“How am I to know every piece of paper that leaves your father’s hands? He is a King, Braizen. A King at war with the likes of the grotesque one behind you! Now move, or I will have no choice but to arrest you.”

“Come any closer,” I say quietly. “And I’ll have no choice but to kill you.”

Horrick’s chin sinks into his chest.

“You threaten your countrymen to protect the crown’s enemy? What does she hold over you that would possibly–” He stops mid-sentence and sighs with an exaggerated grimace. “I see… So, you have fallen for the Verdanian.” His horse jolts back, and Horrick pulls the reins with a disgusted frown. “How pathetic, even for you.”

He called my mother the same thing when he removed her from the castle.

“Honestly, Braizen, we thought you had sauntered off to fuck whores or gamble, the same as any young noble with too much responsibility! But this? Gods know if your father ever discovers the true reason you were gone, he will send you to that crazy bin with Eveline! Guards, seize her! Restrain the traitor! Do not let him touch her, or it will be all our deaths!”

A low snarl escapes my curled lip as the two guards steadily approach. The first man’s gloved hand reaches to snatch me, but I dip to my haunches and easily dodge his grasp. The next clunks over and goes for his blade, but I grab a large branch and swing it up as I rise. Wood thuds against metal, and the guard topples back a few steps. I hear at least ten swords swish from their sheaths.

“Idalia,” I hiss. “I need you to come back to me now!”

There’s no answer, and when I glance back, she’s still on the ground, crying.

“I couldn’t kill him, Mother,” she whimpers.

I groan as the first guard stomps toward me again. I kick with all my strength and shove him back a few feet.

“Idalia!” I shout, jumping to my right to avoid the large man’s swing. “A little help!”

Another breathy grunt as I dart forward, charging the plated man’s legs with all my weight. Even if I can bring him down and retrieve his sword, what then? There are twenty others, and Sparrow’s mind is too far gone. Whatever happened while I slept has rendered her useless, a state she’s never exhibited before.

I grapple with the guard for a moment, his armor inflicting pain each time I move my hand. The second guard creeps back, and a few more stand ready for Horrick’s orders. There’s no hope. I can’t defeat them without her.

“Idalia!” I cry, knowing this is the last chance I have for her to join me.

Nothing.

Her sobs grow harder, and she cries out to her mother as if she’s somewhere close.