Rise of a Fallen Man (A Look in the Mirror #2)

Chapter 27

Salas

L eaving the city, I didn’t look back. This place had given me the only woman I’d ever loved. But it took it away from me way too soon. Happiness teased like a flash of sunshine before it disappeared, leaving nothing but cold solitude.

Once again, I walked alone on a deserted road, heading into the unknown. Only this time, the future didn’t look as bleak.

I had a letter of reference from the games master of the royal gladiators tucked in my pocket. The letter would open many doors for me, anywhere in the country. My shameful past seemed that much further behind me, hopefully no longer able to catch up with me.

The work at the forge I’d done for the gladiators had improved my skills. There were blacksmiths who needed helpers in every part of the country. With Lerrel’s reference, I didn’t doubt I’d get a job wherever I chose to settle down. My plan was to head north, toward the coast on the border with Olakrez. I hadn’t seen the ocean before, and the north seemed as good a direction as any.

I’d made it past the city gates, heading toward the forest that surrounded Egami.

Thumping of hooves came from behind me. There were very few travelers on the road at this early hour.

“Salas!” the familiar beloved voice cut through the stillness of the morning.

My princess rushed to me. She was a vision on her white horse, with her dark cloak trailing in the wind behind her and her unbound hair flying around her lovely face.

For one thrilling moment, I believed she’d chosen to leave it all behind and was coming with me after all. Then I saw her pensive expression.

She stopped her horse, and I caught her in my arms as she jumped from her saddle.

“Ari? What happened?”

“They’re after you,” she panted, struggling to catch her breath. “...the royal guards. Mother knows...”

“What does she know?”

“About your past. The queen knows your secret, Salas. The council too. The royal guards are on their way to arrest you. You need to hurry.”

She looked terrified, but I wasn’t scared. For years, I’d been leaving with the expectation of my past catching up with me sooner or later. It looked like it had finally happened. The timing could’ve been better. But then again, it also could’ve been worse.

“Here.” Ari shoved the horse’s reins into my hand. “Take her. She doesn’t like going fast, but she will if you need her to. She can also ride at a steady pace for days with little rest.”

“I don’t ride horseback.” At least she didn’t bring a riding crop with her.

“I know. But now, you must.” She took my face in her hands. “You need to get away, Salas. Nothing good awaits you if they catch you, believe me.” I held her tight, and she kissed my face, whispering against my skin, “Remember our dream, my love? The one where I teach you how to ride a horse?” She brushed away a tear from her cheek. “Well, at least that part of our fantasy came true, didn’t it?” She smiled at me through tears. Then yanked at the reins to bring the horse a little closer. “Salas, this is Revlis. She’ll be a good horse for you.”

“Hi, Revlis,” I said, not looking at the horse. I saw nothing else when Ari was in front of me. I wondered if she even realized that she’d just called me her love.

“Revlis, this is Salas.” She petted the animal’s cheek. “Keep him safe for me. Will you, girl?” She looked back at me. “She’s a perfect horse for an inexperienced rider. Trust me, you don’t have to be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Good. Do you see those two birches at the edge of the woods?” She gestured at the forest to the left of the main road. “That’s where the hidden path starts. Not many people know about it. I’ve taken Revlis there many times. She knows the way and will take you all the way through the forest, past the waterfall, and to the other side of the river. The guards are looking for you, but they will turn back by nightfall. You’ll just have to stay safe for a day. One way or another, I will convince Mother not to send them after you again. I swear, I’ll do everything to stop the hunt for you. I just need some time to make it happen.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Please, please stay safe. You are my happy place. Whenever I’m cold, hurt, or lonely, I think about you to help me cope. I need to know you’re safe and well, so I can go on too.”

Wherever I was, no matter how far fate would take me away from her, I’d never be truly alone anymore because she was in my thoughts, and I was in hers.

I couldn’t tell her how I felt, but I put all my love for her into our last kiss. Gripping the back of her head in my hand, I kissed her like my next breath depended on it.

“I’ll live,” I promised her. “For you.”

I climbed into the saddle while Ari held the horse for me. The mare shifted uneasily under the weight of an unfamiliar rider but calmed down as Ari petted her.

“You know what to do, girl,” Ari said to her horse gently. “Take him to safety. And I’ll see you both again one day.”

One day.

I held on to these words of hope as Revlis quietly moved toward the path between the birch trees. I didn’t look back, no matter how much I wished to do it. It took all my focus simply to stay in the saddle.

One day, the pain of losing her might ease. One day, I might look up at the stars and not compare them to her freckles. One day, the peals of her laughter stop dancing through my memories.

Or maybe a miracle could happen, and one day, I might be able to say to her, “I love you.”

Ari

AS AN INEXPERIENCED rider, Salas looked unsure in the saddle but steady enough for me not to worry about him making it across the river safely. As Revlis turned toward the forest, I headed back to Egami.

I didn’t look back. I’d watched him leave too many times already. Today, it was enough for me to know that he was safe. And he would stay safe. Until I’ll see him again. Because I would see him again.

As I walked back to the city along the deserted road, I knew with certainty that sooner or later, I would come searching for him, and I would find him, no matter how far life would take him from me. My love would help me find my way back to him. Knowing it helped me walk away from him now, instead of running after him.

A large group of riders on horseback exited the city. I recognized the palace uniforms they wore.

Were they after Salas?

If so, they were too late.

With a furtive glance over my shoulder, I made sure he’d made it to the secret path and was out of sight already. As the guards would head further down the road, searching for him, they would actually increase the distance between them and the man they were after.

Pulling the hood of my cloak over my head, I stepped to the side of the road to let them pass me. But as the riders approached, my gaze crossed with the woman who led them—Gem.

Her eyes narrowed, and I ducked my head down quickly. But it was too late. She knew me too well to be fooled by my cloak. And there was only one reason for me to be here at this hour.

“This way!” she screamed, steering the guards off the road.

Our path through the forest wasn’t a secret to Gem. She knew it better than I did.

“Gem!” I rushed off the road after the guards.

She slowed her horse, only to shake her head at me with her lips pursed in disappointment.

“Don’t, Gem. Please,” I begged. “Let him be.”

But she spurred her horse, catching up with the guards. Taking her place ahead of them, she led them right to the spot where the path began.

“Don’t!” I ran after them in vain.

Safety proved to be just an illusion, like happiness was only a dream.