They’re all going to die.
I failed them.
This is my fault.
The door opens once more, but I can’t even bring myself to turn and see who it is.
A hand slides over my shoulder. “What did he say?” Nia asks.
“He won’t help me.” No one will. If I’m going to fix this, I’ll need to find a way to do it myself.
“What now?”
There’s only one thing left to do. “I’m going to the castle anyway.”
* * *
The public carriage drops me right at the castle gates, where the guards refuse me entry. Their response comes as no surprise. Why would they let a random stranger through? Still, I don’t know what else to do so I stand at the gilded gates, staring at the stone castle in the distance, pleading with the fates for an audience.
The sun sinks in the sky, the shadows growing larger, more formidable, yet another barrier to overcome. Then I see a gilded carriage tearing up the lane, drawn by four horses.
The king.
Finally, something today is going right.
Two guards rush to open the gates, while a third keeps track of me. I’ve had plenty of time to go over what I want to say, how best to appeal to the king. I only have one shot and cannot fail.
The carriage rolls to a stop where I stand, but my hope vanishes the moment the curtain swings aside and I find the queen sitting inside.
“Kerris Dawn. What a surprise. I was under the impression that my son was no longer courting you.”
And from the smile in the queen’s cool tone, the thought pleases her. Yet another reason to be relieved my dealings with that cad are through. “I’m not here to see Ronan. I would like to see the king.”
The queen tugs on her lace gloves, adjusting the hem at her wrist. “My husband is a very busy man. Is there something that I might be able to help you with?”
How can I ask for help when she’s the one who wants the bridge closed?
What other choice do I have?
“I heard a rumor about the bridge being closed and am concerned about the wellbeing of the Unseelie across The Divide.”
“And what of the wellbeing of those in Rosehill? Or do our lives matter less than theirs?”
“Of course, not?—”
“Then you must know that, as Queen of Willowhaven, it is my duty, first and foremost, to protect my people. That bridge has brought nothing but trouble since the day it was built.”
“Please. I’m begging you. If access is cut off, you’ll be damning them all.”
Her smile returns. “Good day, Miss Dawn.” She calls to the driver. The whip cracks, and the horses lurch forward, the carriage gliding away on gilded wheels.
I leave without even a spark of hope in my veins.
The bridge has been closed and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
48
“Sometimes there is nowhere to go but down."