I flip my hood up and hurry along the edge of the walls, staying within the shadows. Barely any torches are lit the further I get toward the balcony as no one really comes in this part of the castle anymore. It's good for me, less chance of being caught by one of the guards. I make it a point to nonchalantly walk out onto the balcony, acting as if I'm just going out to get some air. If someone's out there, I don't want to look suspicious.
As I begin to take the steps, though, I realize all of the guardsmen have retreated to their quarters, and the fields are empty. I glance back and throw my hood back up, hurrying across the garden and field to the edge of the woods. This time I step within the darkness, letting the trees shield me as much as possible as I move toward the stump.
When I reach the slab of wood, I glance around, hoping that someone's watching me from the rebels. I take the letter from the top of my skirt and shove it into the crack of the stump before quickly retreating. It is not the time to hover, and the further I can get away from that letter, the more likely it is that no one other than the rebels will find it.
I continue inside the edge of the woods, my eyes shifting around, a tightness in my chest that I can't quite put my finger on. I try to tell myself that it's just me being paranoid, but as I reach the edge, leading down into the gardens, a hand reaches in and grips me by the arm, yanking me out of the woods. I stumble to the side, tripping and falling. My arm scrapes against the stones and gravel until I come to a stop, looking up at Gregore standing in full armor.
My brow furls, and I open my mouth, fully intent on letting him have it, but Drogaem steps out from behind him. I swallow hard and quickly get to my feet, wincing at the feeling of torn flesh on my elbow. I remind myself that it's nothing compared to what Drogaem is capable of doing to me.
I dare not even glance over toward where I had set the letter. Drogaem walks to me, the tips of his fingers pressing together, resting against his mouth. He looks me up and down with disgust. "What's a little human, like yourself, doing out in the dark woods at night?"
"I needed some air."
Drogaem laughs, and then snatches me by the face, squeezing my cheeks with his fingers. He yanks me forward toward him, staring me in the eyes. "Do you actually think that you can lie to me? Do you think I don't know what you're doing out here?"
I swallow hard, wondering where the letter is. Wondering why he hasn't shoved it in my face yet. I'm stupid for going out so quickly. Now I'll never get word to Willem and the others.
Drogaem releases my face forcefully and sighs as he glances over at Gregore. "A young human with powers that don't belong to her goes off frolicking in the woods late at night to research a way to kill me without dying herself, and thinks I won't know about it."
My eyes shift back and forth, suddenly realizing that he doesn't know about the letter at all. He thinks I'm out here coming up with ways to kill him. I jump on it. "If you will, what would you do in my situation? Knowing that I am weaker than anyone here, would you not expect me to try to protect myself?"
Drogaem looks at me suspiciously. If I can't make him think that I'm on his side, then I can at least make him believe that I'm trying to be brave. To connect him to me in some way, shape, or form. His face begins to soften, and he glances up at Gregore, brushing him off. The general grunts before walking back toward the castle. I stand perfectly still though, watching as Drogaem approaches, putting his arm over my shoulder as he pulls me forward toward the gardens.
"I thought when I met you and realized who you were, that I would see more Lux in you. She was an amazing lover, skin like silk, mad appetite for desire that rivaled even myself. We would spend long evenings in that training field, doing things to each other that your human mind couldn't even comprehend."
My stomach twists, hearing about it. He takes a deep breath and shrugs his shoulders, turning to face me. "But she was stupid too. She defied fate and ruined everything we were supposed to have."
The heat inside me begins to build, and I can feel a bravery that hasn't ever been there before. It almost feels as if the other soul inside of me is standing taller and stronger, pushing me forward. I can no longer fall to his feet, and I will no longer allow him to believe his own lies.
I scoff, shaking my head. "You and Lux were never meant to be together. You are not starcrossed lovers. She did not ruin fates choice in love. You think you cursed her, when in fact, you gave her a boon, allowing her to find love in every new life she's ever been given. She has seen and felt more emotion than you will ever be able to comprehend in a million of your lives. The
