Shadow Fall

by Audrey Grey

  But part of me hesitates. This feels wrong. The bombing. The secretiveness. And what happens to the Mercurian if we fail? My father died for it. I have to find it. I have to.

  “All right, Princess,” Flame says, coming up beside me. “We’re ready. Now where’s the Merc?”

  A twig snaps in the woods, and we turn to see a broad shape coming toward us. Brogue has regained his quick, stealthy gait, any evidence of his previous state gone. “Missed you too, little minx.”

  Flame eyes the giant duffel bag strapped to his back. “Any trouble getting them?”

  He chuckles. “Depends on how you define the word. But they won’t be missing them for a while, if that’s your gist.”

  My eyes rivet to the bag weighing him down. Why would we need so many weapons? Brogue turns to me as if to say something, then he freezes. His hand goes for the revolver tucked into his belt just as I hear it: a startled neigh, followed by enraged nickering and branches breaking.

  My eyes search out Riser as a sinking feeling comes over me, but he’s nowhere to be found.

  I know the beast is Poseidon the instant he emerges from the trees, jumpy and snorting, his muscles trembling beneath moon-shimmered flesh. Caspian sits atop him, his hands held in the air, face dark with the righteous anger of a prince not used to being detained. A second later, Riser follows, the sword he holds gleaming softly. Caspian’s empty scabbard hangs from his belt.

  “He was following us,” Riser states, easily ducking an errant kick from Poseidon.

  “Well,” Caspian amends, glancing at me, “to be clear, I was following her.”

  The others exchange looks. This is obviously an unfortunate twist in the plan. The only one not upset by the turn in events is Flame. In fact, the wolfish grin she wears makes me think of the hyena from the maze right before it attacked.

  “Evening, Prince,” Flame purrs, taking Poseidon’s reins while Riser moves to the front, his sword still trained on Caspian.

  Riser nudges the air with the blade. “Dismount.”

  Ignoring Riser, Caspian casts his arrogant gaze on me. “No, I think I won’t.”

  Coming up behind Caspian, Flame cuts off a piece of Poseidon’s reins, and with the help of Riser, forces his arms back, binding his wrists.

  “Do it, little prince,” Flame commands.

  Caspian, who does not look amused at her tone, narrows his eyes at me. “Is this who you are, Lady March? A Fienian terrorist?”

  “Get down,” I say, emotionless, but my heart is screaming.

  “You know what they will do to me.”

  I blink away hot tears. Caspian, the boy who drew me. The boy who didn’t care that I was different, that I was ugly. I know what we have to do, because there’s no other way. He’s seen our faces. If we let him go, we all die. And I can’t let Max down. Not again. Not even for someone whose DNA says I’m supposed to love him.

  Sighing, he swings one long leg over the saddle, his boots crunching the grass. His shoulders bulge as he strains against his binds, but Flame knows her stuff, and they refuse to budge. Poseidon, sensing his master’s distress, wildly swings his huge head as his rear legs punch holes in the air. The others scatter, but Flame somehow manages to hold onto his reins.

  While she works to get Poseidon under control, Rhydian searches Caspian.

  At one point, Caspian says, “I’m sorry about your sister, Merida.”

  Rhydian ignores Caspian. After Rhydian is done searching, he leans down and spits at Caspian’s feet. I want to say something, to comfort Caspian, but it’s probably best if we don’t talk at all. There’s not much I could say now in the way of comfort, anyway, and by this point he probably hates me.

  I gasp as static suddenly buzzes inside my skull. Words float in and out, too far away to hear at first. Then it becomes clearer. It’s easy to decipher the voices as Nicolai and Flame.

  Will she go through with it? Nicolai asks.

  Yes, Flame replies. I think she’s ready.

  Good. He wasn’t supposed to die until tonight, but now is even better.

  It might break her. Flame’s voice is unusually hesitant.

  She’s already broken.

  And that’s when I know they are talking about me. The voices fade. Whatever glitch allowed me to glean their conversation has been resolved.

  I watch Flame whispering with Cage, a small knot forming in my stomach as things start to come together. The large cache of guns; the nano-shredders; the conversation I just heard.

