I sank my head into my hands as Gabrielle dismissed her guards.
“Your Majesty,” Leoni said, a hard edge to her voice.
Gabrielle only held up her hand. “I will be fine. I need a moment alone with the princess.”
Leoni looked between us, distrust flashing in her eyes. I didn’t blame her. I wouldn’t trust me either. Finally, the guard nodded and strode from the room, closing the doors behind her.
For the first time, I noticed the wreckage our actions had left behind. Water lay in puddles everywhere, torn vines scattered across the floor. It was a mess.
“I’m sorry,” I said, voice quiet, and I wrapped my arms around my waist. “I’m so sorry. You let us in, gave us a safe place to stay, opened up to me, and I betrayed you.”
Gabrielle’s jaw clenched.
“I just wanted to save the earth court, and Penn convinced me this was the only way. I didn’t know what else to do, Gabrielle.” I swallowed. “I made bad choices, and in the end, that is my fault. You’re right. I don’t know that I deserve to be queen, either. I’ve been questioning that very thing ever since I escaped from my stepmother. I’ve wondered if my people would approve of anything I’ve done over the last few months.”
I looked at her, and she still stared straight ahead, giving no reaction to what I’d said.
“You’re an amazing queen,” I said. “I see you with your people. They admire you, respect you. You know them by name. You support their businesses, even in a time like this. You’re so strong. You rose to the occasion when your court needed you most.” I turned to her. “Let me go after my father and Penn. I don’t know where they’ve gone, but I have to find them before Penn kills my father. You have no reason to trust me, but I will return, and I meant what I said before: I will accept the consequences of my actions.”
“Go,” Gabrielle said, voice monotone. “And don’t come back.”
She stood and walked out of the throne room, leaving me alone.
Chapter Fifty-One
Ifled from the castle and out onto the rocky cliffs where it sat. I had no idea where Penn had gone. If the guards couldn’t find them, then how would I expect to?
I worried my father was already dead, that I’d be too late to save him. I couldn’t lose him, not after I’d just found him. Penn wouldn’t want to stay in the water court. But he’d also been injured after that fight with my father and the guards, and he wouldn’t be able to travel to Mosswood Forest right away, especially not with my father in tow. He’d want to wait until he was closer to full strength. He’d want to hide.
I thought about that cove he’d shown me with all the crystals. It was the only place I could think to go, the only place I knew of that might be secluded enough for Penn. It wasn’t too far, and it was relatively easy to get to. I took a deep breath and went in the direction of the cove, ready to save my father—at any cost.
I arrivedoutside the little cove and slowed, creeping over the rocks and across the sand until I was just outside. I flattened myself against the rocky wall of the crystal cave and peeked my head in. I gasped. There lay my father, unconscious, Penn nowhere in sight.
“Father!” I ran inside and sank down next to him, gently shaking him.
He didn’t stir, so I did the only thing I could think of: I scooped water that washed up near us and splashed it on his face.
His eyes fluttered open.
“Father!” I threw my arms around his neck and helped him up to a seated position as he groaned.
I finally had a moment to take him in: his black hair had turned silver, his beard overgrown and unkempt, something I was sure he hated. Wrinkles lined his face that hadn’t been there just two years ago. But still, he was here. I hugged him again.
“What happened? Where is Penn?” I looked around. “Are you okay?”
I ran my hands over him, checking for injuries.
He gently grabbed my hands and pushed me away. “I’m okay, sweetheart. I’m here.”
A sob escaped my mouth. “I can’t believe this whole time you were trapped in that mirror. I don’t understand. I thought the Huntsman killed you. That’s what she said...” I trailed off, realizing it had all been a lie. “Why did she do that to you? Why did she do any of this?”
My father took a deep breath. “I think there are some things we need to talk about.”
My entire body tensed at the words. “Like what?”
“I... I haven’t been honest with you. There are things that you don’t know, that no one knew, not even your mother.”
I thought about the accusations Penn had hurled at my father. “Was Penn telling the truth? About the Great War?”
