The king gives me one last malevolent smile before quitting the room, his guards trailing close behind. Bilson pauses for a moment, then follows as well.
“I trusted you! You scheming, lying bastard! I trusted you!”
The fucking traitor doesn’t spare me so much as a glance as he follows the king into the hallway. If anything happens to Allette, I will never forgive myself.
Think, Senan.
There must be something I can do. I refuse to accept that this is the end, yet as I stare out the wide bay windows toward thosevengeful stars, all hopes of escape vanish. If it’s the only way to ensure Allette’s safety, then I’ll marry the fucking princess.
Bilson said Allette was sent to the pit. That means there is still a chance for her. My life may be over now, but hers doesn’t have to be.
My head snaps up, meeting Bell’s narrowed gaze. “I need your help.”
He shakes his head. “I’m sorry, sire. But you must marry the princess.”
“I know. I know I must. I have accepted my fate.” I will marry the woman and move to Nimbiss where I will die without the antidote. But I will do so willingly as long as I can be assured that Allette will be safe and cared for. In a matter of weeks, she will have her tower back, and I have already transferred funds into an account reserved for her alone.
I just need to get her released from the pit.
“What I need is for you to save her.”
His brow furrows.
“To save Allette.”
Bell’s eyes close and his head starts to shake. “When are you going to let the past go? You saw her body. Allette is gone.”
“She isn’t gone. She has been stuck in the human realm all this time.”
Bell’s jaw drops, his gray gaze searching. “You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she now?”
“If the king was telling the truth, they just arrested her and threw her into the pit.”
The color leaches from his face as he stands there, staring at me as if I’m speaking ancient Scathian.
“You must help Allette escape,” I beg. “She has done nothing wrong. There is no one else I can trust with this. Please, Bell.”
He remains still as a statue. I hold my breath, expecting him to deny me.
Instead, he nods. “I want gold. An entire chest full. And I will need to resign my post. After defying the king, I can never return.”
“Does that mean you’ll help?”
He nods once more. “Don’t worry, sire. I’ll save Allette.”
A broken sob tears through my chest. He is going to save her. She will be all right. “I’ll have someone bring your gold to the Nag’s Head. Do you know it?”
“I know it well.”
My guard stalks toward the balcony, but before he crosses the wards, I call him back. My eyes burn with tears as I take one last look at the man who will save my girl. “You’re a good man, Eason Bell.”
“Thank you, sire.” He tips his head, offers a farewell salute, and then disappears into the night.
Fifty-Three