Kellan frowns, his lilac eyes cast down. “Yes. That about sums it up.”

“What if they kill me the moment I arrive? What if they drop me in the forest and let the Drained have me as revenge?” It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him what exactly I’m heading into—a marriage to an unkillable husband—but something stops me. Some nagging voice in the back of my mind urges me to hold on to my secrets, not out of some misplaced loyalty to Henry so much as a desire to keep hold of valuable information as a form of currency. Kellan has proven once again how often my family does this to me. I should learn the lesson they keep teaching me.

The weight of our history is mine alone to bear. My father has slighted the Havenwoods, and it cost them an heir. Perhaps my parents don’t know that the Havenwood heir died. Maybe they assume that Henry always was the heir, or they suspect that the Havenwoods have other children.

Even so, my parents are comfortable sending me into hostile territory, knowing that the Havenwoods might be using me to get their revenge.

I meet my brother’s worried gaze. Kellan is so rational and steady. If he says there’s reason to be concerned, he must have evidence to believe that’s the case, but there’s nothing I can do now but be careful.

He nods at Gaven. “I’ve informed Gaven, but two of you are no match for an entire fort of them. If things get bad, I’ve shared everything I know about the fort with Gaven. He’ll share it with you when he has a chance, but you should also try to find out more from Henry. Be smart and do what you must to survive.”

Kellan kisses my cheek and pulls away. He takes one last look at me before turning away and striding back toward North Hold.

I watch him go as Gaven steps up beside me. “I’ve guarded you since you were an infant, Harlow, and I haven’t let anyone touch a hair on your head.”

I glare at him. “I think we both know that’s not true.”

He looks away. “I have not let anyone else touch a hair on your head, and I don’t intend to start now, but you have to be wise and hold that sharp tongue of yours. We will be surrounded by enemies, and if you want to do what you set out to do, you must be patient.”

I wave a hand, more because I’m annoyed than because I sense Henry’s approach by his looming aura.

He offers his arm to guide me to a horse, and I take it.

“Does he have a blessing?” Henry asks, glancing at Gaven.

My bodyguard has already mounted his horse and is sitting tall, waiting to depart.

“That’s an awfully personal question,” I say.

“It’s a necessary one, I’m afraid. I’m bringing him into my home,” Henry says.

I frown. “No, he doesn’t.”

Henry’s lips twitch. “It’s a comfort to know you’re such a terrible liar, lovely.”

I can’t tell if he knows I’m lying for real or if he’s bluffing to get me to confess.

I open my mouth to argue until I realize he’s led me to his enormous gelding.

Henry looks me over with a scowl on his face. “You aren’t dressed warmly enough.”

“These are the warmest clothes I have.” My riding pants are shearling-lined, and aside from the layered undershirt and two sweaters, my cloak is made of heavy plum-colored wool and lined with fur. I could barely make it out of the house before I was sweating. “If I add any more layers, I won’t be able to ride.”

He laughs as if I’m joking and pats the midnight-black horse. “You’re not riding.”

I cross my arms. “Then how do you suppose I’ll get there?”

He shakes his head. “I meant you’re not riding alone. You’ll be riding with me. You’re not a strong enough rider to be on your own. Not when you’ve never left the city walls.”

I stare at him with as much contempt as I can manage.

“The terrain is dangerous and unpredictable, Harlow. I’m sure you’re an excellent rider, but riding for sport inside the safety of these walls is different than riding for your life from a horde of Drained. I have a responsibility to keep you safe.”

I’m mad at myself for leaving. I’m furious at myself for staying this long. Most of all, I’m angry at myself for being so afraid to run away when I’ve spent my life wishing for the chance. I want to fight. I want to hurt someone. I want to turn my pain into someone else’s.

“Trust me, lovely,” Henry says, his tone unforgivably placating. “I’m not thrilled about it either, but it’s the only way to do this safely. More than just your well-being depends on it.”

I glance toward the gates, and Henry takes a step closer. His hand comes to my hip, his mouth hovering next to my ear. “I know you look out there and see freedom. You think that it’s daylight and nothing can get to you—but a mile into the forest, the canopy is thick and we will have to ride very hard. You may not want to hear it, but I won’t put your ego over your safety.”

I blow out a resigned breath.

He slaps a hand on my ass. “Now get on the fucking horse, like a good little wife.”

I want to slap him back, but his antics have caught everyone’s attention, and Kellan’s warning is fresh in my mind.

Bryce winks at me from atop his mount. Carter is grinning beside him on a giant black gelding.

Henry boosts me onto his gelding and climbs up behind me.

The leather creaks below me as I try to shift away from him, but he wraps a hand around my waist and pulls me back against his body.

“It’ll be an easier ride if you just relax,” he says, his breath ghosting over my ear. “Besides, the last time you were pressed against me, you seemed to like it just fine.”

“Asshole,” I grumble.

He chuckles as he raises a hand to signal the gatekeeper.

The gears grind and the large metal gate swings outward. The second they’re open, Carter and Bryce lead the group into the wild.

For most of my life, I have seen the Drained Wood through windows, in misty glimpses from the top of the wall, or through the slats of the gates that lead to the outside world. Now I’m going to venture into it.

The moment I cross over the threshold into the rest of the world feels like the first moment I’ve ever drawn a full breath. The scent of moss and damp, leafy pulp mixed with fresh pines mingles into a welcoming aroma.

I don’t understand what’s happening to me. I draw in gasping breaths. My chest has unclenched for what feels like the first time in my life, and my eyes burn with tears.

I was not expecting such a visceral reaction. I squeeze my eyes closed, praying to the Divine that Henry won’t notice.

“Take it easy, lovely. You’ll be back soon,” he murmurs, his voice low so that no one else will hear.

I try to master myself, but the dam has burst and humiliating tears stream down my face. I draw in another deep breath, and it’s as if the air is moving everything that’s been trapped in my body out all at once.

“I’m not upset,” I manage.

“Could have fooled me,” he says, slowing our horse and handing me a handkerchief.

“I’m not upset about leaving,” I say.

I don’t know how to express what I am. It feels something like relief. Like I’m finally out of my family’s control, even if I’m still doing their bidding.

“We can go faster now. I’m fine,” I whisper, conscious of the people riding with us and the Drained that could be lurking somewhere within the hollows of the forest.

I have no intention of telling Henry how trapped I’ve felt or that this mission is the most freedom I’ve ever been granted. I’ve lived a lifetime under the weight of my family’s expectations—and the fear of not meeting them—and for the first time, they won’t have an easy way to keep tabs on me for weeks.

“We’ll go a little faster now and then slow down once we’re farther from the gates,” Henry says softly. “I’m sorry you’re upset.”

“I’m not upset. I think I’m relieved.” The admission slips out.

Henry’s body tenses behind me for a moment, the horse slowing a bit more as if sensing his surprise, but then he relaxes and we speed up again.