“Today we leave behind our hideout and head for the Trials—to defeat and destroy them once and for all!” This brought the loudest cheer of all. But the roar of approval subsided into an expectant silence. They were waiting for more. An explanation.

I leaned forward with the unspoken question from the masses. How?

“Not only do I have intricate knowledge of the Trials, but the Well has given us a great gift.” Sven made no mention of the fact that Hedy and Kees knew the Trials too. All glory for himself. “A supporter beyond what we ever could have hoped—beyond even the power of the king. A wish!”

A communal gasp, mine included. Oh no. He wouldn’t be so brazen—

“The Wishtress has joined our cause. She has brought her wishes for our service, for our hope, for our victory!”

There were no cheers now. Just shock brought on by the lone word Wishtress.

Sven swept his arms out, directing the attention my way. “My beloved Myrthe!”

Chapter 28
Myrthe

How. Dare. He.

The eyes of the crowd swung as one. Fixated on me. I was exposed. Laid bare. Sven had revealed my secret. He had painted the target so fixedly on me that I now had no choice but to cling to his side for protection among these people.

Mouths gaped. Eyes stared. I could almost see their thoughts spinning with the possibilities of having the Wishtress among them. Hedy, however, looked downright murderous.

I hated Sven in that moment. I gave no wave, no nod, no acknowledgment. I would not meet anyone’s gaze except his. His eyes shone with pride and never wavered. He wasn’t proud of me—he was proud of finding me. Claiming me.

Lying to his followers that I’d committed a wish—all my wishes—to them and their cause.

Sven might trust his woodsfolk, but I certainly didn’t. By nightfall I’d be facing threats, bribes, begging, and maybe even kidnapping from those who wanted a wish.

I had seen what this knowledge did to a person—to Oma, to Sven, even to Bastiaan in his deepest moment of need with Runt.

Sven had stolen what little freedom I still had.

I didn’t hear another word of his speech. I doubted anyone else did either. He must have commanded something about traveling because the people moved as a flowing river to follow him, parting around me like I was a boulder. Out of respect for Sven. For now.

But they stared as they passed.

My eyes fixed on the forest floor, and I didn’t move until someone near my ear said, “For you, Wishtress.”

Kees was at my side, leading a horse with a blanket over its back and wearing a roughly made bridle.

“Don’t call me that.” Just because he now knew my Talent did not mean I’d lost my name.

“Need help mounting?”

“I’d rather walk.”