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Wes. The name tugs at me, reminding me of nights in the Wilds with Tessa. Her quiet smile, her quick hands, her gentle manner. Her intelligence. Her bravery. I fell in love with her by moonlight.
“If you’re breathing, you’re alive. If you’re alive, there’s still hope. Don’t undo it on your own.”
“I’ve been waiting for you to wake up.” I don’t smile back. “Maybe you should’ve picked a fight days ago.” “Welcome back, Your Highness.”
The whole time, I imagined holding Rian under the water until he drowned.
I need to reverse time. I need Corrick back. Sometimes I remember his voice so clearly it’s like he’s beside me, and the memory is so painful that I think my chest is caving in. Please, my love.
“Are you in pain?” He glances away from the water to say, “No. But you were.” Well, that does it. I let go of the oars and press my hands to my face, because the tears are relentless. The sorrow and grief swell in me until I can’t contain them any longer.
I can just imagine Corrick’s reaction if he were here now. Lord, Harristan. Is writing letters the best you can do? You might as well just turn yourself in. My brother is going to return from Ostriary
It shocks me still. No one has ever kissed Prince Corrick on the cheek. I don’t even know if anyone’s ever done it to Weston Lark.
I know, my love. I’m trying.
Tessa, I’m coming. Forgive me.
It feels like forever since I was last hiding in the darkness, and it’s weird to do it without Tessa beside me. I’d know her emotion without her having to say a word, whether she was feeling brave or frightened, angry or eager. I’d know the pattern of her breathing, the scent of her skin, the meaning of every indrawn breath or frown.
I’d give anything to have her here right now. Though she would hate everything about this.
Either way, the time has come. Forgive me, Tessa. We’re going to have to act.
Please, Tessa. Forgive me.
He sounds like the grandfathers in the Wilds who’d share warm stories about their childhoods while Tessa and I were bringing them medicine. They’d pat me on the cheek and call me a good boy and wink at me, asking if I was sweet on Tessa when she couldn’t hear. Just a little, I’d always say. Lord, how she’d hate this.
I steel my spine, and then I tap Lochlan on the cheek, a little too hard to be friendly. “Love you, too. Now cover my back.”
I don’t even know if my years with Corrick as Wes and Tessa were worth it.
I’m trapped here. Corrick is dead. How many people did we really save? Did it matter, or did we just delay the inevitable?
I drop my voice and imitate Wes—Corrick. “ ‘Lord, Tessa. King Harristan really isn’t that bad once you get to know him.’ ”
From behind us, Ellmo growls like a wildcat. “I can be a demon.” “Trust me, I know,” says Rocco.
There are very few people I trust, he said to me. Three of you are climbing aboard a ship tonight.
But before the door falls closed, I notice Quint flip open the little book, just turning back the cover to that list of dates. At the bottom, he adds one more.
“And then you cheapen it by calling it an act of pity, you insult me by treating me like a whore, and then you hurt me by calling it a mistake.”
No matter what the consuls say, you’ve won over the Wilds.” I’ve won over the Wilds. My heart pounds. Now I just need to win over the sectors.
Dear Tessa, I’m coming, my love.
He shrugs a little. “Well, I’ve faced an army before.” He holds out a hand. “Still breathing, Cory.” I give him a nod. “Still breathing.” Then I reach out and clasp his hand.
Oh! You don’t know yet. She’s a princess.” He blinks at me. “Am I still drunk?” He runs a hand down his face. “What is happening.”
“I’m really glad I met you,” I say. She smiles. “Even though I was shooting at you?” “That might be my favorite part.” I give her a sly glance. “Erik’s too. He said it’s hard not to like a woman who can handle a crossbow.” “Did he!”
Oh, Corrick. My love. I miss him so much that my heart aches. I can hear his voice, smell his scent, feel his touch. I’d give anything for him to be here now.
“Am I dead?” I say, and my voice breaks. “No, my love.” He takes my hand, and he brings it to his face. He kisses my fingertips, then presses my palm to his cheek. “Very much alive, I promise you.”
His love. His hope. For the first time since arriving in Ostriary, I feel settled, like my world has been righted. I have Corrick back, and I can face any challenge.
“If only we had masks, it would be like old times,” she says, a little breathless from the effort. I look at the faint tracing of her profile in the moonlight. “I like it better this way.” “I hope you know I plan to sob all over you properly later.” “I hope that’s not all you plan to do all over me later.” She gasps, then grins, her smile bright in the darkness. “Not for nothing, but I am right here,” Lochlan says from below us.
I reach out and take Tessa’s hand. “No,” I say to Thorin. I look down at Tessa, then brush a kiss along her knuckles. “It’s a beautiful morning,” I say to her. “Would you care to go for a walk?”
That no part of me expected you to uphold these—” “I love you,” I say. “Of course I’m going to say yes.” His eyes are still troubled. “You don’t need to say yes. We could remain together without—” “Corrick.” I step into him and press a soft kiss to his lips. “There could be a dozen crossbows pointed at me, and I’m not going to say no.” “Let’s try to avoid that part, shall we?”
“Tessa, you helped me negotiate a peaceable treaty with Ostriary. You helped me see the ways I could be a better King’s Justice. You’ve stood by my side throughout countless attacks. When you were trapped on Ostriary, you took action to help the people. Even when you believed in Rian, it was his conviction that inspired you, and seeing that inspired me. Truly, how could you be a better political ally?”
He catches my hand and turns me back around. Without hesitation, he drops to one knee. There’s a ring in his hand, and a determined look in his eye. “Tessa Cade,” he says, “I’m ready now.”
“The looters!” Corrick smacks me on the arm. “You thief!” I smile. “You outlaw.”
