“That’s where Sebastian comes in. If we—you can convince him to join the Rebels, we’ll have the army of knights and the Force alongside us. Combining our forces is the only way to stand against Outside. This has to be done.” His eyes search my face, and I see the determination in them. “I’d rather give my life to save them than hide like Hart.”
He’s right. Risking myself in order to save my father is worth it. The image of my father Outside, maybe this moment being sacrificed to the cannibals, pounds against my inner vision. “I need to train harder. I have to learn how to take down Hart now. I have to get to my father, and I have to do it all now before I’m out there as a…as a mindless slave and I can’t do anything to—”
He presses his fingers over my mouth, and my words halt. I breathe hard against his hand. “It’s all right,” he says in a soothing tone. “It’s no different than the fear we’ve lived with our whole life. The fear of being taken by the Virus.” Slowly moving his fingers aside, he skims them along my jawline and cups my cheek. Embers stir beneath my skin where his touch lingers. “And, if you’re taken…” His eyes flick over my face. “I will come for you.”
His skin is warm and sure against mine as he smoothes away the anxiety etched on my features with the brush of his thumb. He drops his hand, and my body trembles at the wake trailing his touch. His eyes hold mine, their blue shimmering like the moonlight rippling over the river. He says more forcefully, “I will come for you.”
I place my hand over his, the one that held my face, and squeeze. “I will come for you, too.”
TWENTY-TWO
Death is too kind a word. My body feels like it’s been packed into a meat grinder and raked over fiery coals. I wince as I try to open the atrium door. Even my wrists hurt. I didn’t know I had muscles in my wrists that I could strain.
Devlan reaches his arm around me and grabs the handle. “Allow me, princess.” I can hear the amusement in his voice.
“Why, thank you, Sir Devlan.” I eye him through slitted lids. I swear he’s a masochist. He probably enjoys feeling pain as much as he does inflicting it.
Sebastian rises from his chair, tosses his silver embroidered cape over his shoulder, and greets me with a kiss to my hand. He guides me to my seat, his eyes trailing over me. “You look as if you’re feeling worse.” He cocks his head after he takes his seat. “You seemed in better shape yesterday afternoon. Have you fallen ill again?”
I sit as the servant behind me pushes in my chair. “I believe it’s just an aftereffect from the fever.” I nod, encouraging him along. “Muscle fatigue. I forgot to take my medicines this morning.”
His face pinches. “Zara, mayhap you should see the physician before we leave for town. I don’t want to take any chances it’s something—”
“I’m fine, Sebastian,” I interrupt. “Truly. I’ve never handled fevers or colds well.” I smile.
He studies me once before picking up his silverware, then returns my smile. “All right, my love.”
Relieved, I pick up a knife and butter my croissant. I would still be laid up in bed if it weren’t for Devlan giving Madity the soak this morning. I could barely hobble across my room when I first woke. Madity only mildly questioned me. I’m sure she knows horseback riding wouldn’t cause this much pain, or a fever, but she decided against probing.
I want to tell her everything so badly, but I can’t bring her into this. If protecting her means hurting her feelings by requesting another
maid, it may come to that. It will pain me, and I’ll never be able to explain to her the reason, but I can’t chance endangering her if she becomes too knowledgeable.
After breakfast, Sebastian leads me to the carriage at the front of the castle. It’s drawn by two white horses, and five members of the Force are mounted on black horses in the lead. Devlan and a guard from his knights ride with us in the carriage.
As we near the gatehouse, the giant gate squeals open as the electric charge surrounding the metal bars zaps off. I hear the hum, then silence. We pass through, and my stomach flutters with excitement as we leave Court.
If the past two days had never happened, my only thoughts would be on how to lose Sebastian and the knights in Town Square. As the town opens up around me, however, I’m plagued with different, pressing matters aside from myself.
Haphazardly stacked houses layer the cobbled streets, their rooftops peaked against the light sky. The scent of baking bread filters into the interior of the carriage. Children chase after the carriage, fake swords in hand. The market is packed with citizens milling around, buying corn from the recent harvest and materials to sew with. It’s peaceful. I didn’t realize how much I missed the freedom of coming to the market. I never liked having to leave the wide-open country around the farmhouse. Now, I miss the simple task of running errands.
Then I remind myself it’s all a façade. Beyond that bright skyline, a nightmare world lies, real and sinister. The simple life these people lead—eating, playing, laughing, even breathing—has a cost, and eventually they’ll pay the price.
Before I left Devlan last night, we spoke of what will take place once the barrier is brought down. I must understand the full consequences we’ll be facing. Fighting the predators of Outside is only one harsh truth. If we succeed, Karm will change in many ways.
If we’re successful in combining the Rebels, knights, and the Force, we will set up a military perimeter to deflect the cannibals’ and monsters’ attacks. Every citizen who can fight must. It will take every able body to defend Karm. Once the cannibals realize what we’ve done, they’ll destroy the compound, shutting off the power to Karm. We’ll be taken into a world more similar to Camelot than Hart ever imagined. Far closer to the old world of that time, and we’ll have to adapt.
As Devlan stated, my father, our families, and all the Taken are worth the risk.
The carriage rumbles to a stop near the podium in the middle of the square, jerking me from my strained thoughts. In the center, the platform where I once saw a man hanged stands two feet off the ground. Sebastian takes my hand as I exit the carriage. The Force lines up before us, already blocking the citizens who have grouped together to spy the prince, and now, I suppose, the princess.
Sebastian waves to his subjects and I mimic him, trying to feel not so out of place, even though I hate the action and the thought of my own importance. I drop my hand and smile instead. It seems more sincere.
My eyes scan each citizen, seeking Hadley. If I could get just one moment alone with her, I’d bring her into the know, make sure she’s aware—at least partially—of what will transpire over the next few months. She needs to be prepared for it.
She’s not here, though. My stomach plummets. She had to know that the prince was making a speech today, and that it was possible I’d join him. Where is she? I decide I’ll have to find a way to get word to her before our mission takes place, regardless of what may be keeping her from facing me.
Sebastian continues to wave and drops his head near my ear. “After my speech, we can go anywhere you’d like.”