Page 30 of Once Written in Gilded Blood

I see them. Hundreds of them standing in the crowd.

Phantom-like figures that are the same from Mortem’s island before I was dragged into the water. Why am I still seeing them here? Tears spring to my eyes, and I take a rushed step away from Kalel before I can control myself. Fear racing through my bloodstream like liquid fire.

His eyes widen, and he dips down so he can see my face. “What’s wrong?”

I can’t look at him; my eyes are still trained on the phantoms. They appear so real, as if they are here now, except their faces are blurred. I know that I’m not hallucinating them. The laurel in my pocket feels heavier, calling out to me to finish the vision. I have to know what this means.

Kalel turns and looks where I’m staring off to.

“What is it? You’re worrying me, Alira.” He gently grabs my chin and brings my attention to him.

I try to blink the tears from my eyes, but they keep forming. He doesn’t see them. No one does. Behind Kalel in the crowd is the Krinsle, staring in the direction of the phantoms.

I want to confront him about it and ask if he sees them too, but Kalel stands and takes my hand to guide me away from the festival.

“Let’s get you some water,” he says with a worried tone. We walk to the far end of the booths nearest to a line of trees that separates the fields from the kingdom. Kalel goes to grab me a cup of water. I sit on a boulder and watch the others dance and laugh, forcing my eyes not to wander back to the phantoms. I’m sure they are still there at the other end.

“Thank you,” I murmur as I take the cup Kalel hands me. I slowly drink from it, not letting my attention drift back to the ghosts.

“Alira, I know Mortem must’ve frightened you yesterday… Honestly, I never expected to see the gates open myself.” Kalel runs his hand through his hair and sits beside me. “Is that what this is about? You can tell me.” He sets his hand on mine, and the warmth makes my heart flutter.

“I have an awful feeling about it, Kalel. The gates being open, the winter solstice… Please tell me what you’ve been keeping from me,” I ask and search his eyes desperately.

I just want the truth before I see it from the laurel. If he loves me as he says…he will tell me, won’t he?

He looks at me for a few moments that feel stretched into many. Misery emanates from his soul as he wrestles with his decision. “I…can’t yet.” His frown is broken, eyes hopeless.

“Wow.” I breathe out the word with hurt stinging my throat. For someone who has lied for far longer than anyone should have to, living through time loop after time loop, I’m surprised to find how much his lie sinks into me.

Shouting erupts from the festival, drawing our attention.

Groups of knights are spilling between tents—flashes of beige armor and red cloaks moving like a river winding around rocks. They seize anyone in a pink dress, turn them around, and look them over before moving on.

My blood chills.

Are they searching for me?

Kalel’s head whirls to look back at me, and he hesitates, fear flashing across his face. “We need to go, right now.” He rises, pulling me up quickly beside him as we rush toward his palace.

“Kalel, what’s happening?” I whisper-shout, glancing back again and watching the knights destroy the beautiful festival setup. They push over tents and search any place a girl might be able to hide.

His grip on my hand is tight as we run through bushes lining the hill. Twigs catch on my dress and tear at the lace. A few stray branches cut my face and arms, but I barely feel it. The adrenaline is rushing through me, making my head spin.

“Kalel!” I shout as we break out of the underbrush and stand at the base of his palace gardens. The moonlight above is barely peeking through the clouds, but I see him perfectly. The sweat that beads down his forehead and the way his pupils are blown wide.

“Alira, we don’t have time for this.” He grabs my hand again and tries to pull me along. I tear my hand out of his hold and give him an agonized look.

“Why are they looking for me?” I whisper, shaking my head and pleading with my eyes for him to answer.

He grits his teeth and sharply looks away, searching for any knights who may already be here before he looks at me and swallows hard, dipping his head.

“I think King Achill is going to put you in his dungeon.” He doesn’t meet my eyes as he says it.

What?

“Why would he—” I stop myself, mind racing with thoughts. “Is this because I followed the wisp? Kalel, why would that bring about such a harsh punishment? I haven’t done anything to harm anyone!” I take a step away from him. Has he known the entire evening? Is that why he was acting so remiss?

He can see the doubt and sorrow in my eyes; it reflects as much in his own.