A Queen's Sacrifice (Book #5)

Chapter Two

Despite spending the past year with Elouise and Henry, Haven had never expected to be on the side of royalty. She was supposed to hate royalty—a rule engraved into her mind. She couldn't remember how young she was when she was told this. It was one of the few things taught to her by the woman she assumed was her mother. She was supposed to be on the fighting side—the side that would win and earn everything they'd always deserved.

Instead, here she was—running alongside the Queen of Aristol and... the Prince of Occidentis Caelum, who was currently struggling to keep up with them, still dizzy from the powder's effects.

Elouise ducked behind a few overgrown shrubs and signaled for them to hurry and follow. Haven kneeled beside her and peered over, spotting the group of guards hovering nearby. Henry joined them a moment later, panting.

"Goddesses, the two of you are quick—"

"Shh." Haven raised her forefinger to her lips. Then she nodded toward the men.

Henry paled and took a deep breath.

"I would like to believe they would be elated to see me," Elouise said. "However, that is not a risk I am willing to take right now."

"Clever girl," Haven commended. "You can never let your—"

"Eldon."

Haven blinked. "Huh?"

"He is here. We were right behind him the whole time."

"He must've gotten lost." Haven snorted. "He didn't think his plan entirely through. I thought I taught him better than that." She peeked over the shrubs again and listened carefully.

The guards whirled around, gaping at Eldon. They questioned his presence, questioned whether this was a trap, and—most importantly—if he was alone.

"I ain't got time for this," Eldon scolded. "I gotta get to the castle or else I ain't gonna be alone."

The guards flinched and glanced around, clutching their spears tighter.

Haven rolled her eyes. "When you get your crown back, I beg of you to get better soldiers, Elouise."

"I do not recognize these men," Elouise said. She puckered her lips thoughtfully and hummed.

Haven stared at the men a little harder and raised her eyebrows. "Of course you wouldn't. Those aren't your guards. Those are definitely two men from the Outlands who were thrown into this position. Probably by force to feel useful to Udolf."

"I didn't expect Interlopers to be cowardly," Henry murmured.

"Oh, you would be surprised at how little courage they all have. They're fueled by anger. And with Elouise out of the picture, what do they have to be angry about now?"

Elouise glowered at them and shook her head. "They are heading for the castle. We must keep going, too."

Haven watched the men lead Eldon down the path that would take them right to the town entrance. She nodded at Elouise then turned to Henry. Henry sighed and averted his eyes.

"I suppose this is where you leave us here alone," Ashton said, appearing in front of them.

Haven smirked up at him. "Right you are."

They stood and moved around the shrubs. Henry spread out his arms, glancing back and forth between Haven and Elouise.

"Are you certain you do not want us to join?" he asked.

Haven looked away. "No, Hank. We will be just fine. Like I said, it's best if Godwin doesn't sense his long-lost brother." She turned to Elouise. "We'll be sneaking in from the back of the castle, right behind the ash tree." Then she winked at Ashton.

Ashton narrowed his eyes. "Be careful. You may think that area is safe to enter from, but they're likely covering every inch of the grounds."

"Yes, I don't doubt they're prepared for Elouise's return and the possibility of her trying to do this," Henry added.

"The two of you really have such little faith in me."

"It's not that, Haven—"

"Save your breath, Hank. I have a solution to your worries. Everyone knows the only magical ability that can't be replicated is healing. Every other angel's ability can be." Haven smiled as they all stared blankly at her. She gave them a moment, but their expressions never wavered.

"C'mon! Aside from the being the Almighty, Godwin is first and foremost, the Angel of Invisibility."

Elouise's eyes brightened. "You can turn us invisible?"

"None of us have ever tried it out of respect for... our Almighty's power. But it's possible. I just don't think it'll last long, so we'll need to be quick about it." Haven gestured to Henry to hand her the leather satchel. He obliged, and she thanked him as she searched for her journal. She dropped the satchel when she found the spell to enact the ability, and then she turned the journal for Elouise to see. "I even noted it to myself to only use it for real emergencies."

"Quite loyal you were," Ashton said.

Haven squinted at him. "I'm not regretful, you know? What I learned did benefit me."

"What drew you to them in the first place?"

She felt a tug inside her chest, and she swallowed hard as if that would make the feeling go away. She must've been asked that various times in her life. Each time, she'd only laugh and say, "Magic, of course. Power. What else would anyone want?"

Those words wouldn't leave her mouth this time, though.

"We can discuss this another time," Elouise intervened.

Haven exhaled in relief and grinned. "Right. We've got work to do." She looked down at the spell. "We'll make our way to the back of the castle like I said, and I'll use the spell then. So, we won't have to be that cautious about climbing inside. Be aware, though, Elouise, I don't think we'll be able to see each other either. Everyone will still be able to hear our voices, too."

"Oh, perfect," Henry groaned. "You cannot even use your own voices to help seek each other out."

Elouise bent down and searched through Haven's satchel. When she rose again, she held up Haven's old purple rag. Haven felt her blood go cold. She'd forgotten that was in there, too.

"Why do you still have that?" Henry questioned, stepping forward.

"It does not matter right now," Elouise answered. "If we can make this invisible as well, we shall tie our wrists together to keep close."

Haven lowered her shoulders and nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem. Magic can work on anything. Clever thinking on your part."

"Then let us be on our way. We will not take any of our weapons. I do not want to risk making a sound or needing more magic to hide them as well." Elouise side-eyed Henry. "Should you see anyone or sense any trouble, seek cover immediately."

Henry pointed to his bow. "I will. I'm prepared for anything, El."

"Just so we are clear," Ashton stepped in, "if you are not back before sunset, I will be calling upon the wolves to attack the castle."

Elouise sighed. "I am certain we will be back before that. However, if it helps you stay calm, fine." She turned away and started walking.

Haven removed her hat from her head and set it on top of her satchel. She nodded to Henry then Ashton. "Well, until then—"

"Haven, please, do not put yourselves into any danger," Henry urged. Despite his tone, his eyes were soft. She sometimes wondered if he did that on purpose—looking so innocent and lost. She hated it.

No, actually, she didn't. Not one bit. That was the real issue.

Haven blinked slowly and mustered a chuckle. "I'd love to promise you that, Hank, but if we're being honest, we already have."