Unyielding (The Ashborne Trilogy Book 2) by Kat Lilynette

staring at myself in the mirror, feeling sorry for and hating the person I was looking at, until I heard Penelope knock on the door again. This time, I stood up to greet her as she entered room. It was immediately obvious she was still upset because of what I had said.
    “Your supper, Your Highness,” she said meekly as she began placing the food on the table.
    I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. “Penelope... Please, forgive me. I didn't mean what I said.”
    She hung her hands from my arms. “I just want to help you,” she whimpered.
    “ I know you do,” I said. “This is just something I have to do on my own.”
    No matter how this story was going to end, I knew I would be leaving Penelope, and I didn’t want her last memories of me to be hurtful. With the apothecary’s visit, I now had everything I needed to go through with what I had been planning.
    “Are you really going to marry Alexander?”
    “ Yes, I am.”
    She spun around in protest. “Why? I know you don’t like him. Why are you doing this? I don’t understand!”
    I smiled warmly at her unwavering concern. “It’s just something I have to do, Penelope. In time, you’ll understand. Why don’t you head home for the evening and spend some time with your father.”
    Despite the reassuring smile I was giving her, I could tell that she wasn’t done worrying. She gave me a tight hug before heading for the door. “I’m coming back tomorrow, all right? I don’t care how sick you are!”
    I smiled and nodded at her. “Of course. Why don’t we eat supper together tomorrow?”
    A genuine smile came over her face as she nodded in acceptance of my offer. “Try to get some rest, Highness,” she said as she left and closed the door behind her.
    With the wedding only a few days away, I felt a little relieved that I would get to enjoy one more meal with Penelope. It would give me one last chance to enjoy her friendship before freeing her of service, and it would also give me a chance to have her arrange one last meeting with Gentry. Now that I knew I would be able to spend time with each of them before the ceremony, there was but one thing left to do, and I knew it would be the most difficult thing I would ever have to do in this life or the next. I was going to have to say goodbye to Emoren.

Revelation
     
    With the aid of the apothecary’s drug, I finally slept for the first time in days. It was a dreamless, death-like slumber that I didn’t wake from until nearly mid-day. The breakfast Penelope had left for me had long since gone cold, and the note Gentry must have had her hide beneath my plate spoke of things I had already figured out on my own. I read the message again as I set flame to the piece of paper it was written upon.
    Amber, I hope this message finds you well. I’m worried about you. Since you haven’t left your chambers in days, this was the only way I knew to reach you without arousing suspicion. If you can elude your escort on the eve of your wedding, there may be a way to get you outside the castle walls. As for your friend, however, I’m sorry. I’ve been unable to find any way to free him from that place.  Please  forgive me. With or without that boy, Amber, I beg you to leave Ashborne. Please, send word soon. - Gentry
    I dropped the piece of paper to the floor and watched it burn. I was grateful for Gentry’s help and concern, but I already knew what must be done. And I would see him soon enough, but not today. Today was already going to take every bit of strength I had in order to endure it; today was the day I would say goodbye to Emoren.
    With the burnt ash dancing across my chamber floor in all directions, it was time to go. I stood up, took a deep breath and headed out the door. The sunlight from the corridor windows stung my eyes, and even the guards seemed surprised to see me. I didn’t even bother to acknowledge their presence as I closed my chamber door and started walking.
    A few