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“No. I don’t care about him.” I shake my head. “Char, we need to go.” I grab her hand, my eyes flitting rapidly between her and the lord. “Now!”
She yanks her hand free of mine with more force than expected, and gray tendrils fall loose from her messy updo. “No, my dear, I cannot.”
“Yes you can!” I grab her sleeve, tugging her toward the back door. Lady Nilda surely woke from the lord’s screams. It’s only a matter of moments before we’re found. We’ll be taken to the village center and hanged for murdering one of the queen’s lords.
There will be no trial.
We’re Tradelings.
We’ve committed treason.
My lungs burn, collapsing and suffocating me.
Once again, Char pulls free of me, standing firm. Tears and snot stream down my face; my body is light, airy, yet weighted at the same time. However, Char’s hands are still. Her expression is serene. Her voice is calm.
“There are things you have yet to understand. Reasons why I cannot go with you, my Alessia.”
“Please, Char. I’m not leaving without you.” My eyes widen at the thought of leaving her here in this place. It pains me to know both options she faces right now are death sentences. “Whatever it is, we can figure it out together. We need to go before the lady finds him.”
“Listen to me.” Her voice takes on a stern tone as she steps forward and grips my cheeks in her hands. “You need to go. Cross the Gleam.” Her eyes glimmer with unshed tears. “You need to take the risk and go.”
“But the fae—”
“Are dangerous, yes. But at least in Avylon you stand a chance at survival. Here is inevitable death. You must go, and do not ever return.”
I wince, knowing she’s right even though my heart disagrees.
“But you’re my only family, Char.” My voice cracks. “I can’t leave you. You’ll—”
“I am not your family. You will find a family one day, but it will not be me. Run to the north side of the forest where the mushrooms grow. Do not stop until you cross into Avylon. Do not linger in the forest, on either side, especially if it calls to you.”
My heart pounds erratically in my chest, adrenaline and fear merging into one uncomfortable emotion. Despite her always swaying me away from the Gleam—the fae—I know she’s only directing me there now because I have no other choice at survival.
I want to ask how she knows where the Gleam is, ask why she thinks she can’t join me, but footfalls in the corridor alert me to the lady nearing.
“What is all the ruckus in—” Lady Nilda’s face turns ashen, her mouth dropping open as she spots her husband’s bleeding body on the floor.
The lord is alive, but his breaths are ragged and shallow.
“Edvin!” Lady Nilda screams.
She charges toward Char, and a glint of maroon-stained silver clutched in her hand catches my eye. I open my mouth to warn Char, to scream, anything, but she cocks her head and offers me a soft smile.
“No!” I cry.
“I am sorry, my Alessia. Forgive me for ly—” Char’s words are replaced by a squelching gurgle as Lady Nilda runs the blade across her throat. I squeeze my eyes shut, whipping around to keep from losing it.
Vomit rises in my throat, threatening to spill. I swallow it down, willing my feet to move.
I refuse to look back at Char. Refuse to be haunted further by something I can never unsee.
Selfishly, I don’t want to remember her like that.
My hands tremble uncontrollably as I reach for the doorknob. I had daydreamed about running so many times before. But I never imagined I’d be leaving without Char.
I throw the heavy wooden door open and a snowy gust of wind snaps me to reality. My legs remember how to work again, propelling me forward.
Dashing barefoot across the snow-dusted field, I keep my focus on the dark tree-line ahead. My breath comes out in white puffs, and the cold air stings my skin. As I bolt past the stables, Felix’s voice reaches my ears. He’s calling my name, but I don’t spare him a glance. I can’t.