  What aren’t they telling us?

  But there’s no way to stop this now, whatever they have planned. Not without jeopardizing Max’s future and finding the Mercurian. So I take a deep breath and try to act normal as Cage approaches me.

  “You have one final test.” He nods to Caspian.

  Riser hands me Caspian’s sword. The same euphoric feeling I get every time I hold a blade settles in my bones as I glance over the ornate golden hilt, my fingers tracing the ruby-inlaid phoenix on the pommel.

  Brogue leans into me; his thick fingers guide my hand around the grip. “Just like we practiced.”

  The rest hesitate for a moment and then separate, Flame and Rhydian making off to the boats while the others follow Brogue. Riser cuts his worried gaze at me before shadowing the others. Flame is whistling a Fienian tune.

  Dandy Apples, Dandy Apples, smell like roses in the fall.

  When they’re swingin’ and they’re screamin’,

  Ain’t they the dandiest sight of all?

  “I thought you were different,” Caspian says, the fight leaving his eyes. “I thought—”

  “You could have saved them.” My voice sounds robotic. “Brinley. Merida. The others.”

  He shakes his head. “And you think this, whatever you are doing, is what Merida would have wanted?”

  “Don’t talk like you knew her!” But his words wriggle under my skin as I remember my promise to her about making things right. Is that what I’m doing?

  “It’s true. I didn’t know her well, but I would have liked to. Not everyone in court thinks as my father does.” Defeat glimmers his eyes as they settle on me. “Just promise me you won’t hurt my horse.”

  His concern for Poseidon cuts me to the bone. “I promise.”

  I startle as Caspian covers the few feet between us, my sweaty hand clenching the sword grip. “Then what are you waiting for, Lady March?”

  In between the fifth and the sixth intercostal. It’s hardwired into my brain now. All I have to do is think it and the message will instantaneously zip down my nerves, activating the right muscles that will plunge the blade into his heart.

  I point the sword at his chest, the tip cutting into his leather jerkin. My fingers itch.

  Do it.

  I can’t.

  You must.

  No.

  Something inside me snaps, and I am circling around him. My hand touches his shoulder, and my breath spills out, and I bring the sword down.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  The leather strap binding his wrists falls to the ground, and his arms spring free. Caspian lets out a trembling breath. “Why are you releasing me?”

  “Oh, you mean other than the fact I’m apparently the queen of stupid decisions?” I smile sadly. “You’re right, Merida wouldn’t want this.”

  “You know I have to warn the Royal Guard—”

  “No, you don’t.” I close the distance between us, until I’m close enough to feel his breath on my face. My heart pounds in my chest. By letting him live I’m risking everything—and I’m about to take an even bigger risk. Wetting my thumb with my tongue, I scrub my cheeks, revealing my freckles. “Do you remember me now, Prince Caspian?”

  Caspian’s breathing quickens as he looks from one cheek to the other. “But you’re . . . she’s . . . dead.”

  “Then I’m an apparition because it’s me, Maia, the Bronze girl who wrote that silly poem and thought we would get married and life would be perfect.”

  It
’s true, I realize. That’s who I’ve chosen to be. Maia.

  “You’re lying.” His lips purse skeptically, but there’s something there, in his eyes. He wants to believe me.

  “What if I told you there’s a way to stop the asteroid? That my father created a device that could knock it off course, that he hid that device here on the Island before your father murdered him because of it?”

  Caspian’s beautiful golden eyes widen, his lips parted in surprise. “But that would mean . . .”

  “No one has to die. If I can find it—if you help me find it—we can save them, and no more finalists have to suffer.”

  “The others with you know about this? That’s what they’re doing?”

  “No—it’s complicated.” I clear my throat. “But they’re not here to hurt anyone.” I’m astounded at how easily the lie pours from my lips. But I’m hoping somehow I can get to the Sim and find out the Mercurian’s location before the bombs Flame planted go off.

  Maybe, just maybe if I can convince the others there’s a way to stop the asteroid, maybe no one has to get hurt. Maybe it’s not a lie. Maybe. But everything hinges on Caspian.

