Page 55 of Fates Fulfilled
He paced away and opened the door a crack, requesting for Em to come to his chamber. When he returned, he said, “I always listen to you, Lex.”
“Since when?” She let out a harsh sigh. She was able to decipher the guards’ murmurs and knew they heard her clearly too. “What are you going to do?” she whispered as softly as she could.
“Get you out.”
“By myself?Garrin,” she said.
He rubbed his brow, strain showing in his every move. “Do you trust me?”
She wanted to say “hell no,” but that would be a lie, and she couldn’t get the words past her lips. “Yes.”
“Please do as I say.” His expression was so earnest that Lex nodded. She couldn’t contradict him when he was this stressed. She wanted to go to him—hug him—but his stance was closed off, as though he were preparing for something terrible.
A moment later, Em knocked on the door with an armful of clothing. But thankfully, these looked more like the pants and long-sleeved top Lex had worn through the Land of Ice.
“Oh dear,” Em said as she helped Lex change in the dressing room. “I’ve forgotten your coat.” Her mouth twisted adorably. “Wait but a moment and I’ll return with it.”
“Thank you,” Lex said, and finished pulling on the—leather? rubber?—boots Em had given her. These things were the most comfortable shoes she’d ever worn. She needed to steal herself a pair before she returned home.
Lex walked into the main room and noted that Garrin had changed into a similar outfit.
“Better?” he asked.
“Much.”
He nodded, though his brow was furrowed as though he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. He picked up a dagger, but as he attached it to his belt, he stilled. “That is odd.”
Lex glanced down instinctively and smoothed out her top, which couldn’t have fit her better if it had been custom-made. “If you’re trying to make me comfortable, you’re failing. What’s wrong with my outfit?”
Garrin moved toward the door and opened it before any knock had sounded. And if Lex thought about it, she’d heard it too—the footfalls of several people approaching.
She wasn’t used to the things her senses picked up, but she had better adapt quickly, because the Fae who stood on the other side of the door were terrifying-looking, with glowering faces, some of them covered from head to toe in robes.
What in the what? The men were in formation, as though preparing for battle. And that couldn’t be right. Garrin’s father could have had them attacked earlier, but he hadn’t, so why now?
“Where is Zirel?” Garrin asked an extra-tall Fae with light brown hair that stood straight up on top.
“The king requests that you return to his chambers.”
Garrin’s back stiffened and he moved to the side, blocking Lex’s view of the soldiers—and their view of her. “I will attend my father in just a moment. You may leave.”
“We will escort you to the king, my prince,” the guard said.
“You misunderstand,” Garrin said pointedly, as though trying to impart wisdom. “I have one errand, and then I will go to him.”
Guards outside the door entered the room and surrounded Garrin, the air filling with something…the Fae energy Garrin and the others spoke of?
“What are you doing?” Garrin said.
The tall guard grabbed Garrin’s arm. “King’s orders.”
Lex’s heart raced. Panic she’d not felt in forever bubbled up, horrifying and familiar. “Garrin?”
He yanked his arm free, but when he raised his hand, no blue fire sparked and no ice formed.
His face crumpled in pain and multiple guards quickly surrounded him. One of the men wearing a dark auburn robe touched Garrin’s head.
He collapsed, his eyes rolling back.
