My heart thumped faster in my chest, and I watched as she turned to pace, too close to the edge of the cliff.
I couldn’t think. Couldn’t breathe. “We need to run.”
“Wait. There are things you need to know.” Her voice had turned eerily calm. Her face was blank, and the color had returned to her cheeks. It was as if we could have been discussing the weather.
Shouts sounded in the distance. It was too late. We’d taken the wrong path. It was only a matter of time before they cornered us both here. My mouth went dry, my entire skin itching as I practically danced on my feet, desperate to move.
“Mama, please. We have to…to hide.”
Hiding would be no use. The king’s guards were trained for exactly that. My chest clenched until my lungs felt like stone.
My mother took my face in her hands, forcing me to focus on her. “While you have always been the daughter of my heart, I did not birth you.”
“What are you talking about?”
She gave me a trembling smile. “I didn’t expect to love you as I do. I…I did what I could to protect you. I’m sorry I took you from your family. But I could never be sorry for saving your life.”
The breath froze in my lungs. “You…you kidnapped me? When?”
“I knew you had to live, so you could save us all. But first, you must find the prince,” she told me. “Find him and meet your fate.”
I just shook my head. The prince had only seen nineteen winters. King Sabium—his father—wanted me and anyone like me dead. What could the young prince possibly do for me? How would he help?
“The prince,” she insisted.
“We’re wasting time.”
“Promise me you’ll find him.”
My mother’s mind was breaking. It happened often with seers.
“I promise.” I grabbed her hand. I’d drag Mama with me if I had to. I would find a way to save us both.
My mother struggled, lashing out wildly. Despite her thin frame, I could barely hold her still. What would Tibris do when he arrived home from healing and learned we were both dead? When he became the only surviving member of our family? When he learned his life was forfeit?
“Please,” I managed to choke out, as the shouting increased, the guards approaching. I gazed around wildly. We could head east if they hadn’t blocked that route yet. It was our only chance.
Immediately, more hollering sounded from that direction. We only had one choice left to us. I choked on guilt as it thickened in my throat. I should’ve known Mama’s mind had given out. By not taking control of the situation, I’d doomed us both.
“We need to hide,” I snapped.
But it was too late. Three of the king’s guards had already found us. One of them stumbled over a tree root as he burst through the tree line, and any other time, I might’ve smirked.
The guards were panting, but there was no mistaking the grim satisfaction in their eyes.
“Submit to arrest,” one of them ordered.
It was over.
My mother held out her arms. I nestled close. One last embrace before we were both slaughtered as a warning to those who would attempt to hide from the gods.
“Swim, my darling. Swim.”
Mama stood back and shoved me with both hands. A scream ripped from my throat.
I felt nothing but air beneath my feet. Then I was engulfed in a cold so all-encompassing, my lungs stuttered out the scant breath I’d been holding.
I kicked out desperately, fighting against the current. My arms strained as I thrust them through the water. But the river carried me away. I lifted my head, choking, and pulled in one precious gulp of air, angling my body toward the bank.
Something hit my back, driving the air from my lungs. A rock. Water closed over my head. I kicked up, reaching for the surface. But something else held me down. Sharp pain radiated from my shin as my leg smashed into another rock. The urge to inhale was almost inescapable.
My dress was caught. Caught in the depths of the river. A stupid way to die.
Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods.
I tugged at it. Nothing. I would drown here.
My lungs screamed for air. Was drowning a better death than being burned alive?
My vision dimmed at the edges.
Fury burned through me. I couldn’t die like this. I refused.
I bent at the waist and kicked out with my free leg, reaching for my dress with both hands.
I pulled.
Nothing.
My panic was turning dull, my body becoming sluggish, already losing the battle against the cold water. My fingers were stiff, numb, almost useless.