Page 129 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses

“I could say the same of you, general. I saw you run from Heliconia that night. You’re no warrior, Callan. You’re a coward.”

“And yet you accepted my proposal so easily.”

I exhaled. “When did you know?”

“When the ward came down.”

I stared at him. “That was before you proposed.”

“I kept waiting for you to explain. To just be honest and tell me why you did it. But you never said a word. I gave you more than enough chances, and you lied every time.”

I shook my head. “TheAine?—”

“Enough!”

I flinched.

“I don’t want to hear any more lies,” he said.

I held his gaze, releasing any guilt I might have had for wiping his memory. “You can’t tell anyone,” I said firmly. “Especially your father. The fate of the realm depends on our alliance, Callan. You and me. That’s how we destroy Heliconia.”

“You should’ve thought about that before you lied. Maybe if you’d been honest, I would’ve been willing to help you.” His voice was low, dangerous. “But now, you leave me no choice but to use you the way you used me.”

My heart raced. “Callan?—”

He raised a hand, silencing me. “Marry me and give me your magic willingly, or I’ll let him drain you so thoroughly you won’t have anything left.”

“I’d burn this place to the ground before I let that happen.”

“And then what?” he challenged. “Where will you go? Word is already spreading of the dark wielder with Hel’s flames who took down that donation center. Once the people learn your magic is just like hers, they’ll come for you. Not a single kingdom in the realm will save you. And you’ll end up just like the cursed fae you left behind—alone and lost, forever.”

His threats settled inside me like ice in my veins. I’d saved them by burning that place, but Callan was right; they might not see it that way.

Callan smiled, a cruel, twisted thing. “Get some rest, Princess. The king will want you at your best when he takes what’s his.”

Chapter Forty

Aurelia

The moment the door slammed behind Callan, I went to the armoire and dug past the gowns Callan had bought for me until I found the bag I’d brought from home. Shoving it open, I inhaled the familiar scent of Aine leathers and felt something inside my chest unfurl. Sonoma might have been a formidable fighter, but she’d been wrong about one thing: I didn’t need Callan’s help to destroy Heliconia. The oracle had spoken true. I had always only been looking for myself. And as horrible as it’d been since coming here, I’d found her.

Shucking my dress off, I pulled on the warrior’s clothing that I’d mistakenly thought had no place in my new life. I worked quickly, braiding my hair and strapping Dorcha and Latha, my swords, to my back. Finally, I pocketed the gold and jewels I’d taken from Sunspire. It felt all too familiar now, this hasty departure. I’d have to abandon my other plans. But I couldn’t be here any longer. I’d have to find a way to help Autumn’s citizens from the outside.

Crossing the room, I felt for the doorway to the passage I’d come through earlier. It was more difficult to access from thisside, the seam hidden and the latch stubborn. My shaking fingers finally found it, though, and the panel slid open with a soft click.

Darkness yawned before me, cool air rushing out like a whisper of warning. The torch I’d left earlier was gone, which reminded me I wasn’t the only one using this passage. But I had to risk it.

Staying would be a death sentence.

If not for me then for Callan. And if I slipped and used my magic on him again, I might not be in a position to escape the consequences.

Pulling my hood up, I stepped into the narrow passage. The stone walls pressed in close, and the only light came from the faint glow of a torch burning from a sconce farther up the path.

I forced myself to move, every step echoing in the silence as I descended deeper and deeper into the bowels of Grey Oak.

Focus.

But my mind wouldn’t quiet. Callan’s threats, Duron’s betrayal, the prophecy—they all swirled like a storm in my head. My skin prickled with fear, my magic coiling inside me, restless and wild. What if they came after me? What if Callan had already told Duron I’d escaped? What if guards were waiting for me at the other end?

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