Page 37 of Of Shadows and Blood

I nod.

“We’re more alike than you think. We both want to be free of these chains. Court, the castle, everything. We were friends.”

Friends.

“You do a good job of appearing like you hate it here. So, what does that mean? You want me to run away with you?” I mock, moving away. This is insanity.

Sawyer grabs my arm and pulls me closer to him roughly. “Yes, but it’s still a risk,” he murmurs back. His mind seems elsewhere. Sawyer trails down my arm and grabs my hand, lightly grasping it as his eyes meet mine.

All over again, my legs weaken as I stare at him. The man who cared for me, cherished me, kissed me.

Some of that had to be real.

“And if I wanted to leave tonight?”

In a hushed tone I can barely pick up he replies, “I would aid you and we would flee. Together. Trust me or not Liv, but I am your best bet to get out of here.”

“You’re the prince,” I retort.

“I have little to no power here. Believe me. We can board the next ship from a warm water port and be across the Harren Sea in a month’s time. Anywhere you want, we will venture.”

I consider his words. “Let’s leave right now, then.” Sawyer drops his head, shaking it. I grab his hand tighter, tugging on it.

“Why? Why not now?” I urge, frustration growing deep in my throat. Sawyer looks over his shoulder to Avonde, who has now directed her attention to us.

“I shall see you at dinner,” Sawyer announces. “Lady Elivienne,” he adds on. He drops my hand and turns to Avonde again, briefly nodding as he walks back into the castle.

Sawyer departs and I prop the sword on its rack, noting Avonde’s attention. I can feel her stare on the back of my neck, but I shake it off and head back to the cottage.

Thoughts run across my mind quickly and I consider every version of this scenario. Who to trust, who not to trust. Cedric is committed to my health and has a protectiveness to him, which is commendable. Two years is a long time apart if what they say is true, and I can sense a growing distance from him, which may not be a bad thing. He wants to heal me. But then what?

His brother, the man I thought I knew, similarly elicits withdrawals. He appears invested in my wellbeing, though I know this is hardly trustworthy. I was close with him where we were before, but I have no desire to explore that with anyone further. Why water dead flowers? My health is the priority and the only way I can focus on it is through safety. Sawyer can afford me safety from here.

When I think of the world and everything I don’t want to miss, I intuitively know that Sawyer can give me that. Experience, travel, culture, growth. As of right now, I don’t trust that our future holds the relationship I thought it once would, even if my feelings still linger. But he can get me away from here at least.

The cottage’s view is something I commit to memory one last time. They left me alone before, let’s hope they repeat that notion tonight.

Chapter 11

Where does one run? And why for? Even the Gods have ran for something.

Demis lies before me, its decadent glow from its lanterns serving as a beacon of something magical, something of a different world.

The door spelled open under my touch and no guards appeared again. They truly believe me complacent, like a sitting duck, waiting for their call or order.

Going back to the castle is a risk; in fact, it is ironic that I am heading back to the grey prison ahead rather than fleeing immediately. With this supposed freedom, I could have been halfway to nowhere by now.

Yet…

There is a pull that I cannot break. Perhaps if closure with Sawyer and that part of my life was achieved, I could leave everything behind and live the life I always imagined in the village. The place that does not exist. A curse meant to incapacitate me.

I release those thoughts and slowly walk to Demis. The cottage is shielded from the front of it entirely so I trust I won’t be noticed. Cedric appears to be a proud, strong king yet his fortress is otherwise unguarded. The sack in my hand with a bottle of blood, bread, elys leaves and clothing weighs heavy in my hand. Though a chill has covered Lux, I find my hands clammy.

The great room is already filled, teeming with court guests and various other people sporting different insignias, most likely from other lands. From behind the same veiled statue, I observe the bowing crowd as Cedric enters. The image nearly mirrors last night and I swallow thickly at the flash of violent images.

The court looks to him, bowing with reverence. Their dark and beady eyes trained like animals on a hunt. A dark shadow slides out from Cedric’s feet before recoiling and I stifle a gasp. Seconds pass, his way of exerting power. Finally, he takes a goblet from a servant, raising it as he says, “Carry on.”

Chatter resumes and dignitaries and nobles begin to mingle. His dark head disappears into the crowd. Is Sawyer already inside? I slide out and move to a bench, trying to view him as the doors open and close for those just arriving. No one is leaving quite yet.