Page 78 of A Petal in the Crown

Erik opened himself up to the sun as he climbed on top of Cinnamon and prepared to leave Auropera, positioning himself snugly behind Janelle. He allowed the sunlight to stoke the fire inside him, filling him with righteous fury. It had been a gift from the gods themselves when Janelle had gasped at the mention of Alnwick. He’d known immediately what had caused such a visceral reaction from his wife, had felt her shock and apprehension as strongly as he felt his own heartbeat, and when she’d confirmed that Alnwick was where Jakob and Stefan had been stationed, he’d known immediately that he had to be the one to scout the outpost nearby.

It was the first opportunity that had presented itself to find and kill the men who had hurt Janelle since she’d told him of her past. The first time his dreams of breaking their bones one by one and plucking out their eyes had become a concrete possibility.

It felt like a morbid version of his birthday, but Erik didn’t show it. Itcaused Janelle pain to think about what had been done to her. And who knew if they remained there? Who knew if they even still lived? Erik hoped with everything he had they did, if only so he could confront them about the horrendous decisions they’d made during their worthless lives… and end them.

He hadn't told Gray of his plan to search for the men who hurt his wife, but he knew his best friend would understand. Erik wouldn’t allow it to distract him, would make sure to dispose of the men quickly and return to his primary objective of searching for Alaric, or any information that could help them find him. And who knows? Maybe the bastards would lead them straight to the false king. Maybe men like that were drawn to one another, joining forces to amplify their evil.

Janelle had been hesitant when he’d told her what he was planning, but he assured her he would keep her safe. That there wasn’t a chance in this world or the next that he would ever allow them to touch her again. Just the fact that he had to do so made his fury almost boil over. Even after all these years, the memory of what Jakob and his brother had done to her was so vivid, she was still deeply afraid of them on a base level that haunted her subconscious.

Erik pulled Cinnamon in line with the other horses just inside the portcullis. Four different groups, ready to split away on their different missions. It felt wrong separating from their friends. Unnatural.

Not to mention that the last time they’d done it, Lea had almost died of the Lonely Death. Even then, it had been Emma who sensed something was wrong, and Emma was staying behind, unable to warn them of the things they couldn’t see or feel. For them to all be apart…

Dread swirled in Erik's gut.

"Send word if you discover anything," Gray said. "If you find Alaric, do not engage. Do not forget that Lea is the one who has to kill him. We do not approach until we have our entire army. They’re ready. Once we’re all together again, we end this."

"Gods bless and protect you all," Vincent said, placing a hand over his heart.

"Until we meet again. Be safe," Tanad said, his lips pressing into a hard, grim line.

"And for the love of the gods," Janelle added, looking at Lea pointedly, "don’t do anything stupid."

Chapter 50

Lea

They’d been riding for days, barely stopping to use the bathroom and refill their canteens. Two more moonflower petals had fallen from Lea’s crown as they rode, and each time, Gray had gritted his teeth, kicked Obsidian's sides, and pushed him harder. The relentless riding left Lea not only exhausted, but without the opportunity to speak to her father about his part in her plan. She needed a moment alone with him—and soon.

Luna leapt over a fallen log, and as she jostled up and down in the saddle, Lea didn’t even have to pretend to feel nauseous. Water sloshed around in her empty stomach, and she swallowed, leaning to her right to clear Luna’s side in case she did actually vomit.

"Little Flower?" Gray said, catching her attention. His shadows reached out to her, caressing her cheek as he tilted his head, his eyebrows lowering in concern.

"I’m fine," Lea said. "Just an empty stomach." On cue, her stomach rumbled.

Frown lines bracketed Gray's mouth as he slowed Obsidian to a trot. "You look weak," he said. "And pale."

Lea pulled Luna’s reins, slowing her. "Do you think we could stop? Just long enough for you to hunt something fresh? Maybe you couldtake the others, and Dad and I can build a fire to cook it on?" Lea’s stomach growled again, but she pretended to change her mind, shaking her head. "No. I’m sorry. We should keep pushing forward."

"Stop," Gray told Obsidian, who halted immediately. "Of course we can eat. You need strength to fight. A quick stop won’t hurt us." The lines around his eyes deepened, and guilt slid into Lea’s empty stomach, coating the walls and making her even more nauseous. She knew how it made Gray feel when she was hungry. When her most basic needs weren’t taken care of. He’d always taken responsibility for taking care of her, and anything short of that felt like a failure.

Gray looked around at the landscape. "There’s a fresh stream not far from here. Can you wait a few minutes?"

Lea smiled gratefully, another, sharper stab of guilt almost making her look away. But she ignored it. She was only doing what she had to in order to save her kingdom.

Gray wasted no time once they reached the stream, helping her down from her horse and making sure she drank some water.

“Henry, make sure she rests. Cole? Patrick?” Gray inclined his head toward the woods, then stalked off, dagger in hand. Lea felt a quick bolt of panic. She didn’t have much time. Gray would work quickly to find something for her to eat, worried that she was wasting away. But Daniel was still around, and she couldn’t risk him overhearing what she was going to ask Henry.

"Daniel?" Lea asked.

Daniel jumped to his feet, rushing over to her, and Lea was once again reminded that she was no longer a girl from Bearswillow, but a queen.

"Would you move the horses over to the shade down there? Let them drink from the stream where they’re out of the sun?"

"Of course," Daniel said, practically tripping over his feet to do what she'd asked.

"Dad?"Lea tilted her head, signaling him to come over. He dropped the pack he’d been rummaging through and came to sit beside her, leaning down and kissing her forehead. It was a glimpse of the affection and attention she’d so desperately wanted after her mother’s death, and right now, it felt too late. But she couldn’t hold grudges. Not anymore. She had no more time or energy to waste on such things.

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