I open my sticky eyes to the tower’s ceiling and push myself upright, elbows sinking into the feather pillow, breath short. I’ve never felt like this before. I press a hand to my cool forehead. No fever.
So why do I feel so strange?
I rest a hand on the white shirt and feel my soul pulsing. I still feel like myself—and yet something is missing. My stomach tightens. I breathe in, breathe out, but the knot doesn’t loosen. The orange morning light warms the bare walls. My legs drop heavily onto the wooden floor.
Maybe Elena will have an answer for me.
After all, she created me…
I wish this moment could last a little longer.
I sigh.
Come on, Mina.
I stand.
I put on the white shirt, tuck it into the long trousers, lace my leather boots. I rinse myself in the basin and dry my face with a cloth. My gray eyes meet their reflection in the mirror. They’re glossy, and my skin is paler than usual. I run my hands through my gray hair. Always the same.
A frantic trot grows louder along the outer stairs.
My muscles tense.
Enemies? How did they get in?!
I step back. Open the chest. Draw my sword.
The door bursts open.
Two wide blue eyes appear in the doorway.
I breathe again.
It’s just Serena.
?Mina!? She’s out of breath, golden hair slipping loose from its tie.
?Queen Elena is gone!?
A fist forms in my stomach.
I stand frozen, swallow the lump in my throat.
?What do you mean??
Gaia appears beside her, still wearing her travel cloak, dark circles under her bronze skin.
?I went to find her to give my report. She’s nowhere.?
What?!
She can’t disappear with a war underway.
I close my eyes. The silence dulls the voices in my ears. The voice of my own soul echoes.
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?Elena. Where are you??
The silence stretches.
A whistling reaches my ears.
That sound… it tastes like emptiness.
I open my eyes to my companions, waiting. My chest is a stone.
?I can’t feel her anymore,? I murmur.
What the hell was she thinking?!
I push past them and race down the tower stairs two at a time.
Why did she cut the connection?
I enter the corridor of the royal chambers and throw myself through the open door.
Cold wind pours in through the window. The shutters are wide open—but the sill is empty. Just last night, I saw her there, leaning against it, silk shirt stirred by the morning breeze.
A knot tightens in my throat.
A faint voice reaches me.
?Everything’s in order. It doesn’t look like she was kidnapped.?
My eyes drift over the neatly made bed, the velvet curtains, her book on the desk—still open, the ribbon marking the page.
Why did she do this?
My eyes burn.
My footsteps thunder on the wood as I fling open the wardrobe doors. Her clothes, all perfectly arranged. She didn’t take anything with her.
Did I do something wrong?
I move to the window. Rest my arms on the sill, red with dawn.
Beyond the walls, packed with soldiers, a black column marches out of the pines.
There they are again.
Elena has abandoned us to our fate.
I clench the sleeves of my shirt.
?Mina.?
Gaia’s hand grips my shoulder.
?I’m sorry I didn’t realize sooner.?
I already know what she’s about to say.
And I don’t like it.
I place my hand over hers.
?I know it’s not… not your role, but we need someone to take her place. Now.?
The wheels of the siege towers carve through the grass behind the infantry.
My chest pounds.
Me?
I’m the worst possible person to give a responsibility like that.
?I can’t.?
Gaia’s hand falls away.
?No one is allowed to step outside their role. And if I tried to replace her…?
…Elena could erase me.
Nausea rises.
Gaia steps up beside me.
?This is just about giving the people a point of reference. And right now, that point ran away with its tail between its legs.?
My body turns to marble.
The enemy army forms ranks before the brick walls of the city. An improvised battering ram emerges from the forest.
I close my eyes. The murmur of the army fades. That whistle again.
?Elena. You can’t abandon me like this. Not after an eternity in your service.?
Silence.
I open my eyes. My stomach churns.
And you can’t expect me to let all of this die for you.
I turn toward them.
Serena looks at me with lowered eyes, arms folded tight against her chest.
?I’m sure that… if we explain the situation, she’ll forgive you.?
Her gentle voice calms me.
I hope so. I really do.
A trumpet shakes the air. I grip the window ledge.
?You have many flaws,? Gaia says, fists clenched, ?but we need strength. Your strength.?
I understand them.
I sigh and lean out the window again. The enemy positions the ram before the main gate. The guards are in place.
I shake my head and close my eyes once more. The battle cries dull.
?Listen to me. You created me to protect this kingdom. And if the only way I can do that is by fighting you—then I will. I’ll bring you back at any cost.?
I take a breath.
?I’ll do everything I can. But at the first truce, we find her. And we convince her to come back.?
And hope she spares us.
The ram is pulled back. Wood creaks.
Then a blow like thunder.