Page 50 of Cages and Crowns
“I told you I wouldn’t get myself killed.” He laughs and she hits his back as she pulls away.
“I’m glad.” She smiles at him, affection brewing deep in her eyes. I glance down at Enzo’s hand still in the air waiting to help me out, but I ignore it. Throwing a leg over the side of the boat, I climb out on my own.
The white sand is cool, soft, as I take a few slow steps. I can see Scarlett practically vibrating in the peripherals of my vision, but I can’t look away from Kassius. The man who used to sit with me when I was a child, who would explore with my mother and I as we ran through the trees.
The man I never thought I’d see again.
“I was told you were murdered for the death of my mother. I cried every night knowing that my mother and the closest thing I have ever had to a real father, was dead.” My voice is weak, strained, as I stare into his yellow eyes. Tearsdrip down my cheeks. “But here you are.”
“I came back a few years ago. I came to see you, but you were asleep in the infirmary. Scarlett was there.” My eyes flash to hers quickly before going back to him. “I wanted to make sure you were alright.”
“I wasn’t.” I snap.
“I know.” He says softly.
“You knew what he was doing to me, my father. You knew what Tobias was doing. All of you did. None of you did anything. None of you.” My voice cracks and my hand flies to my mouth.
“Nora,” he steps forward, his hand gripping onto the little girl who is staring at me with wide, yellow eyes.
“Don’t. I don’t want anything from you. I don’t want anything from any of you. I wanted to be left alone, to be done. I was ready for it to be over. You never protected me, you never came for me, and when Ifinallyaccepted my fate, you took that away too.” I take a step to my left, my hand reaching for Scarlett’s. I hear her exhale in relief as she takes it and pulls me into her side. “I don’t care what you want from me, you can’t have it. There is only one thing I want in this world, and it’s to rip Tobias’s heart from his chest. I won’t let you take that away from me too.” I start walking, pulling Scarlett with me, as we trek up the beach to the path between the hills. I don’t know where we are going, but I have to get away from all of them.
She doesn’t speak, but I can tell she wants to. She keeps my hand in hers as we silently walk. My tears dry on my cheeks, the air warm and suffocatingly sweet. She guides us through the hills and within minutes they open up to a huge stone and wood palace.
It’s not grand like Noterra, but it’s still large. A half wall encircles the entire building. I can see guards with bright gold cloaks and silver armor lining the top of it. Horses are tied to stalls outside the palace. Small windows line the outside of the building, reflecting the bright sunlight. There are trees everywhere, but not as dense as home. Purple flowers hang from branches like vines, theirscent almost too much. I hear someone sneeze behind me, and I flinch.
“Damnit.” Nithe mutters and I hear Emery laugh.
Anger is all I can feel right now. Anger and betrayal. It’s not their fault, but I can’t help but blame them,hatethem, for not doing anything. For not stepping in.
But why would they?
They don’t owe me anything.
“It’s been over seven months since you were supposed to be here.” Scar’s voice is soft, hesitant.
“Seven months?” I whisper. “What day is it?” I ask, although I don’t know if I really want to know. She doesn’t respond for a second, so I turn to face her. Her skin is tan, tanner than I have ever seen it. Her hair is long and loose, silky and shiny like always. Her brown eyes are ringed in gold, sparkling in the sun. She’s wearing a gray dress that hangs off her in billowy folds. She looks healthy, happy even. I smile slightly at her appearance.
“It’s a few days past your birthday, Elaenor. It’s the end of July.” She says quietly. My smile falls as a choked sob escapes my lips and I clamp my hand over my mouth, my gaze holding hers in disbelief. The tears come and they don’t stop. I start to shake, guttural sobs breaking up the silence. My legs give out and I land on my knees. Dirt and grass press into my skin, aggravating the cuts marring my knees.
It has been one year since I left home.
Onewholeyear and yet nothing has gotten better.
Everything has gotten worse.
She drops down to the ground with me, her arms wrapping around my shoulders, pulling me into her chest. She squeezes me tight, and then I feel her shaking. She’s crying too.
Another set of thin arms wrap around me as I cry harder than I ever have. As I cry for the person I never had the chance to become. The version of myself I will never know. I open my eyes to a set of light brown lined with silver and thicklashes.
Laenie.
We cry, together. All three of us. Cry for the year that has changed everything. Cry for the deaths that have occurred. Cry for the children we once were. I don’t know how long we stay here, crumpled on the dirt hugging each other. I pull back first, my arms going around Laenie as I hold her close.
When I let go, I look around and see that everyone has left us. Everyone but one person.
Ginger hair sparkles in the sun, resembling flames. Pale skin and broad shoulders. A forest green hilt attached to a silver sword hanging off his belt. Another sob works its way out of my throat. A sob coated in disbelief.
In confusion.
