Chapter 27: A Cruel World
(CORRINE)
Rothan doesn’t push .
We walk for several hours before I need a break. He has so food with him that he gives .
"You seem convinced that Locke ordered my execution," I say to him. "How do you know that for a fact?"
He doesn’t et my gaze as he chews on so dried at. "I saw the letter with his seal on it."
The taste of the at in my mouth turns to ash. Rothan has no reason to lie to . And if he’s bringing
to Locke—
"You don’t think he will let
live, do you?"
Rothan is silent for a few monts. "I don’t know what the king will decide. There is a chance he will send you sowhere. None of what happened was your fault. He knows that."
"There’s also a chance he will kill , though, isn’t there?" I smile wearily at him.
"I don’t want to mislead you."
"I appreciate your honesty, Rothan."
In this dire situation that I am now caught up in, I am even lucky to have Rothan by my side. With Sigrid gone, he is the only person in the world that has a little of my trust now. I trust him to keep
alive, even though it isn’t within his power to do that. At least he shares the sa optimism to keep
alive. I can work with that, for now.
This makes it easier for
to make my next decision. I cannot go to Locke. I don’t have ti to examine how I feel about knowing for certain that my fated mate ordered my execution. The sa man who told
I was safe, who kissed my forehead before sleeping.
If there is truly a child inside , I can’t take the chance.
A strangled laugh leaves my mouth. "The world is a cruel place. Isn’t it, Rothan? I know Locke didn’t love . How could he? But I think I loved him. I think I loved him deeply. And I don’t know why."
I bury my face in my hands, suddenly finding the whole thing both saddening and amusing.
"I just did. I loved how he looked after
even when he scolded . He made sure I ate on ti. He gave
the greenhouse. He checked that I was warm when I was in bed."
Sighing, I lower my hands and stare straight ahead. "Yes, I loved him. But I know he didn’t love . Which is why it must have been very easy for him to order my death."
"I’m sure that’s not true, Miss Corrine."
I sigh again, smiling down at the ground. "You don’t have to pacify . I don’t need assurances. I know his heart. He told your mother that he didn’t want to have a child with . He told Bella that I was just a tool. In fact, he told
several tis that I was a placeholder, a substitute. I believed all those things. I also believe that he only took care of
because he had to. And now, he’s got the real princess. My death will be a relief to him. Maybe it will be a relief to , as well."
When Rothan protests, I smile broadly at him. "I’m not upset. I should’ve expected this. Don’t think I’m whining about it. I’ve accepted my fate. I hope he’s very happy with Princess Ravenna. At least with her, his children will carry the royal bloodline and keep it pure." I get to my feet. "Let’s keep going."
Rothan looks like he wants to say sothing, but he holds his tongue. As we walk, he makes sure to stay a few steps ahead of , which gives
plenty of opportunity to inspect Freya’s bracelet.
As we approach the Misty Forest, it begins to glow.
"Once we reach the forest, how do we know where Locke is?" I ask curiously.
"There will be so guards there. You will stay with them, and I’ll fetch the king. These things should be done privately."
He ans my execution. He’s trying to spare my dignity. How sweet.
Then, bitterness flows through . Or maybe it’s the king’s dignity he’s trying to protect.
As we approach the forest, I see a small hut. There are two n sitting there, roasting sothing on a fire. Rothan calls out to them and lifts his hand. They look surprised to see him but abandon their food and approach us.
"Rothan! What are you doing here?"
"Do you know where the king is?"
"Fighting on the border. Near the Veil. There was an outbreak there. Who is this?"
Rothan exchanges a look with . Clearly, the information hasn’t spread.
"No one," he says, shooting
an apologetic glance. I don’t mind.
"I’ll stay here while you fetch the king." My bracelet is glowing brighter, and I hide it under my cloak.
"I’ll be back." Rothan nods at
before hurrying off into the distance.
The two guys look
up and down before one of them says, "Are you a maid?"
I shake my head. "I am a ssenger. If you don’t mind, I’d like to relieve myself."
The guards look uncomfortable. "There are no facilities in the hut, but if you go over there, to the edge of the forest, it’s still safe. Just use the bushes on the outskirts. Don’t enter past the marker."
I was hoping that was what they would say. They’ve just made this so much easier for . "Excuse , then. Please don’t look."
The two n flush and turn their backs to . I head to the edge of the forest, and my heart beats with excitent as I see the glow of the bracelet intensifying. It’s pulling
toward the trees.
Coming to stand at its edge, I look at the gloomy-looking forest. Monsters are roaming in there. Sigrid once told
that nobody has ever survived this place.
I swallow. I’ll take my chances. Because this is the only option that I have left. I’m sure the other parts of the Veil are properly guarded. Nobody’s going to let
through anywhere else.
Throwing one last look over my shoulder, I disappear into the Misty Forest.
Goodbye, Locke.
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