  As the sound of the revelers from the palace trickle across the lake, Caspian’s eyes search my face. “You’re asking me to trust you, a girl I barely knew years ago. To put the fate of the empire in your hands.”

  “It’s already in my hands, Caspian, whether you’re willing to admit it or not. I can be the change deep down in your heart you know the empire needs—but only if you help me.”

  Our eyes lock, and I will him to believe me. Please, Caspian. We’re running out of time.

  He swallows, massages the blond stubble curving his jaw, and lets out a breath. “Okay, what do I need to do?”

  My body goes slack with relief. “Tell me where to find the Sim.”

  “I’ll do better than that, Lady March. I’ll take you there.”

  Terror. Excitement. Hope. All these conflicting emotions reverberate inside me as I mount Poseidon, Caspian right behind me, his body warm and tight and protective, Poseidon exploding beneath us.

  We pierce the woods. Caspian must sense my urgency because Poseidon tears through the wispy, crooked path. With Caspian locked onto me, our bodies draped low to avoid the scraping branches, his chin cradling my neck, it feels as if we are one creature, rising and falling together, hearts in tandem. The smell of horse sweat and damp foliage fill my nostrils. A branch rips at my dress and I cry out, but Caspian clings to me, using his entire body to hold me steady, keep me safe.

  Part of me hates how good this feels, Caspian and me, how right, because it stands in direct opposition to my feelings for Riser; but the other part knows this is how it was always supposed to be. Maia and Caspian.

  It was fated in the stars, in our DNA.

  Branches, leaves, bits of sky, they jumble together as my hope blossoms. Stars stretch the horizon, the green valley unfurling beneath Poseidon’s hooves. Tears sting my eyes. This isn’t some trick; Caspian is really taking me to the Sim. My father will tell me where to find the Mercurian, and there won’t have to be any bombings, or trials. The Sleepers can wake up. No one has to execute the Emperor. No one else has to get hurt.

  Everything my father wanted, everything he died for is finally coming to pass. And Max will be safe.

  I’m coming, Daddy. My body aches from the maze, Poseidon’s violent gate jostling my bones, but I feel so light, as if Caspian’s embrace is the only thing keeping me from floating away.

  Caspian’s lips whisper right next to my ear, “Almost there.”

  The marshlands. Poseidon’s hooves kick up sprays of water, and I close my eyes. I’m coming, Daddy. The lake shimmers in the distance. Caspian spurs Poseidon into a furious gallop, and we seem to be gliding over the water, reeds whipping my legs.

  I’m coming, Daddy.

  The shoreline. My boots hit the ground before Poseidon can make a full stop. Brackish water weighs down the hem of my skirt, and I lift it to my calves, my boots sinking in mud. There, just before the beginning of Penumbria Forest, the stairs that must lead down below, beneath the lake. That’s where my father hid the Sim.

  Poseidon rears, ears flattened as he knickers nervously.

  “Wait—” Caspian orders, tugging the reins as he works to calm Poseidon.

  But I only half hear him.

  I’m coming.

  My boots churn the sand. And it’s like one of those horrible dreams where no matter how hard I try, I can hardly move.

  “Wait, Everly!” I hear Caspian dismount behind me.

  Daddy . . . Tears stream down my cheeks, melt my vision. The opening to the stairs yawns wide. Daddy!

  And then, for some reason, I stop. Every nerve fiber in my body screams something is wrong.

  Terribly, terribly wrong.

  The shadow that stirs from the stairwell is tall and slender, like an arrow. I see my hand is holding the dagger from my bodice, the one meant for the Emperor, although I don’t remember grabbing it.

  “Move!” I shout, desperation cracking my voice.

  The slender shadow laughs. A twang and the sand at my feet explodes. My eyes find the black-feathered arrow still twitching. The kind the Gold Cloaks use.

  Caspian betrayed me.

  But, no, he is unsheathing his sword, his eyes glinting with rage. Dark shadows spill from the trees, their gold cloaks swirling around them. They hold golden crossbows, the sabers at their waists glinting. They encircle Caspian, making hardly a sound.

