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“I surveyed the trajectory and can say with confidence that it does.”

They ducked inside. The passage was lit by torches held up by black sconces. The orange flames mixed with the deep red of the stone, deepening the shadows and making the entire thing appear more ominous.

The narrow tunnel forced them to walk staggered. Thicket couldn’t see much behind Elian’s frame, but his steps didn’t falter as he followed his badger through the winding passage.

“Once we actually get inside,” Thicket asked. “How do we know where to find Alouette?”

“She may be a prisoner, but she is still royalty,” Marcellus said. “They most likely have her in a heavily guarded suite.”

“So that means we will actually be able to go inside the palace? Not just one of the dungeons?” Bern asked excitedly.

“Unfortunately,” Marcellus said.

Bern puffed out her cheek, glowering at him. “Killjoy,” she muttered. Thicket stifled a laugh, which earned her a glare of her own.

Elian slowed, making Thicket dig in her heels to avoid ramming into him. She peered around his shoulder, stomach sinking. The tunnel ended abruptly. No exit or alternate path. Just a solid brick wall.

Marcellus threw Elian a sidelong glance. She could practically hear Marcellus' voice in her mind. This better not be a dead end, Delmore.

Elian ignored the look, running his fingers along the bricks. Like before, it caved in and the wall parted. Bright light streaked into the passage. Thicket shielded her eyes.

“By the chalices,” Bern breathed.

A pond coiled across the brick path, wrapping around pergolas and palm trees. Lily pads clustered along the edges, sprouting flowers of pale pink and white. In the distance, the palace’s domed roof stretched into the clear, cloudless sky.

It was the perfect oasis—and their path to saving Alouette.

Despite the life radiating from every inch of the garden, it appeared abandoned. They used the opportunity to navigate across the brick tile up a split staircase. A waterfall poured into the pond from the center, splashing Thicket’s face. It was cool and refreshing against the harsh beat of the sun. At the top of the steps, a hedge maze led them to a terrace. Flower pots decorated every inch of the space, nestled amongst seating areas piled with plush, velvety cushions. At the opposite end, wooden arches boxed in the terrace, intricately carved with whorling shapes. And through those arches, were hallways leading directly into the palace.

They raced across the tiled floor, practically dragging Bern after them as they tucked behind a wall consumed by flowers. Marcellus peered around, scanning the halls and balcony perched above for any signs of guards.

A shadow fell across the garden, followed by an ear piercing shriek. It was shrill, the sound an eerie blend of birdsong and roar.

Thicket’s breath hitched as the creature shot overhead, as large as one of the pergolas. She had seen it once before in Lavender’s memory, but seeing it in person sent a whole different batch of shivers down her spine.

A phoenix.

In the sunlight, its fiery plumage shimmered with a sprinkle of gold. It was easily the most beautiful yet terrifying creature Thicket had ever seen.

“Princess!” Marcellus was there suddenly, pinning her against the wall. Something whizzed through the air. Thicket’s eyes went wide as Marcellus sagged against her, hissing in pain.

Marcellus cursed, sinking onto his knees. Thicket fell with him, heart beating to a panicked rhythm. Blood soaked the back of his shirt, coating her hands. They shook, her chest heaving with short, rapid breaths as she spotted the arrow protruding from his back.

More arrows tore towards them.

“Vynt!” Elian shouted and a protective wall of air came up between them.

This wasn’t happening. Not again. Not now.

But no amount of wishing would change the fact that they were once again under attack. Only this time, it wasn’t a figment of her dreams.

Chapter Thirty

Marcellus grunted in pain as he attempted to rise, but Thicket pulled him back down.

“Stay still,” she said, fingers hovering above his back. “I-I’ll heal you.”

“Don’t,” Lotta said, dropping onto her knees next to them. “If you heal him now, the skin around the arrow will seal, making it harder to get out.”