But the moment her mouth cracked open, the sludge of the pond floor gave way beneath her.
Something cold and boney wrapped around Kestrel’s ankle, and she was lurched into the depths.
Arms spiraling, Kestrel thrashed against the hold upon her. She flailed and grasped, searching for anything to hold onto and fight against the tug taking her under. The light above was dimming too rapidly, the pond too deep. She was losing.
Finally, slowly, Kestrel turned her head and faced whatever was dragging her downwards.
Two yellow eyes met her gaze. Kestrel was not alone in the lake.
Chapter 36
The Touch of Death
ELORA
All Elora could do was stare at Kestrel who was watching her with such a wounded expression she wished she could tear her own heart out. If only she could explain—Elora never wanted to kill her, had already decided she wouldn’t. But what could she say, especially now with the audience they had around them? The truth was, when the queen had first approached her with the offer, shehadconsidered it. A few days ago, there was no price she wouldn’t have paid. But that had all changed once she’d come to know Kestrel. Come to care for her.
If she admitted to that now though, her freedom would be lost forever.
She couldn’t go back to those dungeons. To a life of torture and fear.
But she couldn’t kill Kestrel either.
Leighton raised his sword to Elora’s chest, pulling her from her thoughts.
The steel glinted as lightning struck overhead, and Elora thought that maybe this would be for the best. He would strike her through the heart, and she would die—for a brief time. Andwhen she came back to, all of this would be over. She wouldn’t have to confess to the queen that their deal was off, and she wouldn’t have to kill Kestrel.
But if she was incapacitated, there was no telling what would happen. The queen still had at least a half dozen guards at her bidding; if Elora wasn’t able to fulfill her wishes, surely one of them would.
The thought of rising from death again, only this time to a world without Kestrel in it, was enough to set Elora’s blood on fire.
No one would lay a finger upon her princess.
She needed a plan.
But before Elora could concoct one, Kestrel screamed, the sound cut off abruptly by a gurgling of water as her head disappeared below.
For one fraction of a moment, it was like the realm had stilled. Like time had stopped and no longer held any meaning.
Everyone gaped at the spot where Kestrel had been, at the bubbles floating to the surface. The water looked darker now, somehow deeper.
It was Micah who called out for her first, his voice sounding as disbelieving as Elora felt. “Kestrel?” He waited a moment. Tilted his head to get a better look. When Kestrel didn’t emerge, he barged forward.
“Ah-ah-ah!” Queen Signe snapped her fingers, and three of her guards closed in around the prince, their lances and swords aimed to kill.
“Leave him alone!” Leighton snarled, twisting around as he heaved his sword, leveling it at the queen. “What did you do to Kestrel?”
“I’ve done nothing to the girl,” the queen replied cooly. “But if the fool can’t swim, then this is a fate far better than any I could’ve schemed.” A small, bite of a laugh escaped her. “Tothink, her own vision lead her here to her demise. It’s splendidly cruel.”
“Let her go!”
But the queen didn’t respond. Already, her gaze was becoming hazy, her focus intent on the glowing prize in her hands.
Growling, Leighton reared back. He started to sprint for the pond and Elora had never been more grateful for his stubborn heroism. But before he could make it more than a bounding stride, Efrem stepped in front of him. In a flurry of blows, the young guardsman managed to disarm Leighton, and sent him buckling to his knees.
“What are you doing? We have to save her!” bellowed Leighton, straining to break free.
“The queen’s orders are to?—”
