Chapter 23 Run away
SOMA
The silence after Brynne’s words feels too heavy. I don’t breathe. I don’t move. I don’t speak. Not until he repeats the words: “I’ll help you.”
“Are you insane?” I spit, freeing myself from his hold. He doesn’t stop me. I know what this is. A trap to get Mason killed. “You’re insane.”
“Soma,” he begins softly. “You’re not fit to be a royal. I know it. You know it too. So let’s drop this charade.”
He stretches his hand toward his brother, who drops a wad of cash onto his palm. There’s so much of it. It should be enough to give Mason and me a good life if we live.
Has Mason left? I trust Lilith to keep her word.
“Since you’re doing me a favor, of course I’ll repay you generously,” he adds. Kade drops another wad on the first, and I gulp. I’ve never seen so much money in my life. “I loathe you as much as you loathe me. Let’s not make each other go through this bullshit selection, okay?”
When I don’t speak, Kade clears his throat. “What my big brother is trying to say is, get out of the palace. We’ll help you disappear forever. You and Mason.”
“No,” I mutter.
“Kade,” Brynne mutters.
He waves his brother off. “I’ve got this. By disappear, we mean, we’ll help you start afresh in a new place.”
Lilith’s face flashes in my mind, as does her earlier warning. They might be influential, but I don’t think they can escape the priestess or their father’s wrath. I eye the money for so long, allowing myself to imagine how much better my life would be if I took it and ran away with Mason. But once we get caught, the money won’t save us, and I know the brothers won’t, either.
Besides, if this is a prank, I’ll suffer the consequences alone. I tear my eyes away from the money and shake my head.
“No,” I state with more conviction. “I’m staying.”
“Excuse me?” Brynne utters in disbelief. “You’re what?”
“Staying. The Moon Goddess chose me,” I mutter. He blinks in shock, and I put more gap between us. If I’m fast enough, I’ll make it to my room. “I don’t want to disappoint her. Thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it.”
Brynne snaps. He storms toward me, but Kade grabs him by the forearm to stop him. They share a look, and his chest sags with a deep breath. It’s like a switch flips in his head because when he turns to me, he’s smiling. And yet, that’s worse than having him scowl.
“Okay, Princess,” he says. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Lady Thief.”
Brynne walks backward to the door and pulls it open. Kade leaves first. But before Brynne exits, he turns to me and winks. I think… I think I just signed my death sentence.
The rest of my day goes too smoothly. I don’t leave the room, but it doesn’t seem to be a problem since the maids bring me food. The princes stay away from my suite, but it doesn’t stop dread from prickling my belly or the memory of our brief encounter from haunting me.
How’s Mason? Besides Lilith, who else knows about his plans to leave? Brynne doesn’t seem to know, or he would have tried to use that knowledge against me.
By nightfall, I shower slowly, letting the water wash away Mason’s disappointment and Brynne’s touch. All done, I change into the nightwear a maid brought earlier and slide beneath the covers of the enormous bed.
The softness swallows me whole, but my body remains on edge. As I’m about to drift off, the door creaks open. Lilith steps inside, her presence as effortless as always.
“Hey,” she says, her eyes warm as they sweep over me. “Just checking in. How was your day? Settling in fine?”
It’s a simple question, but my mind reels back to the incident with Brynne. To the heat in his voice, the anger in his words, and the force with which he yanked me close. My jaw tingles at the memory, and I rub my hand over the spot.
“Yes. It was fine. I’m fine,” I mumble, curling my fingers into the blanket. “Thanks. How was your day?”
Lilith watches me for a moment, like she knows I’m holding back information. “Fine. Thanks for asking.” When she speaks again, her voice is softer. “Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be hectic.”
“Hectic.” My brows pull together. “How?”
Her lips curl into a knowing smile. “You’ll understand soon.”
She leaves before I can ask more questions, her pale robe swishing as she shuts the door behind her. I’m left in the dim quiet of the room, staring at the ceiling while unease pools in my stomach.
Eventually, sleep wins. The next time I wake up, it’s to the sharp sound of knocking. I bolt upright.
What if it’s Brynne again?
Should I have told Lilith about them? Light filters in through the curtains, painting warm streaks across the room. I turn my head slowly, still groggy, and my eyes land on the wall clock.
9:45 a.m.
What? I slap a hand over my mouth to muffle the gasp that rises. I’ve never slept this late in my entire life.
Before panic can fully take hold, another knock pelts the door. I slip my legs over the side of the bed and slide my feet into fluffy slippers. If it’s Brynne or any of his brothers, I can’t let them into my room.
The knock comes again, but it’s not from the main entrance. It’s the door to my room. They’re already inside.
As I near the door, my throat tightens. “Who’s there?”
“My lady?” The voice is gentle. Female. “It’s Jade.”
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