Page 22 of Fortress of Blood and Power

I’d killed men. I’d wielded power my wildest imaginings could never have fathomed possessing. I’d survived more hunters seeking me, an avalanche, and the chill that had wracked my body afterward.

And somehow, along the way, I was finding myself captivated by a man who seemed to flirt as easily as he breathed—without meaning anything by it. Though Garrick had confessed to loneliness, though he’d shown me kindness and friendship, he’d never offered anything more. He’d shared that his loyalty and protective nature stemmed from his wolfish side.

Sighing, I ran a hand through my hair, dislodging strands from the knot I’d pulled it into yesterday. Silver locks fell into my eyes. Perhaps I was fooling myself, hoping to survive this harsh world, forever evading the Silverfrost family’s reach. Perhaps Ishould try leaving Brytwilde behind and trying to venture back into the human world.

Though I had no money, no other living family apart from Charles, and not a single friend I could depend upon to care for me, I supposed I could find a way to make a living. In a town away from Altidvale, distant enough that no rumors of my magic had reached them, I could try to find a position as a seamstress. I could make a life for myself, secure and apart from public scrutiny. Everyone gossiped about a strange young lady out in society, expected to gain suitors, but no one would pay a lowly seamstress much mind. Especially if I forever tucked my hair beneath a bonnet and kept my head down.

Resolve hardening, I lifted my chin when I heard Garrick’s approach. His form filled the cave entrance, freezing as if he sensed my intent before I opened my mouth.

“It’s safe,” Garrick said, at the same moment that I announced: “I’m returning to the human world.”

For a moment, he merely stared, his gold gaze sweeping over me. “Is it your magic?” he asked at last, brow wrinkling.

“What?”

“Do you fear it? Now that you’ve seen what it can do?”

I shook my head. “No.” Then hesitated. “Perhaps. I...it’s not as if I’ve killed a man before. Let alonefour.” My voice trembled.

Garrick closed the distance between us, his expression softening. “You had no choice. And think of it this way: you saved my life.”

“That’s just it,” I whispered. He was near enough now that I had to lift my head to meet his eyes. “You shouldn’t have to risk your life for me, not again.”

“Oh, Starlight,” Garrick said, the corner of his mouth twitching. “I’ve so rarely had the chance in my life to do anything noble. Don’t take this from me.”

“I’m serious!”

Amusement flashed in his eyes.

“I can’t bear to be responsible if something bad happens to you,” I said, “and it’s become clear I can’t run from the king and queen forever. My best chance of survival—and freedom—is to return to the human world.”

The laughter died from Garrick’s eyes, replaced with such gravity that it frightened me. “That’s not possible, even if you had a home to return to. At least, not until you leave Silverfrost behind. The barrier between this kingdom and yours will forever prevent you from leaving. The land itself will recognize your blood and the fact that you belong to the royal family. Once a mortal crosses that barrier and is offered to the Silverfrosts, the magic forever restricts your passage.”

“What?” Despair flared, cold and devastating. I recalled the barrier I’d struck the night Charles had offered me to the fae. I’d thought it only extended around Altidvale, not around the whole of Silverfrost.

Garrick grasped my hand, his touch tender. “We’ll flee to Ashwood as planned. From there, you can choose to stay or to take your chances in the mortal world. Whatever you desire. But your only option for now is to run.”

I blinked at the tears threatening my vision. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

A muscle twitched in his jaw. “I’d thought we already agreed that attempting to turn back to the human world was hopeless, so I never believed you’d consider it as an option.” His eyes scanned my face. “Are you sure this doesn’t have to do with your magic? Those soldiers threatenedyoufirst. They would have shown you no mercy, had they captured you. And as I said before, in stopping them, you also saved my life. What you did wasn’t wrong.”

My smile was frail. “It doesn’t feel right, either.”

As if realizing he was still grasping my hand, Garrick dropped it abruptly. Before, I’d been shy, and he’d learned to be considerate. But now, the distance between us frustrated me more than I wanted to admit.Don’t mistake all his kindness for deeper feelings,I admonished myself.

“It will never feel right, not for someone with a good heart like yours,” Garrick explained gently. He flashed me a self-deprecating grin. “But take it from a wolf: Killing for one’s own survival is part of the natural order of things.”

After Garrick cautioned me to beware of shifting rocks, I left the cave to take care of my needs. I returned, cursing the bitter cold, to find my companion digging through his pack for the few rations we had left.

“I have bad news,” he began as he offered me a piece of jerky and our canteen of water.

I stifled a groan as I sat on the floor across from him, biting into the dried meat. “Haven’t you already shared enough bad news for the day?”

“I wish.” He sighed. “As helpful as your avalanche was, it also forced us deeper into Silverfrost, further from Ashwood’s border and closer to the royal family.”

My stomach churned, and suddenly my hunger vanished. “How much closer?”

Garrick cleared his throat, not quite meeting my eyes. “Their castle is within a day’s hike from here.”

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