A Vow So Bold and Deadly (The Cursebreaker Series Book 3)

If I were in the mood to think about mystical connections, I’d find it interesting that the Crooked Boar Inn seems to have become a place of solace and comfort when something goes wrong at Ironrose. But tonight, all I can think about is Rhen being torn apart while all his guards and soldiers are dead.

All I can think about is Zo, ripped right off the back of the horse while I galloped away. Or Dustan, his throat torn out right in front of me.

I press my fingers into my eyes and try not to sob while Evalyn, the innkeeper’s wife, stitches up the wound on my leg and wraps a poultice around my ankle.

“Here, my lady,” says Coale, the innkeeper, his voice a low rasp as he hands me a mug full of warm mead. My fingers are shaking, but I take it.

“The creature has returned?” says Evalyn, her voice hardly more than a whisper.

“I don’t—I don’t know what it was.” I wish Rhen were here. He’d know a way to spin this, to get his people to rally and fight Lilith.

But of course if Rhen were here, if he were fine and well, there’d be no one to fight.

I was right yesterday. I should have just told her to leave me in Washington, DC. I should have told her to take me there originally.

I can’t fight her. I can’t ask anyone else to fight her either.

And I know if I go back, she’ll just kill me. She’ll probably do it right in front of him.

Rhen has spent his life hating magic, but right this second, I wish I had a shred of it, because I’d—

My thoughts freeze. The world seems to tilt on its axis, just for a second.

I don’t have any supplies. I don’t even have any clothes aside from a cloak and my dressing gown. The only weapon I have is this priceless dagger that was worthless in my hands.

But I suddenly have a plan.

“Evalyn,” I whisper, and I almost shudder when I speak, because I have already asked so much of everyone in this room. “I don’t—I don’t have any silver, but I need your help.”

She exchanges a glance with Coale, and new tears well in my eyes. I don’t know what I can use to bargain. I don’t even know when I’ll get more silver.

But I’ve been poor before. I’ve been desperate before. Rhen teased me about asking for help—but I know what it’s like when no one is around to give it.

“If you can’t,” I say, breathing away the tears, “I understand. I know—I know times are hard for everyone—”

“My lady.” Evalyn puts her hands over mine and squeezes tight. I look up and meet her eyes. “You’ve done so much for us,” she says. “So has the prince. All we have is yours.”

“Tell us what you need,” says Coale, his deep voice rumbling. He strokes at his thick beard. “We are well stocked for winter.”

I swipe at my eyes. “I need clothes. And a map. And enough food for …” I do some quick calculations, trying to remember all the times Rhen talked about distance and travel time. I have no idea whether this will work, but I have no other options. “Four days. I think. Maybe five.”

Evalyn’s eyes widen. “My lady. Are you returning to Disi?”

“No.” My tears dry up as hope flares in my chest for the first time. “I’m going to find Grey.”