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“Everything I told you about yourself would’ve faded along with everything else when Emiana claimed you.” He finally stopped rushing about and came to me, grasping my shoulders. “And most importantly, I had to be careful with you. I’ve never known a soul to successfully break this curse with their mind, body, and soul still intact. Me continually telling you you’re Calli while your mind is shouting that you’re Emiana could’ve caused more harm than good.”
As angry as I wanted to be with him... what he said made sense. Curses didn’t play fair. Their sole purpose was to causemisery and pain, and they didn’t want to be lifted, or they wouldn’t silence our tongues when we tried.
“But you knew I was Calli,” I whispered, cupping his cheek. “Not any of a twenty million women, but Callidora. How?”
“It was rather easy to figure out when you looted my coffers and gave the spoils to that Riordan boy to give to your family.”
My brows popped, face heating. “You knew that I—?”
“Was stealing from me? Yes. Pretty much immediately.” He grinned lopsidedly. “A natural thief, you are not.”
Of all things, why did this embarrass me most of all?
“I ordered him to tell me who my jewels were going to, and then I had my spies track down Olene, Meliora, Jaclan, Gisela, and Savia.” He stroked my cheek, catching a stray tear. “I wasn’t surprised they were a family. I was even less surprised that they were missing their oldest daughter, Callidora, who walked into the Crystal Palace one day, and never came back.”
“Oh, Alisdair.” I fell against his chest, hugging him tight. “What am I going to do? Riordan said their execution is tomorrow. It takes a fortnight to get to Lyrica. I’ll never make it!”
“I will get you there on time, Calli, I promise.”
“Me?” I dropped my head back, gazing up at him. “Aren’t you coming with me?”
“I’m sorry.” He truly sounded it. “I can’t leave Lumenfell right now. Meallan is still out there—waiting.”
“Right, of course,” I sighed. “How could I forget about that bastard? I’ve been so happy the last few days, I almost convinced myself all was right in our world.”
“And I almost convinced myself Meya would bless us, but some fates she won’t change,” he said softly. “This wedding will end with you fleeing into the night, and me left with a hole in my chest.”
Tears flooded my lids, spilling fast and free down my cheek. “My love, I’m sorry. I never wanted—”
The door burst open. Foalan rushed in with Aeris on his heels. She held a pair of boots and a pretty, but comfortable shift dress.
“Get her dressed,” Foalan told Aeris. “I’ll get her ready.”
I was pulled away from Alisdair as they descended on me—stripping off my beautiful wedding gown, tugging the dress overhead, pulling on my boots, then strapping the myriad of weapons to every free spot on my person. I didn’t know what I’d be walking into in Lyrica, but they seemed to believe I’d have to fight my way out.
The second they were done, Aeris and Foalan pulled me right back out the door.
“There’s something you need to know,” Alisdair called after me. “The night I found you in the tower, I thought I was speaking to Emiana. When I saw her about to endanger the woman I love by revealing that portrait, I snapped.
“I said horrible things to you, but every word was for her.” His smile—so beautiful. So sad. “I never could’ve loved that spoiled brat. It’s you, Calli. It was always meant to be you.”
“I love you too,” I gasped, straining to keep pace. “I—”
A blast of cold air smacked me, turning my head around.
Bradach waited in the flower garden, standing next to my litter. He wasn’t alone. Seven other raven men and women stood by his side.
I realized immediately what they intended.
This is all happening so fast,I thought as Aeris lifted me onto the litter.But of course, it has to. I have to save Mama and Meli!
I twisted around, reaching for Alisdair. “What do I do? How do I save them? No one’s going to listen to me. No one ever listened to a Gutter girl from the Galley.”
“More the fool them.” He kissed my fingertips. “But you’re not a girl from the Galley, my love. You’re the queen of Wind and Wild.”
The bearers took their place, Bradach leading in front, and lifted the handles. They took off, jolting me flat on my back.
I twisted around as we took to the skies, shouting down at my Alisdair. “I love you! I’ll come back. I promise you!”
