Chapter 32

CHAPTER 32

S kirts hoisted up above my knees, I sprinted down the streets, hurdling over crates and puddles as I tore through the city. Each sharp breath stabbed at my side and shredded my lungs, but I forced myself on. The moment the guards closing in on the hut saw me flee, they had given chase.

“Dahlia!” Korth’s voice was the only noise powerful enough to cut through the whine of panic that enveloped my brain. He was outside an inn close to the docks, staring in shock as I ran in his direction.

“Korth!” Without thinking, I ran to him, panting and shaking from head to toe. “Help me.”

He stared at the oncoming guards, who were all shouting, “Stop that woman! She killed the king!”

“Did you do it?” He spoke low and urgently, eyes wide with concern.

I held his gaze, desperate for him to believe me despite all the lies I’d told in the past. “No.”

Korth threw one look at the oncoming guards, who were nearly upon us, then stared back at me. “Ask me for sanctuary,” he whispered. “Quickly.”

Too late.

Odette’s guards had caught up. Without a word, they wrenched me from Korth’s grasp. One dug his hands through my hair, pulling my head back so my neck was exposed while another kicked my knees from behind. I screamed in pain as my legs buckled and my shins collided with the cobblestone street.

“Stop!” In a moment, Korth had drawn his sword and pointed it at the guard holding my hair. “Release her this instant.” Behind him, all his guards mimicked him, crowding close and wielding their weapons, poised to strike at a moment’s notice.

“She assassinated His Majesty King Raquel of Ebora and she’s wanted for multiple treasonous acts against the crown.” The guard shook the fist clutching my hair and I felt several strands part company with my head.

“This woman already applied for asylum and was granted sanctuary by my kingdom. She is now under the protection of Haven Harbor.”

Eyes streaming from the pain, I looked up at Korth. He was lying. Honest, honorable Korth was lying to protect me.

“Let her go,” Korth continued, his voice strained. “I am the crown prince of Haven Harbor, and you will do as I say.”

“What’s all this? What’s all this?” Odette’s sycophantic voice cooed. She stepped into the flickering torchlight, eyes roving over the scene. Her upper lip curled as she addressed the guard.

“That’s the one. You know what to do.”

“No!” Korth stepped forward, lifting his sword higher.

“You can’t take her back,” Odette said smoothly. “She’s a criminal and will stand trial here.”

“She requested sanctuary and we are granting her asylum.”

“You would be harboring a fugitive from the law—the culprit who killed our king. Are you prepared to go to war over this one girl?”

Korth’s grip on his sword tightened. “I am. Are you prepared to wage war against all of Haven Harbor?”

Odette hesitated. All around, dark looks were exchanged between the guards on both sides. Behind Odette, Curdy sidled up to her, face set into an ugly expression. Father joined our side moments later, looking terrified to see me at the mercy of the guards. Neither Curdy nor Father looked injured, but both were windswept and looking as though they were prepared to start another skirmish.

“It seems you already have quite a rebellion on your hands,” Korth went on, his calm voice never wavering. “Can you afford another enemy?”

Odette glared at me.

“Your…Highness?” the guard asked Odette, still clutching at my hair. There was a knife in his boot. If I could just reach it in time, I might be able to cut off my hair and get to Korth before they killed me…

“Release her,” Odette spat. “She isn’t worth the trouble.”

The guard did as she said. I fell forward and Korth immediately bent to help me up.

“This isn’t over,” Father said, stepping to the front of our group and addressing Odette. “You know you can’t win.” He lifted his gaze to the opposing guards. “We will set up a new government. One in which your voice will be heard. But in order to do that, you need the courage to think for yourselves and not let her command you.”

The guards stayed where they were.

“You have to decide,” I urged them. “Now.”

“If you betray me, I’ll have you killed,” Odette shrieked at the men, holding them back.

“But if you join us, you can finally be free,” Father solemnly promised. “Freedom is something I am willing to fight to the death for.”

Grips tightened on sword hilts all around and the frenzy of the exchanged glances increased. A rumbling came from behind us as Ebora’s citizens—men and women with hollowed faces and sunken eyes—came to back us up, facing Odette and her soldiers.

“We will stand with you,” rasped one of the men, clutching his pitchfork.

“As will I,” added a woman brandishing a butcher’s knife. “I want my children to grow up in a free kingdom.”

“Me too.”

“And me!”

The citizens of Ebora began emerging from their homes, swelling our ranks. The hesitation on the faces of Odette’s guards soon gave way to shame, and one by one, they began dropping their sword points and moving away from Odette.

“No!” Odette looked frantically around for any last semblance of support and found only a dwindling number of supporters, who pulled her back, urging her to retreat.

“It’s time for us, the people, to have a stronger voice!” Father cried, and a rallying cheer responded. “For Ebora!”

“For Ebora!”

In a wave, the citizens rushed forward to grab Odette as the sun’s first rays of light broke up the night’s velvety darkness, finally prepared to seize control of their own fates and fight for what they believed in as we ushered in a new dawn in our kingdom.