When we finally returned to the castle, I was completely exhausted from all the walking. My robe was muddy, my hair wet, and the fairy's words still echoed in my head: "The Forgotten Castle."What was I supposed to do with that? Should I tell the others?
Before I could reach my room, Ash caught my hand."Aeryn. We need to talk."His voice sounded unusually serious, almost worried.
"Come in. Let's not talk here."I had never invited a man into my chambers before. A wave of nervousness ran through me as I sat down on the edge of the bed. He sat beside me; our knees nearly touched.
I told him everything—about the melody, the queen, the vision. Every strange detail. Somehow, he felt like the only person I could trust.
"I don't think we should tell the king," he said quietly.
I wanted to protest, but the thought hit me—Thalion probably wouldn't believe us. He would dismiss the whole thing as a foolish fantasy. He never liked Ash anyway; the only reason he was still allowed to stay was because Lia and I insisted on it.
"You might be right," I admitted. "Let's keep it between us for now. As for the autumn festival—"
"Forget about it," he interrupted with a smirk. "I'm just glad to know you're not some spoiled princess."
I couldn't help but smile. "Don't look at me like that. You'll make me think you've actually started to like me."
"You wish, princess." His grin widened. "Now get some rest. Something tells me we'll need our strength tomorrow."
He rose to his feet and left, that teasing smile still lingering on his lips.I sighed. Maybe it really was time to rest. The day had been far too much already.
The next morning, a knock at the door woke me. When I opened it, Igni was standing there.
"The king wants to see you," she said.
"Why did he send you?" I asked, raising a brow.
"Maybe he thought it would be better if someone familiar came for you—rather than a guard."
Why would Thalion care about that? I didn't understand, but I nodded."All right. Give me a moment."
I changed quickly, trading my nightgown for a long, flowing orange dress made of silk, its hem embroidered with delicate elven patterns. Then I hurried into the hallway, and together we made our way toward the throne room.
It occurred to me this was the first time I had ever been alone with Igni.
"So… is there something between you and Ash?"Damn it, Aeryn. Why did I say that out loud?
I expected her to stay silent, but instead she answered flatly,"No. There never was."
Her expression was unreadable, as always.
"But you've known each other a long time, haven't you?"
"Since we were children," she replied. "I don't know how much Ash has told you about his past, but it wasn't easy—for him or for me. Maybe that's what bonded us. We're more like siblings than anything else."
"You were part of that band of thieves too?"
"I was. They were my family. I was born into it. Stealing was just… life."
I had always thought thieves were liars, cheats, the lowest of the low. But maybe I'd been wrong. They had to survive somehow—unlike my family, who always had food waiting on the table.
"Thank you for telling me," I said softly.
"Don't thank me. It's hardly a secret."
We walked in silence after that, words failing both of us. Only understanding remained.
When we entered the throne room, Thalion, Lavern, Ash, and Eliondar were already there.Thalion's gaze burned with anger, while Lavern's eyes were full of concern.
"Would you care to explain," Thalion said sharply, "why you and Ash were outside the royal grounds? You could have been hurt!"
"I know. But I wasn't," I answered, glancing at Ash. He gave a subtle nod, letting me know I could tell the truth. There was no point in hiding it anymore.
So we told them everything—the fairy, the vision, all of it.
"Aeryn," Thalion said after a pause, "that's impossible. You must have imagined it. Perhaps you hit your head in the forest. You can't go near that castle—it's beyond our lands, too dangerous."
He didn't believe me. The disappointment hit like a stone in my chest.
"Don't tell her what she can or can't do," Ash cut in, his tone sharp.
Thalion's eyes narrowed. "A thief like you has no place speaking about the affairs of kingdoms."
The tension snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and ran.
Outside, in the royal garden, I collapsed beneath the great tree. After a few minutes, Lavern appeared beside me.
"Are you all right?" she asked gently. "Don't let them get to you. They both think they're right."
She had always comforted me like this—even as a child, when I fell from trees and scraped my knees.
"They both expect me to obey," I murmured.
But I knew what my heart was telling me: I had to go to the castle. Maybe that was where I'd find the crown.
"Lavern, I need to ask you for something." My throat tightened. "Please look after Lia while I'm gone."
She sighed, eyes soft. "I knew you'd ask that. And I will. But please, be careful."
"I will," I said, though neither of us believed it entirely.
That afternoon, I began preparing for the escape. Everything I might need was already packed in a small leather satchel. All I had to do now was wait for nightfall. Lavern promised she would cover for me for as long as she could.
But then I heard the floorboards creak—the door slowly opened.Igni stepped inside, followed by Ash.
"What are you two doing here?" I demanded.
"Did you really think we'd let you go alone?" Igni crossed her arms. "You'd be walking into a death trap."
Of course. Lavern had told them. She didn't want me to face it on my own.
"Just so you know," I warned, "this will be dangerous."
Ash met my eyes, that familiar half-smile tugging at his lips."Our whole lives have been dangerous, Aeryn," he said quietly. "What's new about that?"