I do so but peek at her again. I can tell she’s looking back at me from behind her veil.

“To the Lady and the Guard,” King Ivar says, a large smile stretching over his jaw.

The audience repeats it back, and then the maidens pull the veil from the princess’ face.

I suddenly need to sit down. Her dress is pure white, save for three encrusted, blue jewels that line the collar. Ringlets drape down past her shoulders. Her eyelids are painted a glittery silver, making her eyes appear even larger. Her skin glows as she looks straight at me.

I tug at my pants and shift a bit. Something is happening that I can’t explain. Lachlan nudges my ribs and smirks. The crowd cheers. Theodore claps wildly, and then the Princess stands beside me. Her nervous breaths grow louder as the applause heightens. Without thinking, I grab her hand and squeeze.

She squeezes back, and our eyes meet. It’s as if the room has gone silent. The Little Sparrow with her fawn eyes. How I wish I could catch her and keep her with me always.

Chapter Eleven

Idalia

Present Day

“So, there’s a village then?” Braizen leans towards Nuri, a hint of arrogance coloring his words.

“Of course, there is. Has your schooling taught you nothing of the Florian Wood?” she asks.

“Only that it’s filled with magic and terrors,” he says.

Nuri rolls her eyes and throws her hands into the air. “Of course, that’s all they’d teach you.”

Everyone is quiet for a time. The carriage wheels grate against the stones on the road, and the gold and rubies inside Lannex’s chest jostle as we sway.

Across from me, Lin gawks, as he has for some time now. Like I’m a grotesque animal he’s never seen before. I narrow my stare.

“Can I help you?”

He blinks as if my question abruptly returns him to the present. He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, I’m just so confused.” He massages his temples and closes his eyes. “You saved both Torrent and Lorna?”

I cross my arms and lean my head against the cushion.

“Yes.”

“But… why? Why would you help them instead of escaping? It doesn’t make any sense!” He looks to Braizen, who wears a charming smile.

“Maybe if you’d done your job as the lookout, she wouldn’t have had to step in and save the day,” he teases.

“I’ve already told you a hundred times! I saw something horrifying when I was on watch, and when I got back to my post, there was nothing on the path except trees! I assumed you’d all died. I thought she must’ve done something to ruin the plan.”

“Well, she didn’t,” Braizen says matter-of-factly and tosses me a glance.

I quickly look away.

“That’s what I’m trying to understand! Why didn’t she? The Princess hates Baellileans!”

I groan and try to find a more comfortable position in the jostling carriage. I kick Lin’s shin.