actions, rather than what she claims.”
Even though it’s not exactly what I want to hear, I do understand Vivi’s concerns. She’s made a mess of our plans and has marched right into our enemy’s lair. I realize she is going to have to compromise and let some actions slide, but Aras? He’s not some tool to be traded.
In my eyes, he’s everything.
“Then I’m going to trust my little sister to know when enough is enough. If Aras’ health takes a turn for the worse, she will act, won’t she?”
Weston’s wings expand and fold again, the deep brown of the top feathers lightened by the speckled white ones underneath. “Yes, it is my understanding that Vivi will not allow Aras’ health to deteriorate any more than it already has. You must trust that she feels terrible, Brave. She never wanted anyone to get hurt, and I think that was her main motive in creating this elaborate scheme.”
I click my tongue, too upset to say anything I won’t regret. Tears begin to swim in my eyes, clouding my vision of the massive bird perched elegantly on my chair. Even though sleep evades me, it feels as if I’m dreaming now.
“Please don’t worry, Brave,” Weston continues, catching the slight hitch in my breath. “When I delivered your missive to Reeve, he assured me the army would be taken care of. He was also quite on board with your plans for Orien’s future. Even though he is a bit rough around the edges, I think you’ve done well to have him as a cousin. He will look after you, just as Vivi will look after Aras. All you need to focus on is playing the part when your father arrives.”
A humorless laugh leaves my throat, and I square my shoulders, ready to hear what my part entails. “Oh? And what role does my little sister wish for me to play?”
Weston’s beak parts, and I swear it’s almost a smile. “The role of the angry sister, Brave. Something tells me you’ll play it well.”
“Yes,” I agree, picturing my father as he dangles my sister and Aras in front of my eyes for all to see. “I most certainly will.”
Thirty-Three
“It would make me feel a lot better if you stayed hidden behind the gate. I can easily call you if I find myself in trouble. You’d only be a few paces away.”
I toe my boot in the dirt, the early morning dew still fresh on the grass. Ian stands before me, eyes hooded as if he can’t believe I had the gall to try to persuade him again. It turns out my attempt to keep him safe has become quite the flop.
“I’m not hiding, Penelope. Not when you’re about to face your father. This is my city, too. It’s my job to protect them.” He finishes his words by placing two heavy hands on his hips, looking down at me as if to dare me to try to push the subject even more.
I sigh, deciding not to point out that Theron isn’t actually my city, but I want to save her all the same. Ever since Weston flew into my room as his feisty, feathered self, I’ve been irritated beyond belief. Irritated and worried, if the two feelings can coexist. I’m beginning to think they can, and when they do, they amount for one jumbled mess of piping anger.
Hopefully in this way, I can give my sister what she needs for her plan to work.
Ian catches my hand, tugging it until I look up to meet his eyes. “Hey, I know you’re upset. The weight of our world is literally riding on your shoulders. With all of that stress, isn’t it unwise to waste another ounce of worry on me? Besides, you know I’d never allow you to face Knox on your own. I’d be a horrible ex-betrothed if I did.”
This time, his words force a tight smile to slide its way onto my face. “I suppose you’re right, even if you are annoyingly so. You must promise me to stay safe, though. If I see you attempt to attack Knox or one of his men on your own, I’m building a wall of flames around your hide.”
Ian tugs me toward the closed gates that still block us off from the rest of the world. “I’d hope for no less, Penelope. I don’t plan on attacking anyone unless they attack me first. That is still the plan, correct?”
I feel myself nod, even as my mind takes me somewhere else. After I spoke with Weston, and caught a few rough hours of sleep, the first plan on my agenda was to find Ian and tell him the additional information I had learned from Vivi. If her idea is going to work, then Ian and I must present a united front. If it looks like we aren’t angry with Vivi for her betrayal, Knox will sniff us out in a heartbeat. The only other option was to convince Ian to stay hidden behind the gates.
Obviously, that plan didn’t go the way I had hoped.
“Are you ready?” Ian places his hand on the tall gate, ready to lift the latch and expose us to the possible horrors that wait outside.
I take a deep breath, willing my heart to slow and my mind to clear.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say.
