Page 112 of Cursed Crowns
“Sorry I missed the dance party,” said Wren dryly. “I had a little problem with an undead prince.”
Celeste blew a curl out of her eyes. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
“Did you fall into a vat of frostfizz on the way?”
“Oh, stop it. Anika drank most of it.” Celeste blinked, noticing the wolf sitting at Wren’s side. “Is thatElske?”
“Yes,” said Wren. “It’s a long story.”
“Is Rose all right?”
“She’s fine. But Elske belongs here with her master,” said Wren. “Like I said, it’s a long story.”
With great effort, Celeste shook off her curiosity. “Right. Back to why I’m here.”
“To dance with Anika?”
“You know why, Wren. You’re in grave danger.”
Wren rolled her eyes. “Well, obviously.”
“It’s that dream I told you about,” Celeste went on, her dark eyes widening. “It wasn’t just a dream, Wren. The other night, I studied the starcrests. They came to me and painted the same vision in the sky,only it was clearer. It felt closer, somehow. I saw you trapped in a wall of ice. You were dead, Wren.Frozen. Your heart wasn’t beating anymore.”
Wren tried to swallow the knot of fear in her throat, but it strangled her words. “Any other dire information I should know?”
“Yes, actually. Barron and his Arrows have advanced their foothold in Eana. Their skirmish with the royal tour down in Ellendale has clearly emboldened them. Thea has sent word that they’re trying to raise an army to march on Anadawn. Which means we need to go home. Now.”
Wren balked, a new panic rising inside her. But it did nothing to change the present circumstances. “Open your eyes, Celeste. Look at what’s right in front of you, and not just in the stars. Ican’tgo home. After what I did to Prince Ansel, Alarik isn’t going to let me waltz out of here. He’ll kill me for even trying.”
“CELESTE!” Anika shrieked. “WHERE IN FREEZING HELL HAVE YOU GONE?”
Wren stepped away from Celeste. “Butyoucan go home. And you should. Rose needs you.”
“She needs both of us!” Celeste grabbed Wren’s shoulders and pulled her back, until they were nose to nose. “Listen to me. Marino’s ship will be back at port in two days’ time. Steal a horse. Sneak out in a barrel of fish if you have to. But just meet me there. He sails at noon.”
“But Banba—”
“Banba would want this for you, Wren.” Celeste narrowed her eyes, reading the truth in Wren’s. “But you already know that, don’t you?”
“CELESTE! I’M STUCK UNDER THE TABLE!” Anika’s cackling echoed down the hall.
“I’M COMING!” Celeste shouted.
“Celeste, even if I was willing to leave Banba, getting out of here is not going to be as easy as getting in.”
“Maybe so.” Celeste looked meaningfully at Elske. “But you and I both know there’s someone here who can help you escape. Why don’t you ask him?”
That night, after Elske returned to her master, the blizzard rocked Wren to sleep. She woke up on a mountain, the snow reaching her knees as she trekked across its jagged spine. That ancient voice came again, soaring on the wings of a nighthawk.Welcome to the darkness, little bird. You need not fear it.
The clouds shifted overhead. A shard of moonlight slipped through, illuminating a figure walking in front of Wren. She had long dark hair and pale skin, and wore a crimson cloak lined in white fur.
“Who are you?” Wren called out.
The young woman’s laugh echoed through the mountains. She turned, skewering Wren with her emerald gaze.The question is, who areyou?
“Wait. Are you some kind of vision?” Wren quickened her steps, only to stumble. “Are you... me?”
The woman smiled with Wren’s teeth.I am the darkness that lives inside you.