Page 101 of The Enemy's Daughter

At the right time, we’ll get our moment.

He doesn’t understand.I don’t have time.

GiveVadora chance to find me. Give yourself time to heal.

Vador. I huff a humorless laugh. What must he think of me after what he was told happened to Enola?

It knocks the wind out of me. Unless we clear my name, there really is no place where Tristan and I can be together anymore.

What’s wrong?

When I don’t answer, Tristan looks for himself. He’s in every layer except my memories, seeking out my pain, separating physical from emotional, searching for what I won’t say.

My breath stutters out of me. I can’t hide it any longer.

I’m being forced to marry Liam.

My words land like the bombs that massacred the Republic. Wave after wave of fallout sweep over me—his confusion, then betrayal.When?

Tomorrow.

Then run, he says.

I can’t. My father will kill you if I step out of line.

Run awayanyway.His anger comes through loud and clear.

I shake my head. He’s being irrational, but the apprehension in him tells me he knows it. Tears leak from my eyes.Run away to where, Tristan? To Kingsland? Thanks to Annette, they think I hurt Enola. I’ll be thrown in jail or worse, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it because you’ll be dead before I even make it there.

His curses ripple over my skin.

I don’t want to marry Liam, but I will if it will keep you alive. If it buys us time to get you out. I can’t risk your life. I won’t.

You’re already married.

My father doesn’t care. You’re Farron Banks’s son.

Tristan’s frustration and anger and jealousy boil over, scalding me.

Keeping Tristan alive—in whatever way I have to—is the fulfillment of my vows.You will get free, Tristan. Wehave tobelieve that. But when you escape, I need you to do something for me.

Anything.

My eyes clench tight.I need you to run without coming for me. Go and don’t look back. I’ll come to you as soon as I can.

There’s only one way Father stops controlling me or dragging me back from wherever I run. One way to end the clans’ constant attacks on Kingsland.

I have to stop him.

A pulse of fear goes through me, and already I feel a question forming in Tristan’s mind. But I can’t explain it any further or let him see what I have planned. Undoubtedly, he’d try to change my mind. It means our time is up. I push off from the wall.

Goodbye, Tristan. I love you. I’ll see you soon.

Within a few steps, the connection thins.

Wait. Isadora—

Roots snag my feet as I trip down the dark path back to my house. The connection breaks off with a painful snap.

---