Tears filled my eyes, though I fought against them. “You cannot think he will just let me leave with you.”
Cole shrugged. “That’s up to you to figure out. Tell him any tale you like to convince him to let you go and not to follow you. Feel free to be as astonished as you like when my escape is discovered. I’m going to the capital immediately—I’ve had enough of this creepy place with its floating objects. But I have no desire to travel the whole way with an enraged Beast on my tail, so I’m leaving you here for now. Check my story in the mirror, if you like. Then you spin that monster a convincing story and follow me within a day—alone—or you won’t see your sister, or her betrothed, alive again.” He shivered. “I don’t know how you’ve been able to stand this filthy place. I think when I’m king, I will order it razed to the ground.”
I stared at him in horror. “But what about the wolves, and…the bears?”
He shrugged. “You can’t imagine I would really have risked my life riding here through a dangerous wasteland, do you? The wasteland and the animals are gone, they’ve been slowly disappearing for weeks. The rest of the kingdoms will figure it out soon enough and start sending parties in. But we’ll have taken the crown by then, and none of them will be able to dispute the legality of it.”
He let me go and stepped backwards, shaking his head. “I nearly had you, too. I could see it in your face before that creature burst in on us in the dungeons.” He shrugged. “Oh well, maybe this way is better. Acting is exhausting.”
I trembled uncontrollably as he faded away into the dark. All I could think of was Lily. I had to rescue Lily.
Part III
The Capital
Chapter 25
I must have stood there, frozen in place, for several minutes. And then my legs were moving of their own accord, and I was running toward the Beast’s chamber. I burst through the door and ripped back the curtain, my mind fully focused on Lily.
“Show me my sister, please,” I said, running my words together in my haste. The fog appeared almost instantly, and I held my breath, knowing there was no use in hoping Cole had been lying.
Sure enough, when the mirror cleared, I saw Lily, lying with her head in Jon’s lap. Both of them had ties around their hands and feet, and Jon was glaring at a guard I could just see in the corner of the room. I placed my hand against the mirror, tears filling my eyes. How had he got hold of them?
He must have stolen the letter Lily was part way through writing me. Which would explain why she hadn’t signed it, and why it didn’t mention anything specific about Cole. He had probably been afraid that if he forced her to write a fake letter, she would find a way to include a coded message to me.
I stepped back and pulled the curtain across the mirror, not wanting to see any more of the scene. At least they were together and looked healthy enough for the moment. I could only imagine how angry they must be, however.
I left the room and slowly made my way back toward the ballroom. Would the Beast still be there? It was a place to start, at least. The raging part of me wanted to tell him the truth and send him after Cole. But I knew I couldn’t do that. It was all too likely he had spoken the truth, and his men had instructions to kill their hostages if he didn’t return.
Another thought hit me. I couldn’t send Dominic after Cole, even if I wanted to. He couldn’t leave the castle grounds. Because, while some aspects of the reverse curse on the kingdom itself were lifting, Dominic’s curse remained firmly in place.
And yet I felt an utter certainty that if he knew what was happening, he would insist on accompanying me, despite the risk to himself. Which meant I had to make sure he didn’t even suspect the truth. I decided on a convincing story and rehearsed it in my mind.
When I reentered the ballroom, I found Dominic still standing on the balcony where I had left him. He turned, clearly surprised at my reappearance. But his surprise quickly turned to concern, and he strode forward to meet me.
What is it? What has happened? What have you seen?
I felt grateful my story didn’t require me to hide my grief and fear. “I saw Lily.” An unplanned sob broke through.
Dominic took both my hands, holding them in a firm grasp. Tell me.
“She…she’s sick. Really sick.” I lowered my voice. “She might die. And she’s calling for me.” I focused my gaze on him, filling my expression with desperate pleading. “You said earlier this evening that I was free now, that you wouldn’t keep me trapped any longer. Did you mean it? I have to go to her.”
Dominic took a deep breath and dropped my hands, turning away. Did he mean to take back his words? To tell me I couldn’t go?
“Cole has shown that the passage is safe now,” I said. “Everything is changing—like the snow melting and the flowers dying. Please! I have to go.”
He turned back to me, his face a blank mask. Of course, you must go. My carriage will take you to ensure your safety. He took another deep breath, as if to steady himself. I did mean what I said. I should never have kept you prisoner in the first place. How could a marriage between us ever have worked in such circumstances? I release you from our betrothal. Go, be with your sister. And only return if you wish to do so.
“I…I…don’t know what to say,” I whispered. He had just given me what I had been seeking since my arrival, but I couldn’t feel any relief or pleasure.
He laughed, no humor in the sound. I must truly be a monster if my attempts to make some small retribution for my misdeeds meets with such astonishment.
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t mean…”
Just go. You need to pack and get some sleep before your journey. I will have the carriage ready for you at dawn.
My body responded to his order, leaving the room while my mind still struggled to think of the right thing to say. When I reached my chamber I cried deep, heaving sobs. I wasn’t sure if I cried for myself, or for Lily, or for Dominic, or for Palinar. I suppose I cried for us all, and for the farewell that I should have had with Dominic.
I was waiting with my bags in the entrance hall before dawn broke. I had hardly slept, and Tara had been crying over me since I awoke. Even respectful Lottie had broken down and begged me to return, but I did not want to give them false hope. I had no idea what my future held.
When Tara asked me tearfully if I was leaving because I was in love with Cole, I shook my head in frustration. Obviously, Lottie hadn’t passed on our conversation.
“Of course not,” I snapped. “I’m leaving for my sister.” I hoped they would all remember my words and understand my meaning if I should end up married to Cole.