ↄ
The cobblestone road lays before us, stretching out straight until it bends in a curve, blendin
g into the trees. Not far from that bend, it ends, where I know the exit to the mountain’s tunnel to sit. For the moment, the road stands empty. Quiet. Not even the whisper of limbs as they wrestle with the wind.
It’s as if there are only two souls left on the earth, and they belong to us.
Out of the corner of my eye, movement catches my attention near the woods. Although I’m thankful to see that Darcy and the rest of Ashen have heeded my advice and taken cover in the trees, I’m still concerned they may be too close. If Knox senses their presence, he’ll try to take control of their will. It’s the very reason I begged Papa to stay tucked away with the others unless I called for his help. While I’ve worked on my control during our time together in the woods, I couldn’t communicate with more than five animals at a time. I’m trusting most of Ashen is waiting deeper in the forest.
Tentatively, I reach out, feeling for their minds, thankful when I only find the four I’ve worked with the most. Just in case Knox is near, I decide it’s best to whisper my thoughts. “I told you guys to stay as far away as you could. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised; you never listened to me when I was at home either. Why start now?”
A series of collective laughs fill my mind, each one more strained than the next. The underbrush shifts, and the silver coats of Sara and Crisp come into view. Darcy edges closer to the grass, a sleek Weston perched on her back.
“You know us better than to think we’d venture too far away,” Darcy says, somehow making her whispers come off more like a growl. Even though I’d never dare to tell her so, she makes being a bear look good. Natural, even. I think it’s the years of practice she had running about and worrying after me. And now look what I’ve done.
I’ve endangered her even more.
“I mean it, Darcy. I can’t have the four of you getting hurt. Aside from Papa, you’re all I have left of my old life. I can’t lose you, too. So please, even though you don’t want to go far, I need you to at least be out of sight. If not for your sake, then for mine.” I pause, knowing my next words are unfair, even if I do need them safe. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to concentrate knowing you’re so close to Knox’s reach. If anything happened to you, I’d be devastated.”
Darcy lowers her head, causing Sara and Crisp’s paws to shift in the dirt when they sense her indecision. Finally, she glances up, dark eyes round and serious. “We’ll leave, but we won’t go far. Be safe, Penelope Brave, but more importantly, be fierce.”
I slide my hand over my heart, knowing it’s the one promise I can give. “With my life,” I say.
Satisfied I’ll fight with every ounce of courage I’ve got, she turns to leave, silently urging the others to follow. It’s not until they are out of sight, their muted whispers but a dull buzz in my ear, when I finally allow myself to breathe.
“They love you very much.” Ian comes to stand by my side. Our arms brush, and a mixture of fire and ice awaken at the touch. His eyes peer into the dense forest, seeing things even I cannot. “Which means they’ll come at the first sign of trouble. We’ll have to be ready.”
I nudge his arm, the only sign I’ve heard what he said. I thought the very same as they wandered off, giving us space, but not quite enough. It doesn’t shock me that Ian cares so much. For one, it is his way, and for another, he seems to have become particularly fond of Sara. I’ll have to be vigilant, even more so than I had originally planned, because if I don’t make a move to save my friends, Ian will.
And no good would come from the Theron prince being harmed.
“We’ve got this, Ian. No matter what happens, we’re prepared. We have to be.”
He shifts his stance, head whipping back toward the cobbled road. “It’s a good thing,” he says, grabbing my hand and holding on tight, “because I think our guests have arrived.”
A jolt of fear races across my chest, and I follow his gaze to where the road meets the trees. Sure enough, I see him. Tall, broad shoulders set off by the thick red bands that wrap around his white tunic’s arms. Short, dark hair. The perfectly angled beard. A vicious smile, made especially for me.
As if out of instinct, my lips curl up, a flash of white teeth highlighting my words. “Hello, Father. I’ve missed you.”
He laughs, head turning back to draw my attention to the ones he has in tow. I know he’s goading me, daring me to look beyond his face and see our meeting for what it really is.
A battle of wits. Of desires. Of heart.
Unfair to its very core.
But I don’t give in. I don’t so much as move my gaze from his arrogant face. He has my world in his hands, ready to crush it whenever he sees fit.
If only he knew he’s no longer in control.
