Page 17 of Dawn of Hope

Perfect.

I crush the powder, rubbing it between my hands and then wipe it over the surface of my braid. It isn’t a drastic difference, but it is enough that I may get past anyone without a second glance.

I scan myself again in the mirror quickly.

It’ll have to do.

I don’t usually have training with Brynne scheduled for today, so it isn’t abnormal for me to spend the afternoon in my quarters, reading or studying my lessons.

No one should miss me. This entire plan hangs on that, and I don’t have time to waste.

I pull the dark cloak over my shoulders and clip the clasp across my chest, leaving the hood down so I don’t draw attention or look like I’m hiding. I just need to keep my head down and walk with a purpose.

Ready or not.

I pull my door open slightly, stopping to listen for any footsteps or voices. When silence is all that greets me, I slide out of the door andpull it closed silently behind me. I glance down the hallway in both directions. Still no one to be seen.

I turn away from the main staircase, hoping the smaller one at the end of the hall will keep me from running into anyone. I push the doors at the bottom open and walk toward the kitchens, where a ruckus of pots, pans, and voices rise all around me.

Shit.

It’s going to be impossible to slip past all these people without someone noticing me.

I pull up the hood, sucking in a deep breath and holding it as I drop my head and stride purposefully toward the delivery door in the back.

No one pays me any mind.

There is no halt in the conversation, no sign that anyone had even noticed me.

Has it really been this easy the entire time?

Have I really spent years of my life feeling like I could never leave this castle, simply because my father commanded it, but all it took was actually just walking out?

I will not test my luck.

I push open the door and step out into the frigid air. Shutting it quickly behind me, I pull the hood lower over my brow. I glance over my shoulder, eyeing the guards stationed at the gate in the castle wall. Since I never leave, I don’t see the guards stationed here often. I say a quick prayer that they don’t train at the same time as Brynne and I do before I turn to face them and start making my way toward the gate.

My heart pounds harder with every step I take, my palms sweating so much that I slyly rub them on the sides of my skirt under the cloak.

Please don’t notice me.

“Evening, miss,” the closest guard says as I stop in front of him. I drop into a quick curtsey, keeping my eyes on the floor in front of me.

“Good evening, sir,” I say, trying hard to keep my voice low and steady. This is the closest I have ever been to the outside world. I can’tfail now. I can only imagine my father’s reaction if any of the guards recognize me and drag me back to face his punishment.

The lock clicks and the hinges squeal as one of the other guards swings the gate open.

“It’ll be dark soon. Send word if you need one of us to accompany you on your return.”

“Thank you, sir. I will be sure to do that.”

I definitely won’t be doing that, but as the future queen, it is nice to know the guards care for the well-being of all the staff. I give him another small curtsey before striding through the gate, acting as if I do this every day.

Not a big deal. This is normal.

It’s not as though my insides are screaming at me, and my brain is trying to process every single detail to make sure I don’t give myself away.

The moment I step through the gate, an immense weight is lifted off my shoulders.