Page 75 of Fae Farewells

The hall was clear, thanks to Thatcher, but that was just the beginning of this jailbreak. We had a lot of ground to cover in a short period of time. And I wasn’t sure if they understood that.

Once we made it to the end of the hall, I eased the crates over with my foot. Three inches to the left, one inch forward. It left just enough space for the stones to move, but not enough space to draw attention.

The gap was small. Nate and I would only fit if we walked sideways through it until we were out of the palace. But that was the only option, so that’s what we did.

The uphill trek was dark and filled with spider webs, the moldy stench taking my breath away. Uneven places in the path caused me to stumble, so I grabbed Amelia’s hand to keep her from falling.

Freya began to squeal before it was muffled. I assumed Nate covered her mouth, or I hoped... I didn’t think a spider would knock her out that quickly.

It wasn’t like they were venomous.

I didn’t think they were, anyway.

When we reached the end of the tunnel, I pulled the handle away from the wall, turning it clockwise three times. A gap opened in the exterior wall, allowing us just enough room to slide outside. The rose bushes were overgrown and full of thorns, but none of us made a sound as we snuck around the corner of the palace and toward the west.

Toward freedom.

For the Kings.

Freya and I would get our freedom soon, too.

The forest offered more coverage, allowing us to relax a fraction. The moon cast its pale blue light between the canopy of trees, illuminating our path. We stayed clear of the underbrush, aware of the nocturnal animals stalking us. The only sounds heard were our breathing and the snapping of twigs beneath our feet.

“How much farther?” Amelia asked, labored already.

“Come here,” Nate mumbled, lifting her to cradle against his chest. “I’ll carry you while you rest.”

“You haven’t fed.”

“Let me,” I offered. “You need to save your strength, too. It’s not a short hike. We’re not quite to the halfway mark yet. And it will start to feel longer without using magic.”

Reluctantly, Nate set Amelia on her feet, and I scooped her up. She was too light, too thin, though she was in better health than she was when Freya and I were younger. It helped that the guards liked her. But had Alania ever gotten word of them bringing her extra food, they would be dead.

All of them if no one talked.

I’d seen one mass culling already.

It felt like forever before we finally saw the smoke from my grandfather’s cottage. We were so close, and no one had followed us.

Skepticism swirled within me.

Why hadn’t Alania sent guards after us?

She had to have felt the breached ward.

But I wouldn’t say no to a little luck.

A few more minutes and the Kings would be free of the fae realm, and back home with their mates. I was looking forward to the same. And I knew Frey was too, though I wondered what would be waiting for us when we reached the palace.

Valano was standing in his yard, and surprise made my feet falter when I saw Franklin and Pete.

Pete the pedmar, not Pete the giant man.

“I can’t change him into a butterfly,” I warned Franklin by way of greeting. “And I can’t sneak a pedmar into the palace.”

“He’ll wait here,” my grandfather replied.

“I would pay good money to see you sneak a pedmar through any palace.” Franklin smiled before hugging Amelia. “It’s good to have you back.”