Deborah and two other women stand where the Kyanites stood, their hands bound, their eyes downcast.
Graveness etches Alden’s features as he turns and addresses the crowd. “Today, we condemn those who murdered Kassandra.”
My heart races as I take in the solemn man next to me. Gabriel stares straight ahead, his eyes locked on the trees swaying in the distance.
He did this.
I know he did.
Alden continues, drawing my attention back to him. “They will die for the murder of Kassandra. May Olah forgive them. For we do not.”
One by one, Bloodstone archers strike the condemned women, and they fall to the ground, their bodies riddled with arrows.
I feel no empathy, no tugging at my heart. They knew what they were doing when they took my beloved friend from me.
Their deaths don’t ease the pain of her leaving, but I’m happy knowing they cannot do this to anyone else.
ChapterForty-Five
“Sol.”
I blink through the haze of sleep as the voice comes again.
It’s only been one day since the executions. One day since I watched the condemned fall. It’s not nearly long enough.
“Sol, wake up!”
As I open my eyes, Gabriel yanks on my arm, dragging me from the bed.
“Come quickly.” Worry thrums from his tone as he continues. “Astarobane is under attack.”
“W-what?” My words wobble as I try to gain my bearings.
He shakes me. “You must hide along with the other women.”
Alarm rises thick in my veins as I’m carried to another time. Fire threads the floorboards. The walls, the ceiling. Smoke rises thick in my throat. Screams pierce the air. My people’s screams. Mother’s screams.
Gabriel shakes me again. “Sol, I need you to listen to me.”
“I’m listening.” I swallow through the grit, the fear, the worry.
“Here.” He shoves a cloak around my shoulders and pulls me from the cottage. Fire rises in the distance. Cries pierce the night air.
I quicken my pace to match Gabriel’s as he leads me through the city full of panicked people. Most of the women and children scurry toward the palace with fear burning in their wide eyes.
“Gabriel.” I tug on his arms. “I don’t want to go there. Let me stay with you.”
“You can’t.”
The fires grow closer. The screams draw closer.
I shiver and bring myself against Gabriel.
Gabriel pulls me around a tall building. “Sol, I don’t have time to take you the rest of the way. Promise me you’ll stay hidden.”
“Gabriel.” I tighten my fingers around his arm, needing him to stay nearby.
He hunches down beside me and stares into my eyes. “Promise me.”
