Book 3: The Rest of My Life

Candace

I fold dresses into my trunk and listen to the commotion of the rest of the encampment breaking down outside. Kieran decided that letting King Andri cool off would yield the best results, so we’re leaving just as quickly as everybody else. This weird pocket of time with so many people in one place is dissolving as fast as it came together.

An icicle slithers under the wall of the tent with a piece of paper wrapped around it. My heart jumps into my throat. Hollis? Eva? I glance over my shoulder at Ingrid, but she’s off in her own world, humming to herself as she packs up our vanity.

I pretend to drop something, crouch, and unwind the paper. The icicle melts into water the second I do. My hands shake as I unfold the paper and smooth its crumpled edges, but there’s no reason. Only five words greet me.

The tower is still falling.

Hollis. Disappointment and relief twist in my gut. He really meant last night. He came because he wanted