Page 83 of Tower of Tempest


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“When you turned fifty,” I said.

She dipped her head in acknowledgement.

The clouds parted slightly, letting a ray of sun through. Just a sliver, but that would help. Feet pounded on the ground, everyone no doubt running to that sliver for protection.

“She came a few nights after you were born,” Queen Bronwen continued. “While I was singing you that song. My song. It calmed your crying. I begged her not to take you, begged her to reveal herself. She laughed and told me if I could guess her name, I could keep you.” Tears welled in her eyes, more blood spilling through her fingers. Too much blood. “I knew the offer for what it was: a mockery. A farce. I’d never be able to guess her name. She stood there in that same cloak she had all those years before. Her hands were more wrinkled, the skin thinner, but I recognized her voice. It was that same woman who’d offered me the crown. She snapped her fingers and you disappeared from my arms. Then shadows swooped in and took both of you away before I could even scream for help.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks now, her green eyes so bright.

She coughed again, and the clouds opened farther, letting the full force of the sun through. The shadows shrieked and fled over us, the guards yelling and chasing them.

“Where is the queen?” someone yelled now that the threat was gone. “Has anyone seen the queen?”

“Here!” I yelled out, edging forward and laying the queen onto her back. She gurgled out a sickly breath. The entire front of her dress was covered in blood now, and each breath she sucked in was wet.

“No,” I said.

She raised her bloody hand to cup my cheek. “I didn’t protect you then. I didn’t keep the shadows from taking you. I didn’t tell anyone the truth for fear of the retribution against me. It’s all my fault. I owe you everything.” She swallowed thickly, her hand falling to her side with a thunk. “Even my life.” Her breathing became shallow, and she gasped for air.

The guards surrounded us in the hedge, all of them staring with wide, suspicious eyes.

“Call the healer,” Erasmus yelled, then knelt down next to us. “What happened?”

“She killed the queen,” one of the guards said.

“What?” I shot to my feet, backing away. “No! No, it was the shadow. I don’t even have a weapon.”

“We do not make unfounded accusations,” Erasmus said with a sharp edge to his voice.

But the words had already been said, planted in everyone’s minds. A few of the guards took a step toward me, hands hovering over their weapons like I was a threat.

I stumbled back as the queen took a final ragged breath, and all the light left her eyes, her body going still.

“Blood and skies,” someone whispered.

“Princess,” Erasmus started, everyone except him staring at me with accusing glares. They’d arrest me. Take me to the king. And he was already suspicious of me.

I didn’t even think, just shot out my hands. Wind rushed from them, knocking the guards back with a force, giving me just enough time to turn and escape. I fled, racing through the hedges, entering deeper into the maze and fleeing through the confusing passageways as shouts rang out behind me.

I turned corner after corner, frantic, looking for a way out, wings rustling as they flapped overhead.

“Find her,” Erasmus shouted.

I turned another corner when a pair of hands wrapped around my mouth and yanked me into darkness.

Chapter Thirty-Five

POPPY

“Don’t scream,” a voice whispered into my ear.

I struggled against my assailant, who’d pulled me into a little alcove in the hedge, vines hanging over it and hiding us.

“She must’ve escaped into the castle,” a guard yelled. “I don’t see her anywhere.”

“We have to find her,” Erasmus yelled back. “Search the castle inside and out. No one leaves or enters until she’s found.”

“What is wrong with you?” another voice said. “Why would you just grab her like that? Of course she’s going to scream.”