When my gaze doesn’t waver, a tiny fissure of uncertainty cracks his confident grin. The change is so quick, so subtle, I’d think I had imagined it if it weren’t for the rough edge of his voice. “Hello, daughter. I do believe I’ve missed you more.”
And so, it begins.
Thirty-Four
In the amount of time it takes for Knox and his men to fully emerge from the woods, a slow and easy gait designed to pry under my skin, I’ve already calculated our odds of coming out on top of this fight. Twice. It came out the same each time.
Very little to none.
For while I worked hard to avoid the inevitable—to notice Aras and Vivi as they stand by his side—my mind has never been strong enough to overrule my heart. If the odds are based on my ability to keep my head straight, then I fear we’ve already lost.
Aras stands to Knox’s left, his hands tied behind his back. Hammel towers over him with a tight grip on Aras’ arm, yanking his shoulders in a painful position. His chin sags against his chest. He tries to look at me, but strands of dark hair block his vision. He has been changed into a white tunic and pants, the Orien O stitched over his heart. His normally smooth olive skin is covered with stubble, and a haunting paleness has formed in its place.
The rest of Knox’s promised men stand behind him in a semicircle, protecting their master where he cannot see. Their eyes survey the unmanned gates and the surrounding woods, taking in every surface until they’re sure it’s safe.
I try to keep my expression blank, a cool canvas that only I have the permission to paint. I will not let my father control me. I will not let him break me. Not even with the sight of my sister.
Vivi stands to his right, and unlike Aras, her chin is held high. Unharmed. Proud. Expression void of any feeling whatsoever. She, too, is dressed in Orien white. She’s even holding our father’s hand.
It’s my dream, brought to life.
“You look alive, little one. I see your time in Theron has treated you well. So well, you’ve decided to bring your betrothed out to the gates as part of our formal greeting party. I’d like to say I didn’t expect as much, but since I’ve had your sister to fill me in on your dealings since you’ve been gone, I find I am right on target once again.” The sharp angles of his beard pull against his cheeks as his mouth twists into an ugly smile. “We are blood, after all. I suppose I should be glad to see there is some deceit that lives in your heart.”
I fight the urge to flinch, to wipe his slimy words off my body and out of my mind before they take root and settle in. We may be blood, but that is all we will ever be. I will never be his. So even though it kills me, strips me to my very core, I play along with his game. I take the role my sister has pushed me to become.
And I don’t look back.
“Is that true? Tell me, what secrets did our dear Viviana have to share? Aside from pining to be the daughter you covet most.” I cut my eyes to her face, letting the full brunt of my malice soak into her skin. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do, made worse by the way her head bobs back, just enough for me to take notice. My heart fights against me, begging my mind to make this better. To undo everything before it’s to be done. But this time, I don’t listen. I don’t budge.
For how can I when my sister’s ver
y life may be at stake?
Behind me, Ian steps forward, not close enough to touch, but near enough for me to feel the icy cool of his magic, preparing for a fight. I clench my fists, the subtle movement drawing Knox’s eye. He looks to Vivi, sizing up her blank face. Seemingly happy with what he sees, he sets his sights on me once more.
“Your sister was helpful where it counted the most, but there’s one question she was never able to answer. I’d like to hear the truth from you.”
I shift my stance, rolling my shoulders back and preparing for a fight. I have a good idea of what he’s about to ask, and if I’m correct, it has everything to do with the chained boy kneeled beside him.
And the promise that came undone.
“I can’t imagine there’s much more you need to know.”
He narrows his eyes, calling my bluff. “How did you do it, Brave? Promises like his are not easily overcome. Viviana was able to supply me with the why, although I already knew that well enough. I’d be a fool not to see how much you love him, and I’d be an even greater fool not to use this knowledge to my advantage. She told me you set him free because you didn’t want him hanging over your head, clouding your judgment when it matters most.” He quiets, a look of pride lighting his face. “On that front, I think you’ll be pleased to hear that we agree. I’ve always felt that attachments have no place in the game of life or death. You must fight for yourself—never for someone else.”
I risk a glance at Vivi, trying hard to keep the malice in my eye. “I see she didn’t spare any of the details. How thoughtful of her.”
Knox leers at my lie, eating it up and spitting it out at my feet. I know there are more than a few details that Vivi left out. My father does, too.
The Reigning Star Page 18