  Moonlight twinkles along Caspian’s sword as he raises it, pivoting round and round to fix each one with an arrogant, murderous glare. The lifted corner of his mouth tells me some part of him actually enjoys this. “I take it you know who I am, so you know I mean what I say. Anyone that leaves now will be pardoned.”

  In answer, the Gold Cloaks trade their crossbows for sabers.

  Caspian shrugs, running his fingertip over the razor-sharp edge of his sword. “Have it your way.”

  The shadow laughs again. “Disarm the Prince,” she orders the Guard. “Remember, the Emperor doesn’t want his firstborn son seriously injured, but a few cuts and bruises might do the royal brat some good.”

  I turn away, cringing at the metal-on-metal sound of swords clashing. Caspian may take out a few, but not enough to matter.

  The shadow removes the hood of her cloak. Although I already know who it is, my knees hit the sand, the dagger slipping through my fingers. Every bit of hope I have bleeds from me, replaced by fear.

  “Oh dear,” says the Archduchess. “Someone’s not happy to see me.”

  Chapter Forty

  The horse that carries me to my death shifts sideways, trying to dislodge me. My bound hands grip the saddle pommel, and I squeeze my thighs to stay mounted. I’ve heard somewhere animals can feel your fear.

  Surely this horse feels mine.

  The Archduchess sits tall and erect on the black horse in front of me. How proud she must be feeling. After all this time searching, she can finally present me to the Emperor, a gift with a shiny Bronze bow on top. At least they don’t have Max. Not that it matters now. Because of my choice, he’s going to perish on D-Day, knowing I failed him.

  I crane my neck, searching for Caspian, but the Archduchess yanks the rope connected to my bonds and I fall forward, almost toppling from my horse. Caspian is the only hope I have now. Surely he won’t just let them kill me.

  Surely he’ll do something.

  The revelers already pack the lawn around the fountain, their happy, drunk voices stirring the air. No one notices me, a girl bound and hidden beneath a cloak, in the middle of ten Gold Cloaks. They must be really drunk.

  We dismount. More Golds pack the castle. Torches line the hallways, and I count each one, thinking maybe if I concentrate on something, I can ease the fear that vices my chest and makes it impossible to breathe.

  Massive marble doors part, and I’m led into the throne room. My breath catches at the sight of the Emp
eror. His silky purple-and-green damask robe slithers along the tile as he approaches. He is smiling.

  “Hello, Maia.” His voice is conversational, almost friendly. He waves the Royal Guard away. They retreat to the four corners of the room, their sharp eyes riveted to me. “I see you have been reconstructed into one of us.” I flinch as he runs a finger over my cheek. “But we both know beneath that layer of perfect flesh, you’re still a worm.”

  My spit makes a shiny splatter over his nose and left cheek, a glob hanging from his eyebrow. The floor squeaks as the Gold Cloaks move toward me in unison, but the Emperor holds up a hand.

  At least he’s no longer smiling.

  The Archduchess makes a strange squeal of horror. Then she’s flitting over the Emperor, wiping desperately at his face with the hem of her cloak, her breathing ragged. He tries to push her away, but she persists, rubbing the dark silk in tiny, sacrosanct circles over his flesh, as if she’s polishing precious silver. The sight is so bizarre I can’t look away, despite the revulsion their strange intimacy gives me.

  “Enough,” the Emperor growls.

  As she backs away, her eyes fall on me and I know I’ll pay for my insolence.

  The Emperor clears his throat, holding out his white-gloved hand. “Shall we, Maia?”

  When I hesitate, the Archduchess hits me in the back, and I stumble forward. His hand captures mine. The Archduchess takes his other arm, and he leads us out onto the huge balcony, the Royal Guard shadowing, to the sound of roaring cheers.

  For the first time since Caspian helped me onto his horse, I think about the others. Have they already been captured? Is that how the Emperor knew where to find me? My eyes scour the fountain for any signs, but it’s too far away, and Flame would have hid the bombs anyway. The crowd? But it’s impossible to make out anyone in that dense mob.