Book 2: Excitement

Estrella

Dried blood itches under my fingernails. A few sticks scratch the back of my neck where they’re caught in my hair from sleeping under the moon. I cling to Anwen’s hand as he leads us through a series of underground tunnels back into the castle.

I’ve never been in a fight like that before. Never looked in the eyes of someone trying to take my life. I haven’t stopped shaking yet.

“King Andri had one of his courtiers spread the rumor that we left to carry out some secret Sundrop tradition,” he says.

Mother nods. “We will demur if asked.”

A vision of her tearing the would-be assassin’s throat out flashes through my mind.

I take a deep breath. In the forest, with the Goddess’s voice whispering in my ear, I understood. There is no justice in death. Only peace of mind, if you can forget the smell of the blood you’ve spilled. But I will not judge Mother for doing what she needed to do.

Anwen pushes open a door I can barely