Page 33 of Brighter Than Gold

“I’d love to know,” he said excitedly. “Whyisthe palace looking for you, Reyah?”

I trembled. “They aren’t.”

“THEN WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU CRYING!”

Callan stepped quickly between Lazio and I as the man barreled into the room. “Don’t…” he warned with eyes blazing.

Lazio seethed, inhaling sharply through his teeth. “I don’t like being lied to,” he said, his voice ice cold. “But you know what Idolike? I like picking up a dirty penny just to wash it off and find out it’s actually a gold coin.” A maniacal smile swiped over his lips.

“Oh, my dears. You’ve made me so happy.”

* * *

Callan

Reyah lay curled in my lap on one of the ruddy cots as the sun dipped down past the horizon. My arm draped over her back caressing her gently as waves of renewed fear washed over her. I hated seeing her like this, so afraid. It made my heart hurt and my rage boil.

The bedroom door was open so that Lazio and his men could keep a watchful eye over us while we hid out in the sparce cabin, hungry and cold.

I watched, on alert when the men began to stir; a lookout came in through the front door and signaled something to Lazio, who nodded. Several minutes later, a different man walked in, ice clinging to his beard and snow gathered on his boots. I strained to hear the hushed words that passed between the men. I heard the words ‘guards,’ ‘tortured,’ and ‘fight’. And the last word made my heart drop out of my chest. ‘Princess,’ the man had said.

My mouth tasted of metal, the hair on my arms prickled and a fresh surge of adrenaline woke my tired body. I watched Lazio turn his head, and he smiled that monstrous smile when we locked eyes.

For the first time ever, I knew that a mission was going to cost me my life. There was no one else to stand between Reyah, who carried the future of the Realm, and the madman who may unknowingly destroy it all. I was surprised by how accepting I felt at the notion, this was undoubtedly the most critical moment of my life and somehow, it seemed right. Every other battle I’d fought had been brutal and horrendous, but I’d fought side by side with my brothers. Now, I was completely alone.

Lazio stood from his chair and walked into the bedroom. He seemed giddy by the news he’d received, like a child with a present they couldn’t wait to open.

Reyah looked up from where she sat, eyes swollen and glazed over from weeping.

“Interesting new development, my friends!” Lazio said, tapping the tips of his fingers against his chin. “We’ll be heading back first thing in the morning, and I’ve just heard the mostwonderfulnews.” He shot me a wink before returning to the fire.

My face didn’t give anything away. I was grateful Lazio did not expose Reyah’s identity immediately, but I didn’t know what that meant for her. I wondered whether Lazio would demand a hefty ransom for the safe return of the Princess, the man was a wanted criminal and a transaction like that would be risky for him.

I wouldn’t sleep that night. Reyah dipped in and out of consciousness for a few hours, quickly scanning the room for me any time I left her side. A bottle of rum was produced from someone’s satchel, and with all six men exhausted, with empty stomachs, the alcohol had gone straight to their heads. They snored quietly on the floor of the main room in front of the fireplace.

“Reyah…wake up,” I whispered, nudging her gently. She blinked sleepy, heavy eyes. “Follow me, be as quiet as you can.”

She rose with suspicion, and followed me over to the tiny window at the back of the room.

“I’m getting you out of here,” I said as I pulled her wool coat over her shoulders.

Reyah looked at the window, then back at me. “Callan, I don’t think I can fit through that, and you definitely can’t.”

I looked down at her, and my expression said enough.

“No! No, you can’t leave me!” Reyah begged.

“There’s no choice. They know who you are. You have to get out, now. There are palace guards crawling all over the Realm looking for you, you’ll be able to find someone. If there are still tracks out front, follow those and—”

“They know?” she whimpered, terror stricken.

It crushed me to see her so afraid, especially knowing I couldn’t follow her. “Your horse is tacked by the fence. As soon as your feet hit the ground you run for that animal, and you get out of here as fast as you can. Don’t go back through the glen, Lazio has too many people in his pocket there. When the sun starts to rise, ride south. Do you understand me?” I realized I was shaking now too, at the idea of sending Reyah out on her own. For not being able to protect her out there, where even the wilderness could kill you at this time of year. But she needed to go. Now.

“Callan, I—”

“Don’t turn back, Reyah, if you hear anything in the cabin you keep going. Do you understand me?”

Reyah’s breath caught. “Yes, I understand,” she whispered.

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