“Dammit.” They were on our trail again. We both looked around, and when we heard riders through the trees, I dragged her low, crouching behind some brush.
Then came a muffled call. “Oh, little Graykey slut. Come out, come out, wherever you are.”
Quilla shuddered out a breath against me.
I pressed a finger to her mouth. “Shh.” With my mouth against her ear, I whispered, “Follow me. We’re going to crawl.”
She nodded, and we began to move. I kept her at my side, so I could look over constantly to monitor her eyes. They remained black no matter where we went. Since we couldn’t seem to evade our pursuers, and Melaina wasn’t here to disguise us, nor was Holly around to turn into a dragon, I doubled us back to where we’d left the horses. And had weapons.
Our hunters hadn’t found them yet, thank goodness.
We crept as silently as possible through the grass to my old mare, where I leaped to my feet and dug into my pack, fingers shaking the entire time.
Quilla busied herself, extracting weapons from her own pack and strapping them on. She blinked in surprise when I pulled out my second pair of tattered boots after getting my hand on a sword.
“What’re you doing?” she hissed, shaking her head in confusion.
Fumbling, I cursed under my breath, then slid open the hidden compartment in the heel of the boot. Quilla let out a silent gasp as she watched me gently pull out the leather strap of a necklace where the length was wound around a golden amber crystal.
Her gaze lifted questioningly to mine as I held it out to her. When she didn’t move to take it, I shook my head and grabbed her hand, pushing the amulet into her palm before manually closing her fingers around it.
Then I leaned in and pressed my forehead to hers, explaining almost soundlessly, “Qualmer was wearing it the night he attacked and killed my parents. It came off in the scuffle, and I picked it up after he left. I’ve kept it ever since to help me remember what he did to them.”
She shook her head, still not understanding. She looked almost betrayed to learn I’d had one of the very amulets she’d been looking for all along, so I added, “I had no idea what it was until I saw the one you were wearing last night, I swear.”
Torment filled her gaze.
“I didn’t want you to leave me behind,” I hissed urgently. “But now, you have to.”
Her eyes flared even wider, filling with panic. I glanced around to make sure no one had found us yet. “You stay here,” I instructed. “I’m going to cause a diversion, make sure they chase me, thinking I’m you. I’ll lead them in the opposite direction as the loch. When they’re far enough away, you run. Okay? Get back to Melaina and use the amulets so you two can go to Earth. Go to your safe place and live a full, happy life.”
Her lashes fluttered and her breath heaved as she shook her head insistently. “No. I’m not leaving you here to deal with this alone. Never.”
Tears sparkled in my lashes as I nodded. “Yes, you are.” Cupping her face between my hands, I smiled from watery eyes. “We don’t have time to argue this, empress. You need to go. Now. Stop worrying about me. I’ll be fine. It’ll be okay. And you’ll be safe. Forever. Just get to safety, now, and live. Live for me. Please.”
I leaned in and urgently pressed my mouth to hers. “I love you,” I swore as I pulled away. “Forever.”
She grabbed my wrist tight, keeping me down when I tried to stand. “No.” Shaking her head, she begged. “They’ll catch you. They’ll kill you. You helped us. You murdered one of theirs for us. Your own cousin. They’ll see you as a traitor and—”
“I’ll be fine,” I insisted, tugging my hand free of hers and kissing her cheek one last time. “I’m a High Clifter, and King Ignatius likes me. I’m close friends with all his children. He won’t hurt me.”
“But—”
I kissed her again. This one was harder, faster, and more pressing. “I know you never claimed me as yours. I know I can’t follow you, and I’ll never get to see you again. But you know this. It was worth it anyway. This short time I got to be with you.” I shook my head insistently. “It was worth everything.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “But I never told you—”
“Stay!” I ordered because our pursuers were getting too close, and we were out of time. I could see movement through the trees.
Shooting to my feet, I swung myself into the saddle of my mare and kicked her in the sides, causing her to whinny and gallop for all she was worth in a mad scramble through the trees. A shout followed and hoofbeats pounded, telling me they’d taken the bait and were chasing me.
Thank God. At least Quilla still had a chance.
Chapter 31
Quilla
Stupid fool man.
I squeezed my eyes shut, tears streaming down my face. I was utterly unable to believe what Indigo had just done. I wanted to stand up and follow him, share whatever fate he was about to meet with him. But then I looked down and opened my hand, staring in amazement at the amulet I held. My other hand wrapped around the front of my dress, and I clutched the second amulet through the cloth of my chemise.
I had two now. Right here in my possession.
A moon cycle ago, this was the main goal of my entire life. Nothing else had mattered as much as getting my hands on two of these suckers.
More shouting rose. I looked up.
Had they caught him already? I couldn’t tell.
A sob rose in my chest. I couldn’t leave him here like this. I couldn’t. But if I didn’t go now, his sacrifice would be in vain. He wouldn’t forgive me for allowing myself to be caught alongside him. Besides, I couldn’t save him if I was caught too.
I also needed to ensure Melaina’s safety.
Mind made up, I glanced around for my horse, but the mare was long gone. Probably frightened off when Indigo had given the others chase.
Stupid horse.
Why was everyone being so stupid today?
Didn’t matter. I just hoped it wasn’t catching.
I probably would’ve drawn too much attention climbing into a saddle and riding off with a horse right now anyway.
Holding my breath, I strained my ears, listening. No shouts, no hoofbeats, no clanging metal of a nearby battle. It seemed like Indigo had kept his word and gotten everyone off my trail. At least I think he had. I patted my face, wondering if my eyes were still black.
With no way to know for sure, I released a lungful and started to work my way to the stream, keeping low and quiet, dodging from tree to bush to boulder, always ducking behind and under whatever cover was available.
Hearing the running brook nearby, I gave up on stealth and plunged forward, hoping the sound of running water masked my headlong dash through the trees. The brook appeared before me, and I shuddered, not realizing I’d been crying the entire time.
I wasn’t sure if I was elated or devastated to reach my destination—maybe a little of both—but sobs seized me as I fell to my knees at the edge of the stream and looked down at my reflection. The water was running too fast, ripples distorting my view, but I think my eyes were brown again. I hoped so, anyway, because I’d be no good to Indigo if I was caught right now.