I deserve your judgement and hold none over you for it.”
Tears stung the backs of my eyes. Was he telling me the truth? Did he not betray me? I didn’t understand. I needed answers…and he had them. “I’m listening. Explain it to me now.”
He held his hand out and I spotted that raw amethyst ring of his. “I promise on a sea of spider lilies to tell you the truth, but it is not safe to do so here. Take my hand, and I’ll tell you.”
Part of me knew there was a chance this was another trap but I was done running from him. He kept insisting he could explain. That piece of my heart that hadn’t broken yet was desperate, clinging to hope my love wasn’t in vain. I didn’t even hesitate. I reached out and placed my hand in his.
He gasped and pulled me behind him right as a demon lunged for us. It happened too fast, I hadn’t even seen it. But he stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. Light flashed and he was suddenly back in his golden armor with two swords gripped in his hands. He swung his gleaming blades left and right in quick succession. I clung to his back as the smell of maple syrup filled the air. From over his shoulder I saw the burst of black dust as he killed the demons.
Sharp energy slammed into my back.
I flinched and glanced over my shoulder — and found an opening in the tunnel wall.
Riah spun, wrapped his arm around my waist and leapt inside the tunnel – carrying me with him. Panic surged inside of me but then he immediately sat me on my feet and stepped back, dropping his arm from my body.
I turned and looked up at him with my heart in my throat. “Riah—”
“It’s not safe here,” he whispered in a rush. But his voice was soft, his face tender. This was the Riah I knew. The one I’d met in Salem that night who helped me find Olli…then the one I knew from the last few weeks.
The tunnel trembled. Light flashed to my right. I turned toward it just as the tunnel turned to make a sharp corner — and the Knights came rushing out toward us.
I cursed.
Riah gripped my arm. He was back in his golden armor. The tenderness in his face vanished as he turned back into Commander Zachariah again.
The Knights stopped short when they saw us.
Riah nodded and gave me a little shake. “I’ve got her. Escort the way to Prince Thorne.”
Without pausing or questioning, the Knights instantly turned and marched back in the direction they’d come from. I expected Riah to drag me along with them but we stayed frozen right where we stood.
And then Riah leaned down and whispered real quietly, “when I open the tunnel, jump. I’ll drop you somewhere safe, then meet you there...then I’ll explain everything.”
WHAT? What is happening right now? I had so many questions but there was no way in hell I was being escorted back to Prince Thorne. Then I’ll explain everything. I wanted that. I wanted it so bad. Because my heart wanted to believe he wasn’t bad, that I hadn’t misjudged him and got tricked. And that need scared me.
But I wasn’t going to get answers here…and I wasn’t going to find my way home either.
I glanced up to him and nodded.
He pulled me into a slow walk. We were silent for a few steps and then Riah shouted in alarm and dropped to his knees. He grabbed my hands and flicked my wrists, firing my golden magic into the backs of the Knights in front of us and half of them toppled over.
The tunnel opened up right beside me. Riah dropped my hands.
I dove through the opening without hesitation.
Chapter Fifteen
Saffie
I slammed into the ground with a hard thud. My bones made a sickening crunch and my breath was knocked out of me. For a moment, I just stayed there sprawled in the dirt while I caught my breath. The sky above me was dark but it carried the hint of blue, like sunrise was approaching. There was something oddly familiar about this view…as if I’d been in this exact spot before.
With a frown, I sat up — and gasped. I knew exactly where I was. The recognition was instant. I knew this open field I’d landed in. I knew the forest tree line off to my left. I knew the horses