“We will. I will,” Erik assures me. “There is too much chaos in the three kingdoms, and you are far too weak right now. So, I will be continuing to search from here. You need to go back to the North with Cedric and work on your health and on your kingdom.”
“I can’t abandon my friend.” I get to my feet.
Erik and Jerry exchange a look, and then Jerry says heavily, “We believe she’s dead.”
Tears spring to my eyes. “You’re wrong.”
“I’m not wrong,” Jerry sighs. “Cassian said he was going to take her hostage and then get rid of her. He needed to know what she knew, and that was it. She’s long dead, Leanna.”
I break into sobs, unable to stop myself. This is my fault. I dragged her into this.
Two small hands cup my face. “Don’t cry, Mom. Please don’t cry.”
Finn’s voice jerks me out of my de
