“Please forgive me,” I whispered. “I don’t know what else to do.”

I turned and moved into the night.

Eight

THE MOON WASN’T NEARLY BRIGHT enough to light the way, so I slowed my horse to a walk. The journey and the night were both incredibly long. I wished I’d been smart enough to think of bringing a dagger, or anything that might have lent me some security. In fact, I was starting to wish I’d remained an ignorant lady in the palace, or that I’d listened to Mother and stayed in Coroa in the first place . . . but no. Even if I couldn’t bring myself to finish what I’d started, I didn’t regret a single second of what I’d done.

It took me a while to notice there was a horse and rider in the distance who looked to be following me. I could tell they were moving faster than I was, and if I didn’t do something, they’d be upon me within a minute. I did not want to come across a thief or worse alone in the dark.

My instinct was to leave the trail, to hide. But if they had seen me, that was it. My second thought was to go into a full gallop and try to outrun them, which seemed unlikely with how poorly I knew the roads. Before I could decide, a voice rang out.

“Hollis! Hollis, wait!”

I pulled the reins and came to a stop. “Etan? Is that you?” I steadied my horse, my heart racing, and watched him approach.

“Going somewhere?” he asked casually when he caught up.

I shook my head. “How did you even know I was gone?”

He sighed, unable to look me in the eye. “I saw you go.”

Of course he did. His room was next to mine, and they both looked out upon the front of the manor. Why hadn’t I thought to make sure he was asleep before setting off?

“I’m not going back,” I said hotly. “I don’t know what’s waiting for me in Coroa, but I’m sure you’ll agree that it will be better for everyone if I just go.” I hated that I felt so very close to tears as I went on. “As you’ve pointed out many times, I’m not an Isolten, and I’m not really family. It will be better for everyone if I just . . . disappear.”

“No, it won’t,” he said. “You’re coming back with me. You’d never make it to Coroa on your own anyway.”

“I can figure it out.”

“Hollis, you can hardly figure out your wardrobe. Turn around!”

“You should be rejoicing!” I replied bitterly. “You’ve been pushing me out of the house since the second I arrived, after all. And anyway, if you saw me leave, then why in the world did you let me get this far before trying to stop me?”

“Because I wanted you to go. Obviously.” He was still looking away, shaking his head. “And then I realized I couldn’t possibly let that happen.”