“You spent thirty-two years in the Stillness with a king you loved,” I said. “It’s time to pass on the knowledge he gave you. The knowledge you wanted to give to Mattias.”

Bastiaan seemed so unsure, and I didn’t blame him. Faith and hope were a risk of the heart, which was what made them so powerful when someone allowed them to defeat fear.

“It’s ridiculous that we’re having to convince you to survive.” Runt folded his arms in front of his chest and said no more.

Bastiaan closed his eyes and gave a small laugh. “You three . . . I don’t deserve you.”

That was enough of a yes for me. Runt whooped.

“This way!” a militair shouted from above. Boots on stone steps.

Runt thrust the key into Bastiaan’s cell door and worked it with his tongue between his teeth until the lock popped open. He had to bend mine a few new ways to get it open, but it didn’t take much longer.

Bastiaan hauled me to my feet. It was so good to be held by him, even in a situation as dire as this.

The four of us stood in a small circle.

“Let’s do this.” Runt shoved the key into his pocket and held his hands out.

Hesitant, shaking, Bastiaan took one. I gripped Bastiaan’s wrist with one hand and Anouk’s trembling fingers in the other.

“Five years,” Runt said. “Well, four and a half. Then we’ll come back. I’ll be of age. I’ll be king, and the laws of Winterune will stand. Not even the council can stop the rightful king from claiming the throne!”

They’d thought it all out. Mother and son. Queen and crown prince. Already they were a force to be reckoned with.

“What if we can’t come back?” Bastiaan whispered.

I pressed my forehead against his. “Have faith, Bastiaan. The answers are there. We’ll find them. Together.” I didn’t fear. After all I’d been through with the Well and with Bastiaan, I was free to be strong. To have confidence even when facing the unknown. I wished that confidence to flow into Bastiaan, to ease his worries and let him feel my love for him, my admiration of his courage to dare to survive.

“Are you sure?”

I lifted my lips to his. Felt him smile. He pulled me tight against him. Militairen yelled. Runt laughed.

And Bastiaan snapped his fingers.

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