Chapter 201

Chapter 201 A note

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CAS SANDRA

We sat there in silence, and as I held Finnick tightly in my lap, 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 places 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 homeland 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 k*ssed 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

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Chapter 201 A note.

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 glanced 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 placed her backpack. She rooted around in the pack for a moment and then retrieved the materials.

I accepted them gratefully and Finnick climbed out of my lap 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.”

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Chapter 201 A note

“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 glanced 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 place to

hide my note.

Even though I didn’t have a plan, I placed my finger on my l*ps 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 villainous guards waiting, not when Finnick’s

safety was at sake.

The guard on the other side glared 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 harsh command. I let them get ahead of me, once they were occupied, ‘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.

and

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13:37 Mon,

Chapter 201 A note

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

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“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 glanced 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 glaze over a little and I started to lose track of time.

We pa*sed the final sentry post in Wegalla, 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.

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Chapter 201 A note

But I could only hope for the best.

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