Page 79 of Stolen Threadwitch Bride
I understood now.
Instead of going back to Briarbridge and the life I’d had, only ever dreaming of more… Instead of waiting for Rose to fall in love, marry, and have babies that I’d play aunt to, I would become. I would livemylife.
Because it turned out change wasn’t as bad as I’d feared—or at least, some changes weren’t. I could open my atelier. Lysander had said he’d pay me generously. Depending on his definition of “generous,” I could use that to cover my rent and materials. I might even be able to afford to move to Lunden and open there. Mama had sewn for a queen… perhaps I could, too.
With the workroom tidied to within an inch of its life, I started on my room, though there was little in there. Once that was done, I snuck into the kitchen, grateful to find no sign of Lysander.
Hil touched my cheek and asked if I’d been sleeping as she slid a cheese-encrusted pastry onto a plate in front of me. One end, I slipped to Fluffy, my silent shadow, but the rest I savoured, knowing it was one of the last times I’d get to enjoy her cooking.
That sense of finality on my shoulders, I stayed a while, dodging Hil’s concerned questions. She must’ve understood, because after a while, she stopped probing and instead plied me with cakes.
Thoroughly full, there was nothing left to do but wait for moonrise. I lay in bed, reading and snoozing, until the world outside grew dark, and then I crept out.
Little Minnow
This time I wasn’t surprised by Fluffy waiting outside my room, and instead of keeping Luna to a steady walk, I urged her into a gallop. The wind pulled my hair free from its ribbon and chilled my cheeks.
And it was glorious.
The lake was just as dark and beautiful as last time. Above, the moon was a little past half full. Its light flashed and flickered on the water’s surface as I lowered my offering into its cold grasp and called for the Lady of the Lake.
Her wake rippled this way at once, as though she’d been expecting me, and when she emerged, she was smiling. The brilliant, algae-green eyes glinted, warm. “Little minnow, you bring me a fresh offering.”
“I do.” As before, I held out the embellished stone. “I bring light. Say the command and it will glow.”
She cocked her head, smile softening. “Another thoughtful offering, little minnow. What is it you ask in return?”
I squared my shoulders and lifted my chin. “The same as last time.”
One pale eyebrow rose. “And you’ve found something you truly want?”
The empty space where my heart had been spasmed, and I clutched my chest as though I could still it. “I want to leave. Staying here is torture.” All the reminders of Lysander. The fear of bumping into him at meals or in the gardens. The thought of a future where he’d bring home some fae bride. The thought they’d stay young and beautiful while I aged and died. “Please, I really want to—needto go.” My words wavered, although I kept my head high.
“Oh.” Her shoulders sank and a fine crease formed in the otherwise smooth skin between her eyebrows. “Oh, my, sweet little minnow.” Her voice, the rush of water and wind, came out soft as she regarded me a long while.
Please. I want to go. Please.
She inclined her head. “A rose flowers and the east rises.” A chill breeze blew in off the lake, raising goosebumps on my arms. “Three and one join for all under the gilded lily. A king’s bastard seeks redemption and steals a heart. You see, I know many things, sweet little minnow. And I know youdowant to go.”
The hollow in my chest squeezed, hope flaring inside. I could see Rose and save for my atelier. I could get on with the business ofliving.
“But”—she shook her head and that flare extinguished—“not quite entirely. The hellhound”—her fingers wafted towards Fluffy—“and the friend… Ah, Sylvanna, yes. You don’t want to leave them or the one with the cakes and kindness.”
Breath huffed from me. I blinked, shook my head. “No. I… I want to go. I do. Ido.”
She gave me a pitying smile and stroked my hair. Her touch was cool and dry, not icy and damp as I’d expected. “Oh, my sweet, you think you do, but…” Her delicate shoulders bobbed. “I see the truth. It’s all I may speak. And that wish is not in every scrap and thread of your being.”
I sagged, hunching over my hands in my lap. What the hells was I supposed to do? This had been my plan—myonlyplan. I needed to get away from here—away from him. That frayed hole where my heart had been couldn’t take staying.
“You know,” the Lady of the Lake murmured, “you don’t only have to call me to give an offering and ask a question.”
Brow pinching into a frown, I narrowed my eyes at her. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, tell me what troubles you.”
“Why would you want to listen to my troubles?”
“I grow tired of the company of fish and water sprites.” She settled on a half-submerged stone, limbs folding gracefully, and nodded at a dry rock neighbouring it. “I already know your secrets just from looking at you, so it’s not as though you have anything to lose by telling me all about that aching heart of yours and the fae lord who contributed to it.”
