“Yep,” Scarlet announced, holding up an old book. “This was my father’s journal.”
Nate’s jaw fell open. “Are you serious?”
Scarlet nodded.
“That’s amazing!” Nate reached for the book, but Scarlet pulled it closer to her chest.
Heather looked at Scarlet in horror. “And you just took it? What if Mr. Brooks finds out? What if he hunts me down and curses me or something?”
Gabriel threw a wicked smile at her. “Welcome to Team Awesome.”
“Shut up,” Heather snapped, boring her deep brown eyes into his matching ones.
Scarlet bit her lip. “I know I shouldn’t have taken the journal, but it was my father’s. And it has all kinds of information. For instance, did you know that my father was addicted to fountain water?”
“No way!” Nate smiled. “That’s so awesome.”
Scarlet frowned at him.
He cleared his throat. “Not the part about your dad being addicted. Just the part about you finding out.”
Scarlet took a deep breath. “There’s more.”
Everyone leaned in and watched Scarlet flip through a few ancient pages. “I found a drawing of a map that my uncle, some guy named Francis, drew a long time ago. Or, at least, a copy of a map.”
Scarlet turned the book over and showed everyone in the car.
Drawn in dark ink was an almost identical picture of the apple tree drawing Scarlet had found in her brooch.
“The tree?” Heather scrunched her nose.
Scarlet nodded. “The apple tree drawing I found in the brooch is actually the original map to the fountain of youth.”
Oh. Snap.
35
Tristan sat in the stone room of the outer court, staring at his hands. Two guards stood watch at the sole entrance to his right, and another three stood watch around the perimeter.
Had it really been just that morning that Scarlet had laid in his arms and colored on his skin?
Tristan’s heart was heavy.
Escape from the court would be difficult; there were too many familiar faces, too many men who worked for his father.
But escape from the king’s army? Impossible.
Tristan was truly trapped. He would disappear at dawn and be separated from Scarlet. If not for forever, at least for decades.
And decades would be too long. She would be caught stealing and put to death. Or she would die of starvation or disease. Or she would be taken captive by a madman in the woods…
Tristan’s hands began to shake with fear and hatred.
Fear for Scarlet’s well-being. And hatred of his father’s greedy plans.
“I must see my father again.” Tristan stood from the cold bench he’d sat upon and approached the guards.
“We were given strict orders not to allow you passage anywhere,” Tennius said.
“My father will want to speak with me—”
“Your father gave the orders.”
“I must return to my chambers.”
“You will do nothing of the sort.” Tennius turned his sword in Tristan’s direction, aiming at his throat. “Now, sit down until the king’s carrier comes.”
Tristan did not sit. Instead, he snatched the blade from the guard’s hand and thrust it at Tennius, who jumped back to avoid injury. The second guard charged Tristan and they battled within the close quarters of the stone room until Tristan ran the second guard into the wall.
Tennius came at Tristan’s back, followed by two other guards from the night.
Soon, Tristan found himself outnumbered—again—and thrashing wildly, sword in hand.
Someone choked him from behind and Tristan spun about. His arm was pinned by another guard and someone kicked his legs out from beneath him.
Despite his best attempts, he was soon completely restrained and the sword was yanked from his hand.
“Your father will not be happy about this,” Tennius said.
“My father can go to hell.”
“Tristan!” Gabriel’s voice echoed through the dark courtyard.
Tristan saw his brother approach from the stone gates beyond and started fighting the guards again.
“Tristan,” Gabriel repeated when he drew closer. “What is this?” He looked at the guards in horror. “Release him immediately.”
“He attacked us, sir.” The guards let Tristan go, shoving him to the ground.
Tristan pulled himself up as Gabriel hurried to his side. “What happened?”
Tristan watched as all the guards posted themselves outside the stone room, and Tennius sneered at him.
There was no escape now.
Tristan stretched his neck. “I fought the guards and I lost.”
Gabriel looked around. “Clearly. Why did you fight? And why on earth are you enlisting in the king’s army?”
Tristan sat back down on the stone bench. “I’m not enlisting. I’m being forced away.”
Gabriel stood in front of him with a confused look. “By who?”
“Father.”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “The bastard. Why would he send you away?”
Tristan mocked a laugh. “For six parcels of land.”
Gabriel was stunned. “Are you joking?”
“Not one bit.” Tristan shook his head.
Gabriel cursed. Looking around, he lowered his voice. “I’ll help you escape.”
Tristan thought about it, energized by the determination in Gabriel’s voice. “We could die.”
Gabriel smiled. “Dying for my brother is no problem for me.”
Tristan gave a weak smile in return. “I would not allow you to die for me.”
Gabriel sighed. “Your endless love for others is inconvenient.”
Tristan leaned his head against the wall behind him and closed his eyes in frustration. “Why does father hate me so?”
“You are not alone.” Gabriel shook his head. “He hates me as well.”
Tristan opened his eyes. “How so?”
Gabriel crossed his arms. “Father has arranged a marriage for me. A marriage! The announcement is tomorrow.”
Tristan wrinkled his brow. “Why would he do that?”
Gabriel scoffed. “To keep me from Raven, I’m sure. He threatened to cut off my inheritance if I refused to marry his chosen bride who, by the way, is some peasant named Scarlet.”
Tristan’s chest tightened. “What is your intended bride’s last name?”