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“Of course, she knows,” my father said from behind me, and I stumbled back into my bedchamber, taking in the weary lines of his face. “She’s sealed our fates.”
Though his words struck through me like a dull blade, there was no anger to his tone, only soft resignation. Eyeing his armor and the sword at his side, I asked, “Where are you going?”
“The prince and his men await us outside the city. We’re to escort them back to Errin.”
“You can’t,” I said, panic scratching at my voice. “It’s not safe.”
“Nowhere is safe,” he grumbled, then forced a smile into place when my face fell. Collecting me close, he murmured against my hair, “Look at me, honey bee.” Inhaling his scent, the blueberries I knew he kept tucked in a pouch upon his weapon holster, I met his tired green eyes. “Be brave.”
My mother followed him out, leaving stifling worry in her wake. It clouded the room, my mind, and I was thankful when Linka entered to take me away from it. “Come, now. It’s just a quick journey south.”
I nodded, my arm in hers. From the balcony of my parents’ rooms, Linka and I watched as my father, atop his midnight stallion, took flight with his soldiers and disappeared beyond the gathering dust.