Page 103 of To Wake a Kingdom

“We’ll never get out of here. She’ll never stop. I wanted to die. You have no idea how much I wanted to die.” Sobs wracked my body as I pressed my face into Ronan’s chest.

“We are going to stop her, and I am going to get you out of here.” He sounded so sure, I wanted to believe him more than I’d ever believed in anything. “But I need you to hold on a little longer. You’ve been so brave, but we need to keep moving. Don’t look in the mirrors. Just look ahead. Can you do that, my lion?”

I nodded, and he took my hand.

We ran again. Visions flashed in the corners of my eyes. Of Ronan and Kianna and my parents. Of them covered in blood. I saw Noah and Em and Gideon. Isabelle and Adrian. Kianna’s sisters and Ronan’s father, looming as large as a giant. I shut my eyes and ran. I saw Ronan’s mother and Esme, and even Angeline and Erick.

Kingdoms burned, and buildings collapsed, and the earth cleaved in two.

We rounded another corner, where a silver-haired, black-eyed sentinel waited at the gates of hell.

“Maida,” I said as we skidded to a stop. “Don’t try to stop us.”

He dropped his folded arms, gaze shifting between us, and then shook his head.“Follow me,” he said, but we didn’t move.

“Why would we trust you? You’re probably going to take us straight to Mare.”

“Didn’t I help you?” He raised his hands in surrender.

“Yes, but I’m sure it was only because you had something to gain.”

His shoulders slumped. “I suppose I deserve that. I won’t take you to Mare. I want to help you get out of here.”

“Why?”

Maida ran a hand down his face. It wasn’t quite remorse, but there was something tormented in the action. His dark gaze fell on me.“I’m the one who helped the former King Goldraven find you. He made me an offer, and I gave him the sword that allowed him to cut the brambles that protected you. But when humans use Fae objects, it sometimes messes with their heads. Often, they become the worst versions of themselves. And that day… Well, I’m not proud that I helped him do what he did.”

“You knew what happened.”

Maida nodded. “I told you it’s my job to know these things.” He cocked his head and let out a sigh, as if he was already regretting what he was about to say. “I’m also sorry about how I treated you when you came to me for help. You’ve impressed me, Princess. Not many could have survived what you did in this place.”

The admission surprised me enough that my response stuck to my tongue. Our gazes met, and if Maida had meant anything to me, I would have forgiven him then.

Somehow, he understood what I couldn’t say. “Just let me help you.”

I still didn’t trust him, but we also didn’t have many options. We could wander in here forever or take our chances.

“Fine. Help us.”

Maida returned my nod with a sharp jerk of his chin and spun on his heel, leading us through the halls. Only our reflections followed us now, mirrored a million times into the distance. We turned a corner, and ahead lay the doors to Mare’s castle.

“There is an exit out the back, where you can escape,” Maida said as we entered the black throne room, pointing to a door almost hidden from view by Mare’s throne. “There is a tunnel that will take you outside the walls of the menagerie. Once you’re outside, run and don’t stop.”

“Thank you.” After a moment of indecision, I threw my arms around his neck. I didn’t know why I did it, except for the need to convey my gratitude for the small kindness Maida had shown me. He stood stiffly and then wrapped his arms around me. “I won’t forget what you did. Whatever your reasons.”

I was about to turn away, when he stopped me, his fingers grabbing my chin before he tipped up my face. With his endless black gaze, he stared down at me, something foreign, but also strangely familiar passing between us. I blinked through a haze, the world tilting ever so slightly.

“You should go. Before she finds you,” he said, finally.

I nodded slowly and turned away, noting another strange look that passed between Maida and Ronan before Ronan looked back at me and held out his hand.

Our fingers clasped, we sprinted for the exit. We’d only made it a few steps when the ceiling above us shattered. Splintered glass accompanied a sonorous roar, raining down shards like deadly rain.

Mare’s demon flapped its wings, dropping with a thud into the center of the room.Gaze anchored to me, it stretched to its full height and let out a huge burst of fire.

Chapter Forty-Two

“Mare,”Maidahissed,drawingthe sword at his hip and baring his fangs.

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