Page 59 of The Court of Truth

I blush immediately, acutely aware of what it is. It’s new. The only thing that I envisioned in my mind. Lacing my fingers with Kryll’s, I tug him along with me, and Janie inches closer to the monument too until the four of us are standing together.

“It’s a memorial. To remember the travesty of those who were hurt,” I explain, running my hand over the smooth stone. “You can etch their names into it or…” Or what, I don’t really know. Watching the commander stare at the statue, my panic grows. Maybe it was a mistake. Maybe it was?—

“It’s the perfect symbol to recognize those we love, and from the queen herself, it’s priceless. Thank you. We will begin carving in the names imminently,” he states, cutting off my wandering thoughts, and I heave a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry any harm was ever brought here to begin with, and I hope it never happens again.”

“Under your rule, I’m sure it won’t,” he states, his words firm as he pats Kryll on the back in silent thanks.

“Glacial Lake can’t say the same,” I sigh, pressing my finger into my temple, willing the migraine to subside, but it seems the more stress I carry, the stronger it gets.

“Everything is set for us to leave, Princess. I think we can all agree that your work here is done. I’ll organize the carriages and we can head toward Glacial Lake so we can see for ourselves what aid is needed,” Kryll states, tucking a loose tendril of hair behind my ear, and I nod. Maybe I can sleep on the way. Whether I do or don’t doesn’t matter. The fact is: one issue down, ten thousand more to go, it seems.

33

ADRIANNA

The rumbling of the carriage, a melodic musical piece in the background, has me drifting off to sleep within minutes of leaving Summer Oak. With my head in Kryll’s lap and his finger ghosting over my cheek, I succumb to the exhaustion that feels like it’s been clinging to my bones for days.

I dream of nothing.

No hauntings, no joy, nothing.

It’s a blessing and a curse because when I’m woken up in the back of a still carriage by Kryll’s hand now on my shoulder, ruffling me just enough, I’m not prepared to go from one disastrous town to another. But here we are.

My limbs are heavy, my body exhausted, leaving my movements sluggish as I try to push past the fatigue that refuses to let go.

“Are you with me, Princess?” Kryll asks, his eyes piercing mine as I blink up at him, nodding even though there’s a hint of delirium still tracing through my body.

“Is it bad?” I ask, pressing my palms into the bench so I can sit beside him, but I practically slump back into the seat.

He sighs, glancing from me to the covered window and back again. “It’s not as bad as Summer Oak, but I guess that’s because they had magic to protect the buildings more here.”

I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip before taking a deep breath. I need to see it for myself.

Janie’s already gone. Where, I don’t know, but it’s time I brushed off the lethargy and put myself to work again.

Pushing up onto my feet, Kryll instantly grabs my hand, guiding me toward the carriage door. I step out, ready to face it all, but startle at the fact that it’s dark out.

“What time is it?” I ask as Kryll shuts the carriage door behind us.

“A little after eight,” he offers, a tight smile on his lips.

“Did it take us longer than expected to get here?” I ask, acutely aware that I never once asked how long it would take to travel between the two towns, but that’s besides the point.

“No, but I may have lingered in the carriage for an extra hour so you could get as much sleep as possible,” he admits, a hint of guilt swirling in his eyes, but I quickly shake my head, banishing the worry from his thoughts.

“Thank you,” I breathe, taking a second to lean into him, basking in his warmth and stealing his strength just as I do every time I come close to one of my men. “Let’s figure out what they’re up to, shall we?”

With my hand engulfed in his, we step away from the carriage to find a few shelters already set up, with soldier’s working on building the rest. It’s slightly impressive how quickly we can set up a space. There’s a constant buzz in the air. It’s not always a positive one, but it’s there nonetheless.

“They’ve managed to use their magic to fix anything broken and those who suffered injuries have been healed,” Kryll explains, walking me along the perimeter. There’s a sadness that lingers like poison, injected into every villager, and it makes my chest ache.

“Dagger!”

I jump at the sound of my nickname before the sound of pounding feet rings closer and closer, and I turn just in time for Brody’s impact as he sweeps me up off my feet, untangling my hand from Kryll’s.

The tiredness that still lingers along my skin combined with the jerky movements leaves me on the edge of nausea, but it’s worth it to be this close to him again. Eventually, he puts me down again, eyes locking with Kryll’s over my head. “Have you told her yet?”

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