Page 60 of A Petal in the Crown

She would have to lie to Gray. Would have to hide her plans from him.

And it would destroy him.

The sound of horses approaching met Lea’s ears, and she forced the sorrowful feeling from the air, donning a smile. She could hope all she wanted that she’d find another way, would even try her best to do it, butthiswas a plan that could actually work—that could allow for Alaric to be defeatedandfor her and Gray to not be separated after death. It was something concrete she could hold on to as she searched for another answer.

But only if Gray didn’t suspect it. If Evangeline’s visions were correct, he’d never allow her to sacrifice herself again. Not for him or anyone else.

Never mind the fact that he’d done so before. He’d understood the reasons, the necessity of selfless acts in war. And truthfully, her plan wasn't completely selfless. Lea would rather die winning the war to protect their people and have eternity beyond the veil with Gray, thanto waste time coming up with another plan, fail, and have to endure the gods’ and goddesses’ punishment of being separated forever.

It wasn't even a choice. Lea knew in her bones that this was the path forward, no matter what Gray, or Evangeline, or anyone else said.

The sound of hooves picked up in rhythm a moment before Gray appeared, Obsidian trotting straight to the stream to drink. Gray narrowed his eyes at Lea as he approached, always so perceptive, and for the first time, she was thankful for their lack of mate bond. She’d never be able to hide her plans from him were he capable of feeling the way her heart was racing and her palms were sweating.

Knowing she needed to deflect his attention, Lea frowned, looking at her mother and shaking her head slightly, as if it was simply painful to be around her. Gray’s shadows reached toward her, wrapping up her arm and gently caressing her cheek.

“I don't know where to go from here,” Evangeline said. “I've taken us as far as I can.”

“What did you see in your vision?” Gray asked, wasting no time.

“A cliff. With a rocky outcropping shaped like an owl.”

“Aynor,” Erik said, and Gray nodded, shifting Obsidian slightly west.

“It's only about an hour from here. Maybe less.”

“Then let's go,” Lea urged, adrenaline pumping in her blood. One hour. They were so close. But the longer they waited, the more time Eudora had to sense them coming. The more time they had to flee like the cowards they were.

Gray took the lead as they galloped forward as one. Now that the decision of where they were going had been made, it didn’t matter whether they were together or not. All that mattered was that they got to Aynor, and fast.

Lea’s back ached as she bounced in the saddle, but she refused to focus on the pain. Instead, she waited for a chill. For death’s presence.Evangeline had said it was subtle, and so she tuned out everything else. The sound of the horses' hooves and the rustle of crunching leaves beneath them. The hot air blowing across her face and the way her muscles burned.

She didn’t allow herself to notice the way the trees began to thin, or the enormous red sun still staring at them in the sky. She simply allowed Luna to carry her forward and waited for a chill to wash over her skin.

Twenty minutes. Thirty. She focused, but nothing came.

Did that mean they were going to make it before Alaric could kill the villagers? Or was she missing something? Maybe they weren’t close enough. Or maybe, this was it. They were going to find him.

Suddenly, Lea knew with perfect clarity that Aynor was just beyond the treeline, but it wasn't the sound of life within the small village, or death's cold kiss that warned her that they had arrived, but smoke.

Black, billowing smoke that blocked out portions of the red sky in a way that made it appear as if demons themselves were descending from the heavens.

Gray cursed under his breath, pulling back on Obsidian’s reins as they reached the top of the hill. It wasn't until then that she felt death. Unmistakable and terrifying.

A shiver ran down her spine as she looked at the burning buildings, the charred bodies in the street already taken by death lying among the ruins of what must have once been a pleasant, thriving town.

“Dammit!” Gray shouted, his shadows racing toward the village to smother the flames, but it was too late. The villagers were gone, as were Alaric and Eudora, but this time, Alaric hadn't bothered to set a trap. He'd simply stolen what magic he could, and then killed every last one of them.

Chapter 37

Lea

“What can you see?” Gray jumped off Obsidian, following Evangeline to where she now stood in front of the horses, facing toward Aynor. Her hands were out, her forehead scrunched as if closing her eyes. She took a step forward, then another, nearing the edge of a rock that jutted out from the top of the hill. Her head fell backward, a gasp of pain leaving her throat as she clenched her teeth.

She dropped to her knees, but Gray caught her before she could tumble off the rock and down the hill, holding her steady. It only took a moment. The vision passed just as quickly as it had started, Evangeline sucking in a sharp inhale and holding her head.

Lea started toward her, but Evangeline held up a hand. “I'm fine.” She brushed off Gray, who was still holding her upright, and settled down to sit sideways. “Alaric looks stronger. Much stronger. The magic he's taking… It seems to be healing him.”

Lea's heart pounded erratically, terror pulsing through her blood with every beat. They needed Alaric weakened, not stronger. The more magic she had to take…No. Don’t go there right now,her subconscious ordered. Lea forced away the thought. “Whatexactlydid you see?” she asked Evangeline, needing more information.

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