“I know you don’t trust him. But please ... for me,” she said. “I’m begging you, Celeste. We don’t have much time.”
It took a minute for Celeste to say anything. Isla waited, expecting more reasons this was all wrong, more pushback. But her friend must have heard Isla’s desperation, must have known how important it was to her. Because she finally said, “Where is the bondbreaker?”
They had a new plan. A last-ditch effort. Celeste was going to makepart of the castle crumble to lure Oro out of his quarters long enough for her to sneak into his secret library and find the bondbreaker.
“We need a place to use it,” Celeste said. “One where Oro won’t be able to interfere if he finds out we have it.”
“The Place of Mirrors,” Isla said. Oro’s powers would be nullified there, but enchantments like the bondbreaker would still work.
Celeste nodded. “I’ll get the bondbreaker. You bring whatever remaining healing elixir you have to close our wounds after the blood is shed. And that’s it. That’s all we bring, so no one becomes suspicious.” Her friend swallowed. “If anyone finds out ...”
One of them would end up dead. Isla knew that.
Oro had looked so cold. Sohimself,she realized. She had begun to believe that the insufferable, untrusting king had been a mask Oro wore to protect himself and his island.
Now, she wondered if the person she had glimpsed—the caring, trusting partner she had worked with for months—had been the costume instead.
Isla rushed to her room. She had a feeling she wouldn’t be returning to it. After they used the bondbreaker to break their curses and Oro found out ... she would have to flee, with Grim. And Celeste. At least until the hundred days were over and Oro either chose someone else to kill to break the curses or the island disappeared again. Perhaps forever this time.
Isla stood at the foot of her bed, trying to take it all in. The wall of leaves. The bathroom of white marble.
The chair where Oro had sat and offered her a deal.
The couch where she had laid her head in Oro’s lap and first heard him laugh.
The balcony where he had heard her sing and saved her life.
She shook the memories away with a scowl. All he cared about was his people and breaking the curses. He didn’t care about her.
Something shattered nearby. Tremors rippled through the palace.Celeste.Yells filled the halls, echoing. She braced herself against her wardrobe and knew it wouldn’t be long before her friend got the bondbreaker and made it to the Place of Mirrors.
Isla had to be quick. The heart was beautiful in her palm, a slice of sunshine. Part of her had considered stealing it and using its abilities to heal Terra and her realm. But taking it would officially doom Lightlark and the thousands who lived on the island. She wanted power—but she wasn’t that selfish.
And, as much as she hated Oro in the moment ... she wouldn’t hurt him.
Her hand shook as she wrote the letter to Oro. Explaining whatever she could.
When she was finished, her chest ached, her wound still pulsing in pain. It brought her to her knees, and there she stayed for a while, until the hurt dulled enough for her to move without groaning.
Satisfied she had given Celeste enough of a head start, she pulled her necklace.
Grim appeared immediately. She nearly sagged over in relief, seeing him still living. The determination in Oro’s eyes had been clear.
They didn’t have much time. Even weakened, Oro’s power was endless. And this was his territory. He wanted the Nightshade ruler dead and likely had a thousand ways to do it.
She strode over to him. Grabbed his hand. “Do you trust me?”
Grim looked at her. Blinked. “Of course, Hearteater.”
“Oro’s going to kill you to end the curses. Celeste and I know each other—we have an ancient relic that will help the three of us. We’re going to break our bonds, tonight. And then ... we’re going to have to run.”
She studied Grim’s face carefully. Watched his features twist. But he did not look surprised. Had he anticipated Oro would try to assassinate him?
“You would do that for me?” Grim asked, gripping her hand tighter.
It was foolish, caring for other players in a game as cruel as the Centennial. But she couldn’t help how she felt. “Yes. And you’re going to have to help me too. I might need some of your power to save my realm. I—”
“I’ll give you anything,” he said immediately. “Anything you need. Anything of mine. It’s yours.”
