softly. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.”
“Tarek… he’s not who you think. Not even close. He’s not even what you think. Whether tonight is a failure or not, afterwards, let me go, OK? I want to go. I need to.”
“What are you talking about?” Soran searched my face for answers.
“I have a Plan B,” I whispered, the knowledge making my heart ache. “And you’ll need to let go of me. All of you will. Even Kellin. Especially Kellin. Get him to marry a nice girl, maybe that Cyrena?”
“Ana,” Soran warned, his eyes sweeping my face quickly. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not able to marry Kellin. I-I am promised to another. You know how the laws of Winterset work. I’m doing this for all of us. The pain will be great, but it is not a betrayal. It’s me protecting you. Let me go. Let this war go until the time is right. Don’t seek me out. Don’t go after Zaros or the Mortae. I’ll take care of them. It’s my destiny, not yours, not Kellin’s. Mine.”
“You’re scaring me, Ana,” Soran said softly. “Whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t do it. We can figure this out.”
I sighed. “We can’t, and that’s the problem. I can’t be worried about you and still do what needs to be done. As long as I’m linked to any of you, I run the risk of you all becoming harmed. Once they see my choice, especially this choice, they’ll come looking for me, and then you’ll have your chance. Take it. You’ll know when that moment is.” I knew they would never get on board with me running with Tarek or being on my own. They longed to protect me. But it was my duty to protect them.
“Prince Soran, your father needs you on the grounds,” a soldier interrupted us.
Soran stared hard at me, a muscle working in his jaw as he nodded to the soldier.
“Ana, I’m going to trust you. I’ll do all that I can and will wait for your word when the time comes.”
“Thank you, Soran.” I breathed out a sigh of relief. “And keep Kellin safe. Rowan too.”
“I will,” he nodded solemnly. “I love you, Analia.”
“I love you, too, Soran.” I hugged him, tears burning my eyes.
He rushed from the room, and I followed him out at a slower pace.
Kellin met me outside the palace. “Don’t do anything crazy, Ana,” he said, his hands fisting in frustration. “I know you’re up to something. I don’t like it.”
“Kellin…” I licked my lips. “I love you. I’ve loved you for a long time, even before Calix. It was a different kind of love, but still love just the same. I care for you now. So much so, that I wish for you to let me go. After tonight, let me go. For your own good.”
“Don’t talk like that,” he scolded. “I love you too. We’re going to be fine. You and I, together. I-I don’t care about what you said earlier, Ana—”
“I’m not coming back after tonight. Understand that. We can’t be together. The situation doesn’t allow for it. It never has. I’m sorry.”
“Ana?” He frowned at me. “What are you saying? Are… are you serious? If it’s the issue with Cyrena, I admit I’m a screw up, but please, Ana, don’t. Just… don’t, OK?”
“I’m saying goodbye, Kellin. I’m sorry.” I had to be firm as much as it hurt.
“I won’t let you.” His Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he stared at me, despair on his face. “I’m going to keep fighting for you. I always will.”
I nodded. “If this were a different world, you and I would’ve ruled it.”
A sad smile tipped his lips up, a sheen of tears in his eyes. “Someday, Ana.”
Leaning in, I pressed a kiss to his cheek, my throat aching from the force of holding back my tears. “Goodbye, Prince.”
Chapter 60
The sounds of the thundering hooves blanketed the night. The Mortae was fast approaching the city of Wells on the outskirts of the realm. Kellin had portaled Bornian and Dar’ish armies through the tear he created. It had weakened him considerably, but judging by the determination in his blue eyes, it wouldn’t slow him down. Thousands of people from the city of Wells would be threatened tonight. And if the black army breached the city, more would fall. Many of the townspeople had already fled to the safety of the palace walls through Kellin’s portal, others remained stoic in their homes, armed with whatever they find to