I’d never understood this part of the story. Why would Sawyn reappear after so many years? What was it about our birth that made her demand the throne from our father? Why Olmdere? There had to be more reasons for her actions. Briar didn’t seem to mind, but I always felt like we were missing part of this story. Vellia would simply say that dark magic was a hungry beast, always wanting more. It knew when to stalk its prey, and when to strike.
“What Sawyn didn’t know was that Queen Rose had another surprise in store,” Vellia carried on, casting a quick look at me. “The guards rushed to tell her what had happened, but the Queen already knew. She had felt the mating bond snap, and, as Sawyn stormed toward the birthing chamber, Queen Rose made one last wish. A beautiful faery appeared to grant it.” Vellia brushed her silver hair over her shoulder, puffing out her chest, and I heard Briar’s soft laugh behind me. “The Queen wished for the faery to protect her child until her wedding day. With one foot in the afterlife, her belly clenched again. The pains grew more frenzied until the arrival of a second child, another baby girl.”
“You and me,” Briar whispered. She hooked her arm over my side, resting her chin on my shoulder. I closed my eyes, feeling the comfort of her warmth radiating onto my back. We’d heard the tale so many times, it stopped feeling real—just another bedtime story. Yet being here, on this night, with my sister . . . it felt just a little bit more tangible.
“The faery was astonished.” Vellia winked at me. “The wish had already been made, but the faery couldn’t leave the second babe to suffer the wrath of Sawyn, and so she disappeared with them both. Even the sky mourned, pouring for months on end, the Goddess saddened to lose that most magical of bonds. Sawyn was furious, razing half of Olmdere in her rage. She scoured the continent to find the Crimson Princess, but never found her, returning to the abandoned castle on the lake. To this day, she hides in wait for rumors of the Crimson Princess whispered on the wind, sending her scouts to every corner of Olmdere, hunting for her.”
Over the years, Sawyn had become a ghost story. The children in the village would dare each other to step out into the forest and whisper “I am the Crimson Princess,” thinking one of the sorceress’s Rooks might hear. But the rage with which she searched for Briar had simmered into nothingness, and I wondered if she even cared at all anymore. Perhaps reclaiming our castle would be as easy as opening the door.
I watched Vellia’s gentle rocking, a mix of emotions filling me as I asked, “Are you sure you can’t come with us?”
Briar laughed even as her arm tightened around me. “Hasn’t she done enough? She’s kept us safe for nearly twenty years.”
“The magic of your mother’s wish is waning,” Vellia said. “I can feel the last dregs being spent.”
“Then I could make another wish,” I offered.
She shook her head, straightening the knot of her kerchief under her chin. “A faery wish is a desperate sort of magic, Calla.” Vellia had said the same thing a dozen times before. “Powerful, yes, but it’s the ultimate sacrifice and will cost you everything. Your mother’s essence fuels my magic. She paid for your safety with her soul.”
My shoulders slumped. There was no way to wish for Vellia to stay with us. When my mother’s wish finished, Vellia would disappear, waiting in the ether until another dying wish was made.
Vellia stood, placing her smooth hand on my cheek.
“I will miss you two,” Vellia whispered. “But my magic will always be with you. I will be close even when I feel very far.”
I swallowed, nodding my head.
Vellia drew the curtains, moonlight fading to shadow. “Get some sleep. You wake at first light.”
Briar groaned, already unhappy about the idea of waking up. I took a deep breath as Vellia flickered out of sight, off to another part of the cabin.
“Do you remember that traveler who came to town with those spun sugar treats?” Briar’s voice was a low hush.
“Yes.” I craned my neck back at her. “Why?”
“I bet they have them in Highwick.”
I chuckled and settled back into my pillow. “I bet you’ll be able to request any treat your heart desires, Your Highness.”
“You will, too,” Briar said. “We will finally be able to go out and explore and meet people and be a part of a pack . . .” She sighed. “It’s going to be great, Calla.”
“With Nero’s aid, we’ll be able to save Olmdere,” I murmured, feeling sleep tugging me under.
“That too.” Briar chuffed. “You and me, we’ll take over the continent . . . so long as we can eat some spun sugar treats first.”
“Agreed.” I nuzzled my face deeper into the feather pillow, feeling my sister’s warmth behind me radiating through the duvet. As my heavy eyes shut, I smiled. She was trying to cheer me up, and it was working. Sorrow mixed with exhilaration, and I fell asleep dreaming of a new promised adventure.
Five
The glowing dawn bled into the darkness as the stars blinked out of the sky. My head pounded. I was never drinking wine again. We only drank on special occasions, and last night had been overly extravagant. I scowled at my sister. Briar somehow looked fresh-faced and buoyant while I looked as haggard as I felt.
I pulled my traveling cloak tighter around my neck. The guards raced about, hitching the horses to the carriages. Their faces were sleep-addled, but they moved at great speed, seemingly less affected by the many drinks and little sleep.
Vellia clasped her hands as I stared down at the dusty front steps. This would be the last time I would ever stand here. I tried to remember every detail, every scent and sound, pressing each sense into my memory so I could hold on to them. This day had felt so far in the distance, and then suddenly it was upon us—there was no in-between.
Vellia squeezed my elbow as if knowing all the aching parts of me warred between excitement and sadness. I didn’t know how to say goodbye to her. Tears welled as I watched the guards load our bags. Grae and Briar chatted at the front carriage, my sister breezy as ever, while I tried to keep tears from falling.
“Oh, you.” Vellia chuckled, even though her voice was tight as well. She gripped my cheeks in her weathered hands and promised, “I will see you again one day, my dear. Take heart in that.”
I nodded, blinking back tears. How far away would “one day” be?
“Don’t live out your years with your tail between your legs.” Vellia leaned closer, pinning me with a look. “Whatever it is you want from this life, Calla, I hope you have the stubbornness to take it.”
“What if I don’t know what I want?” Staring at her, I pressed my lips together so tightly I was certain they had turned white.
“Then I pray you have the courage to look deeper.” Her pale gray eyes roved my face. “That will be a harder challenge than swinging any sword.”
Vellia had always been loving, but hard. She’d trained me to be a warrior with the same fervor she’d trained Briar to be a princess. My appreciation for that now bubbled out. Briar’s tittering laughter filled the air as I wrapped my arms around Vellia, giving her one last hug.
“I’ll try,” I whispered. “Be well, Vellia.”
“Be brave, my dear.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, my shoulders straightening as I marched down the stairs. It was time to prove my worth to my pack.