May Shadows Reign (Book 2 of The Lost Queen Series)

Chapter Sixteen

"What do you mean, you're leaving?" Sterling demanded, hands on her hips. "I thought you wanted to go to Daralis too. What about finding Papa?"

Seraiah shifted uncomfortably, twining a loose piece of her brown hair around her finger.

"Are you giving up on him?"

Seraiah dropped her hand. "No! Of course not. Don't you see? I'm doing this to help the search and to help you."

"How is it helping me?" She folded her arms over her chest. "It's sounds more like abandoning me."

Seraiah paled.

Sterling knew it was the worst thing she could have said, but she didn't appreciate that they'd let her sleep and planned this all out without her. Again.

She was supposed to be a queen and yet everyone kept making decisions about her life without including her.

Ssseee. You don't need them. They mean to take what belongsss to you.

Sterling frowned. No, they weren't taking anything from her. They meant well.

Do they? Then why do they leave you out?

"I'm not. I would never," Seraiah protested. "I'm trying to get allies for you. I want to protect you."

We will protect you, the voices whispered. You don't need her.

If the voices were right, then Sterling supposed it didn't matter if Seraiah left.

But it still stung.

She sighed. "Fine. Get me allies. Meanwhile, I will find my friend and maybe Papa too."

Seraiah's shoulders sagged. "I hope—"

"And then I'll tell him how you abandoned me—abandoned us because you wanted to talk to dragons instead."

"You ready?" Kestrel asked, coming up behind Seraiah. She was leading both of their horses, already saddled.

Kestrel and Kai had left Seraiah to tell her about the change of plans on her own. Cowards, Sterling thought. They must have known she wouldn't be happy about it.

"Sterling?"

"What? Go on. If you want to go, then by all means go."

Seraiah hesitated another moment before turning away and taking the reins from Kestrel. "I'll see you soon enough," she said as she swung into the saddle like she'd been doing it her whole life. "Then we can take back your city. I love you."

Sterling stared at her, not saying a word.

The two of them turned their horses, riding off to the west and leaving her with her brother.

"I love you too," Sterling murmured as she watched them get farther and farther away.

"We should get going," Kai said. "We've still got about two and a half days if we make good time. Once we reach the city, we can get you your own horse."

"Assuming it's not abandoned like the other cities," Sterling mumbled. She bent to roll up her bedroll. It was the only thing left that hadn't already been packed. "How long did you know my sister wasn't going with us to Daralis?" she asked. "Or did you always know?"

Kai took the bedroll from her and secured it to his horse. "She told me last night. I don't like splitting up any better than you do, but we both know there is no stopping Seraiah when she puts her mind to something."

"I suppose."

Kai gave her a hand to get on the horse and then they were off. When Sterling looked to the west again, Kestrel and Seraiah were nothing but two specks on the horizon.