Page 131 of Heir of Illusion

“It’s time for you to go now. It’s dangerous to linger.” Worry creeps into her eyes as she glances at the darkness behind me. “Find the sword and break the chains that bind you. Go now. And don’t come back, lest you find yourself trapped down here too.”

I meet her gaze, finding a hint of shame hiding there.

“Go,” she says again.

Picking up her light, she prepares to extinguish it but pauses, taking one last look at me.

“You truly are very beautiful.” Dampness coats her eyes as they rake over my face, scanning each small feature. “So like your father.”

The flame flickers out, and her cell is cast in darkness once more. I try to think of a way to set her free. It feels important, as if that’s why I was led here. But it’s useless. The bars are enchanted, just like my collar. The only way to free her is to find the sword.

It’s not only about my own freedom anymore.

With one last look, I turn and walk back through the cave, promising myself that I will find thealmanovaand free us both.

Chapter

Thirty-Five

Leaves crunch beneath my feet as I make my way through the thick forest. The rust-colored silk of my gown catches on every twig and thorn, shredding the hemline to ribbons. It’s not a practical outfit to wear for a stroll through the woods, but I wanted to look my best today.

For Leona.

I carry a bouquet of lilacs with me. Her favorite flowers. The same kind that Della painted for her. I thought about going to MASQ to spend the anniversary with her, but I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome. Besides, she would probably prefer to suffer her grief alone. I loved Leona greatly, but it wasn’t the same as how Della felt about her.

Coming out here seemed like a good way to honor the late queen. This forest is one of the few places that is evenly split between the living and the dead. The temperature is always cool here. Most of us assume that has something to do with the spirits who are pulled through these woods on their way to the veil.

But life has its place here too. A fox races across the forest floor, leaping over a tree root as he disappears into a bush. And in a nest above my head, curious eyes peer down at me over their tiny beaks as a group of baby birds wait for their mother to return with breakfast. Death may make its home in these woods, but life has not abandoned this place.

My mouth opens on a wide yawn. For the past five days, I’ve barely slept. I’ve been out at all hours, searching for the blade all over Solmare. I caught glimpses of Remy here and there. By the state of his appearance, I’d guess he’s even more exhausted than I am. Between holding the perimeter and sweeping the city, the soldiers are spread razor-thin. If we don’t find Darby and the blade soon, I fear the city will descend into chaos.

Baylor has given me my space all week, which has been a welcomed reprieve. I haven’t seen Thorne in that time either.

It’s for the best, I tell myself.This is what I wanted.

But is it?

I lock those thoughts away within my mental prison; unfortunately, those walls have developed several cracks of late.

But today isn’t the time for any of those worries.

I come upon a small clearing in the trees, finally reaching my destination. The stone archway sits about six feet off the forest floor with a wide staircase leading up to it. However, the other side, is just a steep drop-off. Anyone who passes through this veil has no need to worry about getting hurt on the way down. Their soul will have departed their body before it even hits the ground.

The veil is a place of mystery. Vines reach from the earth and wrap around it—another example of life mingling with death. Several fractures run along the stones, betraying the age of the structure. Five thousand years ago, when the Fates first created the Gods, in order to end the Novian war, they erected these veils throughout each of the eight isles. Now every time a soul leaves its body, it’s pulled through this archway and welcomed into the afterlife.

Shame fills me as I stare at the spot where Leona died exactly one year ago. Moving toward the base of the stairs, I sink to my knees and place my flowers on one of the steps. Tears slide freely down my cheeks and I make no move to wipe them away.

“You didn’t deserve any of this,” I whisper, praying my words are able to pass through the veil and find her soul on the other side. “I should have listened to you from the beginning, Leona. But I’m going to make him pay for what he did to you. I promise you that. Baylor will suffer for?—”

My words break off as a sharp hit strikes my back, knocking the air out of me. My body tips forward and my hands shoot out to catch myself before I hit the hard staircase. I try to turn around to search for whatever struck me, but the movement causes a horrible burning sensation in my abdomen.

Looking down, I find the pointed tip of a blade protruding from my stomach. My mind tries to process what I’m seeing, but it doesn’t make sense. The pain worsens as my skin begins to burn. Biting my lip against the agony, I twist my head over my shoulder and find the hilt of a dagger lodged in my lower back.

What’s wrong with me?I wonder as fire spreads through my veins.I’ve been stabbed before, and it’s never felt like this.

A moment later, a hard body slams into me. My head bounces against the side of the stone steps, causing the world to spin. I try to roll over, but someone grabs a fistful of my hair and pulls my head back. I scream as the awkward angle sends a shooting pain down my spine. A second later, they smash my head into the stone once more.

Pain radiates through every inch of my body. I try to move, but it’s as if my limbs are being weighed down by something stronger than gravity. They no longer respond to my commands. A dark shape stands over me, and I squint, trying to make out their blurry face.

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