The time for words was over. Turning to the gate, I swept aside the guards and their magic, then tore the steel blocking my way from its moorings, tossing it aside. I started to run, faster and faster down the slick road toward the world outside. Toward her. It was over, and I didn’t want it to be. It was over, and I was relieved by it.

Cécile had made a choice. For herself. For me. And it could not be undone.

The fresh breeze full of the smell of salt and life and freedom struck me in the face, the faint glow of dusk appearing ahead of me, and in that moment, I hated her.

I loved her.

The point of impact loomed, and I braced myself. For the pain. Please let her survive was my last thought, and then I threw myself at the barrier.

Chapter 33

Cécile

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Chris standing at the back stairs of the opera house. The safety of my friends was a small blessing in this night of failures.

“Sabine found you and warned you?”

He nodded. “While I was with Fred. Who is, by the way, an even worse liar than you. She didn’t call him out on what he’d done, because she was afraid he’d warn Lord Aiden that you’d escaped. I don’t think he would, though. I think he regrets what he did. Were you able to get your book back?”

“I searched every market, but I couldn’t find her,” I said, hating how well I felt, as though my countless sleepless nights had been washed away by blood. “So I tried to break them free another way. It didn’t work.” I swallowed a lump in my throat, not ready to explain exactly what I had done, how I’d felt her triumph when I failed, and how a fit of madness had taken me and I’d screamed Tristan’s name until I’d collapsed in the sand like a madwoman.

“Sabine told me what you two overheard,” Chris said. “She’s inside, although everything’s all chaos because your mother left for the Marquis’ country home, claiming she was ill.”

“She isn’t ill, she’s angry at me,” I muttered, pressing a hand to my forehead. I hadn’t just failed to free the trolls, I’d failed to protect her, too.

“What are you going to do?”

“Wait for the messenger to come find me,” I said. “Let him and Catherine help me catch Anushka, bring her face to face with the King, then set her free.” I waited for some passersby to move away, and then I continued, “And what will happen will happen. But at least we’ll live to fight another day.” My chest was tight. “I’m not giving up, Chris.”

“Then there’s still hope.” He squeezed my hand. “How’s Tristan?”

I closed my eyes and shoved away the sick euphoria I felt. “Not well.” And I was noticing it much more than I had before, which could only mean he was getting worse.