Page 63 of A Kingdom of Magic and Rain

“We don’t have time for this!” the Sorceress hissed.

“Why would you help me?! You’ve been working against Emeraldia!”

“It’s complicated. I’m not doing this for you, but for him.” She jerked her head toward Adrian. “We must go. Now.”

A gut feeling was telling me to go with her, but something was holding me back.

“What about the blood oath?” I asked Adrian. “If you let me escape, you will die.”

His face lit up at my words because they were a confirmation that I still cared about what happened to him. One side of his mouth turned up. “I’m not letting you escape. I’m making you escape.”

“A loophole? Even if it works… If the oath doesn’t kill you, the king will!” I argued.

His features hardened with determination as he looked at Lady May. “Get her out of here!”

“Adrian—ow!” I yelped when Lady May’s fingers dug into my arm.

My gaze locked with Adrian’s once more as I waited for the Sorceress to transport me out of his quarters.

This might be the last time I see him. My heart lurched in my chest. Even after everything that had transpired, I felt crestfallen.

“You are my North Star,” Adrian whispered with a wistful smile.

I squeezed my eyes shut to fend off tears as I waited for the pull of Lady May’s magic on my body. The pins and needles sensation never came.

“We are too late,” the Sorceress said, releasing my arm. “The king knows I’m here.”

I opened my eyes at the same time Sorin strode into the room.

“So nice of you to finally join us, Augusta,” he greeted her. “And what perfect timing, too.” He looked at me. “Your father is here.”

“My father?!”

The king only smirked before he turned and walked out. “Escort them to the throne room,” he commanded Killian on his way out.

The guard looked conflicted for a brief second before he schooled his features.

Adrian and I exchanged a glance. A tormented expression had returned to his face because I hadn’t managed to escape. Resignation rolled off him as he stepped into the hallway. Lady May and I followed, and under Killian’s watchful eye, we began our trek to the throne room. My mind raced as my gaze fastened on Sorin walking ahead of us. Why was my father here? Had he come to negotiate? Could the Fae king even be negotiated with? My father wouldn’t have come unless he had a plan. Hope sparked in my chest at the thought.

When we entered the throne room, the King of Emeraldia was standing by the foot of the dais. He was dressed in different clothes from the ones he had worn earlier, and his right arm was in a sling. He must have taken only as much time as was necessary to get cleaned up and get the wound treated before he had rushed to my rescue. How had he known where to find me?

The crown of gold leaves gleamed when he turned his head to look at me. Relief washed over his face, but the expression was swiftly replaced by one of defeat. I realized with a sinking heart that he may not have a plan either.

“Emelin, are you all right?” my father asked as our little group approached the dais.

I nodded, quickly appraising his taut features to see if I could glean anything from them. His complexion was pallid due to blood loss and the gravity of our situation. I searched for a spark in his eyes that would let me know that he had a plan to get us out of here. When all I found was despair, my chest constricted, making it difficult to breathe.

“Princess,” Sorin said, drawing my attention to him. “You should be elated to learn that you won’t have to choose between your lover and your kingdom.” My heart sank lower at his words. “Your father has agreed to bring down the wards in exchange for your life.”

The outer edges of my vision dimmed as panic flooded me. “It’s not true, is it?” I looked at my father. “Father, you can’t!”

“I can and I will,” he said firmly.

I couldn’t believe that he was willing to put Emeraldia on the line in exchange for my life. I was going to be sick.

“There is no need to delay it,” Sorin said, excitement lacing every word. “Lady May will perform the spell that will render the wards obsolete.”

The Sorceress’s face was unreadable when everyone looked at her. “A blood exchange is required for the spell,” she declared flatly, her voice not betraying any emotion. “Much like a blood oath.”