One day, maybe, that spark could catch and burn into a steady flame.
“Come with me, Rune. Your grandmother would want you to be happy.”
Rune had no defense against his arguments this time. Nan had loved her more than anything; she did want Rune to be happy. And Alex was right about Cressida—there wasn’t a more powerful witch alive. It was silly to insist she could do more than the youngest witch queen could.
“You deserve to be happy,” he murmured against her lips. “Let me try to make you happy.”
Rune couldn’t remember the last time she’d cried so much in one day.
“Okay,” she whispered.
He pulled back, lips parting in surprise. “Really?”
She nodded. “I’ll go with you to Caelis. I’ll be your wife.”
Alex wasn’t the strategic choice; he was the safe one. The boy she could be herself with. The boy she could actually share a life with—because he didn’t want her dead.
FIFTY-THREE
RUNE
RUNE SPENT THE FOLLOWING day packing suitcases and making a list of things to send for once she and Alex were settled on the Continent. They had decided Rune would leave on the same ship as Alex the morning after Seraphine’s rescue.
Which was in two days.
An electric feeling zipped down her spine.
“There’s a pile of suitcases sitting on your front doorstep,” said a sudden voice. “Do you have visitors?”
Rune looked up from her packing list to find Verity sweeping into the casting room, her heeled boots clicking on the floorboards as she pulled her gloves off her hands.
Rune had sent a carriage to fetch her friend early, before Alex arrived for their last meeting about tomorrow’s heist. Rising from the desk, Rune bit her lip and turned toward her friend, who scanned the room, her attention homing in on the stacks of wooden crates crammed full of spell books, and the empty shelves beyond them. Verity’s brows knit.
“That’s what I wanted to tell you about.” Rune’s stomach knotted. She wasn’t looking forward to this conversation—or to leaving Verity behind. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I’m leaving the New Republic.”
Verity’s gaze shot to hers.
“I’m going with Alex to Caelis.” Rune touched the thin chain around her neck, lifting it out of her bodice so Verity could see the ring hanging from it. “He asked me to marry him.”
Verity blinked. “And you accepted him.”
“I know you wanted me to choose someone more useful …” Rune wrinkled her nose, not liking the insinuation that Alex wasn’t valuable. “But I—”
“No,” Verity interrupted, shaking her head. “No, I’m glad you didn’t take my advice.” She stepped toward Rune and reached for her hands, gripping them tightly. Her dark eyes glittered as she said, “I never should have made that stupid list. I wasn’t thinking about you. I was thinking about the mission.” She shook her head harder, as if angry with herself. “I’ve been a rotten friend.”
Rune let out a breath. “I thought you’d be more upset.”
“I am upset. You’re like a sister to me.” She looked stern, suddenly. “I don’t want you to leave, but I also want you to be happy. And safe. In Caelis, you can be both. Besides, Alex adores you. He’ll spoil you for sure.”
Rune smiled. “You’ll visit us?”
Verity squeezed her hands. “Of course.”
Rune pulled her into a hug, not even minding her perfume. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I’ll always understand,” Verity whispered.
* * *
SHORTLY AFTER ALEX ARRIVED, the three of them gathered in Rune’s casting room one last time to discuss tomorrow’s plan. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Verity pulled out two stolen Blood Guard uniforms from her rucksack.
“It might be a little big,” she said, handing one over to Rune. “But it should do the trick.”
The red wool coat, cotton shirt, breeches, boots, and hat were all stolen from the student in her dormitory. Hopefully, the girl wouldn’t notice before Verity returned them.
Rune took the stack of clothes. “Why are there two?”
“This one is for me,” said Verity, taking off her spectacles to rub her fingers against her tired eyes.
“But why do you need one?”
“I’m coming with you.”
Rune frowned at her friend. “Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous, Verity.”
Verity ignored her, picking up the black soldier’s hat and placing it on her head. “Everyone knows that witch hunters work in pairs, if not packs. It might look suspicious if you’re alone.”