“I can’t lose you,” he said, cutting me off. I stared at him, not so much surprised by his words but the sincerity of them—the desperation of them. His eyes were hard, his jaw tight as he spoke. “I won’t.”

He took a step away.

“Stay,” he said again. “Please.”

Then he turned and charged through the gates.

I did not watch him go because I had no intention of listening to his plea, but I could not join the fight without my weapons. As I turned, I looked upon those who had assembled here, high on the hill, with no intention of helping those at our feet.

“Prepare the great hall to receive the wounded,” I said. “Those of you who can fight will take up arms and follow me. Someone get me a horse.”

I cut through the crowd once more and entered the castle, hurrying upstairs. Bursting into my room, I raced to my nightstand where I kept my knives. Usually, I would sheath them in braces around my wrists, but I hoped to use them more like darts in an effort to keep as much distance between myself and the rabid hellhounds as possible.

I found my sword in the chest at the end of my bed and belted it around my waist. Once I was finished, I removed my mother’s crown and my cloak, which would only get in the way.

Taking one of my knives, I quickly cut away at my long skirt until it fell just above my boots, then sheathed my knives—one at my waist and one between my breasts.

I rushed downstairs and found Tanaka waiting, barring the way, his expression severe.

“You cannot go into battle, my queen,” said Tanaka.

I tilted my head, eyes narrowed and full of anger. When would my wishes stop being met with Adrian’s will?

“I did not become queen to watch my people die from the safety of a tower.”

“King Adrian—”

“Is not here, so I will lead my people in battle. You may stay here in the comfort of my castle.”

I moved past the old man.

“You defy his orders,” Tanaka said, continuing to speak even as I retreated. “And yet it is not you who will pay the price.”

I ignored him.

I did not care that Adrian had left orders.

The consequences of disobeying his wishes would never weigh on my conscience as heavily as the deaths of our people.

As I left the castle, I found Violeta standing with a large steed. The horse, Reverie, was white and black-spotted, and her mane almost looked silvery, even beneath this strange, red-tinged light. As I mounted her, I met Violeta’s gaze.

“Find Ana. If she is not already aware, she must be prepared to help the wounded. Do whatever she says.”