Page 104 of The Enemy's Daughter

“I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long,” I whisper.

She leans her head against my shoulder. “You should be. I’ve had to deal with your mother all by myself. I also had to cleanMr. Lyman’s infected groin. Twice.” She laughs as I cringe. “No, it’s fine. I missed you too. And it’s not like you chose to disappear.”

I suck in a breath. “I didn’t choose to disappear... but what if I did choose not to come back?”

“What?” Her head lifts.

My heartbeat grows faster as I pull her by the hand to sit on my bed. “Freia, there’s so much I need to share with you.” And then the truth spills from me in rushed and quiet sentences as I tell her about Tristan and how he healed me. About Kingsland and their old-world way of life. Their history. Our history. The truth. Lastly, I give the basics of Father’s confession. It’s not nearly enough time to explain anything properly, and from the confused and outraged looks on Freia’s face, I fear I’m doing more harm than good. “I know I’m explaining this badly,” I whisper. Then I stop speaking altogether, because I need to hear her say something.

“I don’t understand. So, you think we’re on the wrong side. That my brothers...”

“Were doing what they were told to do. But they wouldn’t have been in danger in the first place if not for my father.”

Doubt swims in her eyes.

“I swear, all of this is true.”

We stare at each other. Then she jumps to her feet, pacing back and forth.

I bite my lip, knowing it’s going to take so much more than this to counter the years of morning academy and testimonies—

A funny look crosses her face. “So you stayed because of a Kingsland boy?” She lets out an incredulous laugh, and I can’t tell if she’s angry or relieved. “And to think Liam and I searched for you...”

“I’m sorry,” I rush to say. The last thing I wanted was to cause them pain. “And yes, I love him. But it’s about so much more than that.”

“You mean he’s an excellent kisser.”

I choke on a laugh. “The best.”

“I’m going to need more detail.” She waves a hand. “Later. So... you don’t have any feelings for Liam?”

I pause, not wanting to sound cruel. “What Tristan and I have... there’s no comparison.”

“Okay.” Freia blinks. “Then we’ll sabotage your wedding. Say you’re too sick to go. I mean, you did just have your neck sliced open.”

“We can’t. Father would have Tristan punished. But I have another idea.” I catch my lip between my teeth. “We could set Tristan free. I have a letter, and I... need you to deliver it to Kingsland.”

Freia covers her mouth. “You want them to rescue him?”

I nod. “Once he’s free, I’m free. Then Father can’t make me marry Liam, or force me to be quiet about the truth.”

“You want me to commit treason.” Her words come out as a disbelieving whisper.

Bleeding skies, she’s right. I can’t ask this of her.

She swallows hard. “IfI were to commit treason to rescue my best friend from a forced marriage, and hopefully save my brothers from dying in a needless war”—she pauses dramatically—“wouldn’t it be better, faster to just let Tristan out ourselves? We don’t have time to ride for hours to get to the Kingsland. Not to mention I wouldn’t even know where to go.”

“Tristan’s surrounded by guards.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Her mischievous grin returns. “But today, my brothers are guarding somemysteriousprisoners at your brother’s house.” She wags her eyebrows meaningfully. “We could probably get in.”

My thoughts race. Could this work? A hopeful smile stretches across my face even though I shouldn’t be smiling. This is dangerous. Stupid. I’m going to die if this goes wrong. Freia too.

“We’ll just tell everyone the Kingsland came for him,” Freia says. “It’s what they expect. And Freddy’s been swimming in guilt since you went missing. He blames himself for putting it in your head to come to the front line. He’d probably do anything you ask.”

I stare at the wall, trying to think everything through. “It’s risky, but—skies—it just might work.” I reach for Freia’s hand, then squeeze it. “If we’re successful, I’m really going to miss you.”

“You’ll go back there?”

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