Kerrigan,

I’ve started this letter a thousand times. I have never been one of many words and always felt that I could express myself better on paper. Thus, I write to you today to express my deepest regrets about what I must do. I will speak plainly: I am leaving the Society.

Netta and I are still bound, and I will not let her suffer a terrible fate by leaving her behind. By the time you read this, we will have already left the aerie with Kinkadia far behind us. Do not look for us. We do not wish to be found. Not when the potential for harm is so great with our continued existence in the mountain.

My biggest regret is that you will read this letter and be hurt by the contents. I wish with all my heart that I could stay behind. That we could live a faerie tale, as we had that week at Waisley. Though it was not reality, and I can no longer pretend that being near you does not endanger your life.

Loving you is the best and the worst thing that ever happened to me. You challenged me to be a better version of the male that I am. Together, we were so much more than we ever could be apart. Which is why I must leave.

The curse hangs heavy over my heart. It is only a matter of time before you fall prey to it. So, I go in search of a way to break this abomination once and for all. Know that I do this for you, for us. If I survive, then I hope I am not too late to fight for you.

Yours always,

Prince Fordham Ollivier

Kerrigan stepped carefully back into the living space. Benton and Bayton stared at her curiously but dared not ask. More conditioning.

“How long ago was this delivered?” she asked.

“Before we moved your quarters, miss,” Bayton whispered.

“Hours ago,” she gasped. She choked on the thought.

“What is it?” Benton finally asked, helping Kerrigan to a seat.

“Fordham. He’s… he’s gone.”

64

The Execution

“What are you doing here?”

Kerrigan swallowed and stepped deeper into the prison beneath the mountain. Lorian’s face looked as determinedly irritated as ever. They’d stripped him of his Society robes. He was in a filthy beige shirt and black pants that clung to him from sweat and grime. Kerrigan had never seen him in anything but his robes. He was fastidious about his hygiene as well. It was shocking to see him like this.

“I wanted to see you.”

“You’ve come to gloat. Your plan worked. I am the one behind bars now.” He came slowly to his feet and stepped up to the ironwork. “Is that it?”

“No,” she said carefully. “I didn’t do this. That was all you.”

He huffed and rolled his eyes. “If that helps you sleep at night.”