Threatened [W&W Book 2]

Chapter 36

The next morning dawned brightly, but only a sliver of light made it into Anya's cell. The evening and night had been long and Anya was almost grateful to be going anywhere. Anywhere except to stand in front of her king and lie about the culprit behind all the treason. That was about the worst place she could imagine. Anya's stomach knotted with fear. How would she manage to pull off what Thorne was commanding that she do if she could not even think about it calmly?

Thorne was counting on her desperation to pull her through. Anya half feared that he was right. Anya half feared that he was wrong.

Anya heard the sound of the door and Marvin walked around the corner. He put the key in the lock and turned it sharply. "It's time."

Anya stood up and walked to the door. Jim was standing near the door. Anya felt awkward, remembering the way she had spoken to him the previous day. He was likely furious at her. She would not blame him. He had plenty of reason to be. It would appear as if she had only been using him for her own ends. In a way she had been, she supposed.

"Let's go," he said. Anya nodded and followed him quietly. She wondered why Lord Wildwood had set Jim to guard her. Probably because Jim was so unfailingly loyal and reliable.

Anya wished that she had done things differently, although she did not see how she could have. Perhaps she could have spoken to Lord Wildwood at the beginning or taken Jim into her confidences. Maybe they could have staged Lord Wildwood's death or something.

If only she had known that she could trust them then, before she had committed such irreparable sins.

They arrived outside, and everything was a flurry of activity. Anya took what was likely her last look at Wildwood castle. It was an impressive place, ruled over by a good leader. If things had been different she would have been happy there.

"We'll ride in this carriage," Jim told Anya. She climbed up and sat by the window.

Jim climbed inside and sat opposite her. Anya looked out the window so that she would not have to meet his eyes. She wondered where Sabin was and hoped that he would find somewhere good to live and that he would be content being a wild creature again. She knew that he would miss her, but perhaps that feeling would fade in time and he would be happy and free.

The carriage started with a lurch. She leaned back on the seat and hoped that the journey would not be too tedious and long. Neither did she want the journey to be short either, because she dreaded the destination. She would likely reside in the king's jail, and she tried not to remember some of the stories she had heard of the place. Or perhaps she would be executed for treason. Both possibilities sent a wave of fear through Anya. She did not know which was worse.

Anya and Jim travelled along in silence for a long time. It was uncomfortable but Anya did not know what to say. She wanted to tell him that she was sorry, but she had said it too many times already and at a certain point surely the words lost their meaning. They either believed her or they did not. Jim seemed to be lost in his thoughts and she decided not to bother him. She told herself she was not being cowardly but considerate. Anya watched the scenery go by out the window.

After a long time of being bounced and jostled, the carriage came to a stop. Jim opened the door, and Anya climbed out. They were apparently breaking for a meal. Anya and Jim were handed pieces of bread and some cheese by a bored looking servant. She sat down on the grass beside the carriage and stretched out her legs. Jim leaned while he ate.

When they were finished, Anya tentatively asked, "Can we walk around a bit until we're ready to continue, please?" Her legs were stiff from being crammed inside the carriage. She also could not help but wonder if this might be one of the last times she would ever see trees.