Page 124 of The Faceless Queen

“I do know Samara,” I said quickly. “But I am not her.”

“You’re not?” His face fell. “Truly?”

“I’m not.”

He shook his head, completely defeated, his heart feeling like it was breaking. And I could feel all of it, feel like my own heart was breaking, too.

“Is she … May I ask, is she all right? Is she safe?” he asked, tears in his eyes.

Mine burned in response, my throat dry. And I nodded. “She is. She’s as safe as she can.”

His jaw worked, his throat muscles clenching. “Good. Good.” His nostrils flared. “Will you—will you tell her when you see her—tell her that Brennan remains her loyal friend.”

I want you as my friend. And I want you as my lover.

I could still hear him saying those words in the moon garden. Hear the undertone of the word friend even now.

I swallowed. “I will.”

“And tell her that if she ever needs anything, anything at all,” he said. “Tell her to come find me. I don’t care what face she wears. Tell her she is welcome at the castle.”

“I will pass your message on.” I rose to my feet and took his hand.

He groaned, coming back to his feet, and reached for his sword, about to resheath it.

I shook my head. “Keep it out. Just in case. Now go!”

“What about you?” he asked.

“I’ll be fine, but this is where I leave you. Be well, and be safe,” I said.

His eyes widened. “Wait.”

But I ran into the dark. Not because I was running out of power, but because Olivay was supposed to be at the hunting lodge. I had to beat him there. I had to get back to the clearing before anyone realized I was missing.

The second I was behind enough trees, I shifted my calves again, giving myself runner’s legs.

What I needed were my witchmoth wings. But even with all I’d taken from Brennan, it wasn’t enough to fly, not if I wanted to become Olivay again. Transforming back to her from Alyra was going to take everything I had. So I ran, darting through the trees, racing across stones that lay in the river where I’d found Jaron. Then running up the hill, dodging branches and bushes, and overgrown trunks of trees in the ground. Robins began to chirp again, insects buzzed, and overhead moonstags flew. This time with riders on their backs, calling out Brennan’s name. And one who flew solo, his fur just a touch more golden than the others. Brennan’s stag. Aurick.

I let out a deep breath as I reached the camp. Thank the Gods for the riders. They’d find Brennan. He'd be back at the lodge within minutes, returning on the back of Aurick. He’d be safe. And this whole fucking night would be over.

With a few more steps, no one would know I’d even left. Olivay could sneak right back into the chaos and feign complete ignorance of everything that had just happened.

I grabbed hold of the nearest tree, making sure to keep my hood tight over my head. I still had Alyra’s red hair, and being this close to the torches that lined the clearing, it would easily be seen, easily rouse suspicion.

A few minutes passed as I assessed the movements of the nobles outside the lodge. Olivay’s parents were speaking with King Tirian, and everyone seemed occupied, engrossed in finding the prince, in killing the chimera. No one seemed worried about me. Or even aware I was gone.

One of the soldiers I’d seen rushing out when I ran into the woods had just returned, reporting all three chimera were dead. Everyone moved and crowded around him for the full report, eagerly asking for news of the men.

It was perfect. I could sneak back into the lodge and reemerge as Olivay. No one would be the wiser that I had ever left. Brennan would never know that it was me who’d come to save him.

I took a step forward. And another. A robin chirped from the trees above my head. A branch broke behind me, and then another snapped in half. Someone breathed down my neck. I stilled, about to turn, preparing to fight. But rough hands grabbed me, one wrapping around my mouth before I could scream, and the other covering my nose.

“Got you, witch.” Stephen. I recognized his voice from the river. Could feel his body pressed against mine.

I twisted, trying to escape, but I’d used up nearly all of my energy with the chimera, with getting back to the lodge. He only pulled me harder against him, his grip like steel.

I groaned, tightening my core and trying to kick him. But I missed. He was moving, taking me with him, dragging me back into the darkness beneath the trees. My heels dug through the dirt and debris as we plunged into darkness. I could smell urine—his. But I couldn’t see a fucking thing. I railed against my captor and bucked. But it was no use. He slammed me to the ground.