Chatper 201


    Chapter 201 A note


    We sat there in silence, and as I held Finnick tightly in myp, Erika and I gazed at each other sadly. It


    seemed as if no one knew what to say. My mind was in a million different ces and I wasn’t sure what


    thought to act on.


    I was so grateful to have Finnick and Erika with me, but I was sad that we were all in this position. Guilt


    flooded through me as I ran my fingers through Finnick’s soft dark hair and I fought the urge to cry.


    Erika released a soft sigh and wilted a little.


    “Is this it?” she wondered quietly. “We are leaving our homnd for an unknown


    country?”


    I nodded. “I’m afraid so. I’m so sorry that I got you involved in my mess again,


    Erika. This is all my fault.”


    But the maid shook her head and reached out to touch my arm. “Don’t be silly, honey. That’s not what I


    meant. I’m more worried about you. As far as I’m concerned, I’m bored with Anemond anyway. If we


    have to leave, let’s make the best of it.”


    I knew she was just trying to cheer me up, and I appreciated her kindness in such a terrible situation.


    Finnick suddenly shook his head and gazed up at me. His lovely gray eyes were wide but his


    expression was serious. “I agree with Aunt Erika, Mommy. I don’t like Anemond and I don’t like Prince


    Marco. As long as I’m with you, I don’t mind where we go. I’ll keep you safe.”


    He smiled up at me and I leaned down and kissed his forehead.


    We snuggled up for a moment and I gazed beyond us at the window on the far side of the room.


    Looking through it, I could see the downpour and the misty


    surroundings, and I thought of Asher. My heart began to ache as I imagined his beautiful face and for a


    moment, I was about to cry.


    I wasn’t sure what had happened to him and I hadn’t had time to worry about him before. With all of the


    commotion, my mind had been in a thousand spots, but now that things were quiet, the Alpha King was


    at the forefront of my thoughts.


    I couldn’t imagine if something terrible happened to him.


    If he had been hurt by Kaleb… I didn’t know what I would do.


    Just as I began to panic, I tried to force myself to not think about it. But then… if Asher was fine, where


    was he now? Had he known that I had left Anemond? Was


    he looking for me now?


    I nced over at Erika. “Do you have a pen or something I can use to write


    something?”


    The maid’s eyebrows crinkled as she thought about it and then she perked up. “There are some


    crayons I brought in a bag for Finnick to color with. And some paper as well. Would that work?”


    “Perfectly,” I replied, and I offered her a smile. She smiled back and then got up from her chair and


    walked over to where she’d ced her backpack. She rooted around in the pack for a moment and


    then retrieved the materials.


    I epted them gratefully and Finnick climbed out of myp without another word. He patiently sat


    beside Erika and studied me quietly.


    “What are you going to write?” Erika wondered.


    “I’m going to leave a note for Asher,” I replied.


    She frowned again in confusion. “A note?”


    I nodded. “I know this house is for the patrolling soldiers to rest at night. If I leave a note here, one of


    them is likely to find it.”


    “Is it a letter of help, then?” she asked.


    “Sort of,” I said, and then sadness ran through me. “But it’s more of a letter of farewell.”


    Erika nodded solemnly and didn’t ask more.


    ***


    Not long after I finished the letter, someone knocked on the door.


    “The rain is letting up, Healer Cas sandra,” a guard called out from the other side. “We need to leave.”


    “Just a minute!” I called out quickly and then I nced at Erika.


    “Where will you hide the letter?” she asked me in a low voice, and she peered


    around the room.


    There was only a cot, a table, and several chairs, so there was no good ce to


    hide my note.


    Even though I didn’t have a n, I ced my finger on my lips and then folded the letter and put it in


    my pocket. Once it was there, I walked over to open the door. I knew better than to keep these


    viinous guards waiting, not when Finnick’s


    safety was at sake.


    The guard on the other side red at me as I stepped out and his dark eyes darted around the room.


    He studied us with an intense gaze and then nodded once.


    “Follow me,” he ordered, and then he walked down the hall.


    Erika, Finnick, and I obeyed his harshmand. I let them get ahead of me, once they were upied,


    ‘quickly slid the folded letter back into the room from under the door.


    Sweat broke out across my forehead. I had no idea if the letter would find Asher, but I hoped and


    prayed that he would get ahold of it.


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    We met Kaleb out in the parlor and the Northern King eyed me with a raised


    eyebrow.


    tone.


    “Did you have a good rest, Healer Cas s andra?” he asked me in a lofty sort of


    5%D


    “Yes,” I replied quickly and then I offered him a fake smile of gratitude. “Thank you for allowing me a


    moment to breathe. I’m feeling much better now.”


    “Good,” he remarked, and then he turned to the guard, who offered him a nod. When he turned back to


    us, his expression was much more serious. “It’s time to get


    back to our journey. Let’s go.”


    Finnick grabbed my hand, and I looked down at him and squeezed it. He nodded at me and then rolled


    his shoulders back.


    My brave little boy.


    We walked out of the house and as we stepped out into the misty forest, I nced back at the closed


    door wistfully. I hoped with all of my might that Asher would get the letter.


    We were escorted back to the same car, and to my surprise, Kaleb got into the car with us. I wasn’t


    surprised that the king of Yurene was keeping us close, but I wished we could have had more privacy.


    Once we were settled in, the car started up and continued to drive into the woods. I stared out the


    window and watched the trees go by. My eyes began to ze over a little and I started to lose track of


    time.


    We passed the final sentry post in Wega, and as we went by, I looked back and saw the light of the


    post gradually vanish as the car twisted onto another path.


    It was my very first time leaving this country. Going from Anemond to Wild Crawler had been a big


    change of scenery, but this would be on a whole other level.


    I didn’t know what was waiting for me.


    But I could only hope for the best.