Mina laid on her back in the dark room, listening to the sounds of breathing and snoring from the other sleeping maids. The cuts on her hands had scabbed over by that point and the bruises littering her face and arms were more visible now. Thankfully, no one had come to get her to punish her even more, so she figured Magnus's idea had worked. Though she looked like a mess, the pain was minute to what she would have been feeling otherwise.

Sitting up slowly, she looked around the room, checking to see if everyone was asleep. When no one stirred, she hesitantly swung her legs over the side of the bed and stepped down onto the cold wooden floor. Being as quiet as she could, she slipped on the dress she was wearing when she first arrived—her only outfit that wasn't her maid uniform—and tiptoed between the rows of cots over to the door. It was locked from the outside as usual, but now she knew of a passageway hidden on the floor which led to Jia's room. From there she figured she could make it out to the hall and take the other passageway to get out to the stables. Erik was on night watch duty tonight, so this was the perfect time to try to sneak away. She hadn't seen the other rebels in a while, and she figured she should report back to them and reassure them that everything was going well. Plus, she wanted to be the one to explain the things that had happened before Erik or maybe even Samira had the chance to.

Running her hands over the floor, Mina stopped when she felt a groove in the wood. Hooking her fingers under, she gingerly pulled open the hatch, hoping that the squeaks the old hinges omitted weren't loud enough to wake anyone. She stepped down onto the rungs and began to descend into the dark. After crawling through the dusty tunnel for a few moments, she reached another set of rungs embedded into the wall and climbed up. Sliding the wooden panel back, she scooted out and into Jia's wardrobe. She eased the doors open as quietly as she could and took a peek into the room. Although it was pitch black dark, she vaguely remembered the positions of the furniture and could somewhat discern the shape of someone laying on the bed. Mina listened to Jia's even breathing for a few moments before making her move. She dropped down to the cool floor, her ratty stockings somewhat muffling her footsteps.

Just as she reached the door, she couldn't help but stop and turn back. Maybe she shouldn't go. Maybe she could just keep living here and manage on her own. She would kill the king eventually, on her own terms. What did she need them for anymore? Her hand gripped the doorknob. No, the rebels didn't take kindly to deserters. She would just be making more enemies if she left them now with no explanation. After all, they helped get her this far.

Mina made her way to the stables, donning her faded cloak and tugging on her beat up boots before stepping into the mud. The coast seemed clear, so she hurried over to where Erik was stationed, finding him twirling his spear idly as he paced back and forth.

"Erik."

He turned to look at her, his eyebrows raised. "Yes?"

"I'm going to report back. Do you know where they're camped out?"

"Out by the Turgiac Grove. West of here."

"How far?"

"About an hour on foot."

"Okay."

"If they have any sense about them, you won't be coming back," Erik

commented. "You're too much of a liability."

"Just let me out," Mina sneered.

Erik clicked his tongue. In the blink of an eye, he swiped her with his spear, cutting her just under her eye. "Screw up again, and I'll kill you myself."

Mina spat at him, wiping the blood that was trickling down her face. "I'd like to see you try."

"No one would miss you. I'd just be doing everyone a favor."

It took all her willpower not to retaliate, knowing that getting into a fight at that moment would do her no good. Shoving past him, she threw open the small door embedded into the wall and scurried off into the night, blinking the tears of rage and despair out of her eyes. She'd prove him wrong. She'd prove all of them wrong.

Mina trudged on for what felt like forever, until she reached a dense mass of twisting Thyst trees, notable for the streaks of purple that ran along the fissures in the bark. If one were to cut off a branch, the severed limb would continue to grow until it formed a new tree. The only way to destroy it was to set it on fire.

Mina wandered along the outer edge of the grove, trying to detect any sign of the other rebels. Upon hearing the sound of muffled voices, she slowed her pace, taking careful, quiet steps as she drew closer. Squinting in the dark, she could vaguely detect figures moving around in the thicket, but she couldn't tell who it was. She looked on for a few more moments before letting out a three note whistle. Some of the figures stilled while others ducked down. Remaining where she was, she whistled again.

"Who goes there?"

Hearing Eldin's voice, Mina rose from where she was crouching. "It's me, Mina. I'm back."

Everyone ahead of her visibly relaxed, and she stepped over the tangled roots to approach them. All eyes were on her, many surprised to see her again. Glancing around, Mina noted many familiar faces, a couple unfamiliar ones, and some that were missing.

"Mina," Eldin greeted. "Come take a seat and rest a bit. Hoda, fetch her some broth."

Mina complied, settling down on those of the thick tree roots as the others gathered around her. Looking around at all their dirt stained, wearied faces, Mina allowed herself to relax a little. It almost felt as if she had never left. Though life with the rebels was never easy, at least this was familiar territory for her. She didn't have to put up a facade nor act like someone she wasn't, which was something that had gotten exhausting during her time in the castle.

"So, what do you have to report?" Eldin asked, settling down across from her and leaning in intently. "And what happened to your face?"

Mina frowned. "Erik's a jackass. I don't know if he thinks it's part of the act or whatever, but I'm sick of him."

"Did you piss him off or something?" Joss commented.

"And what if I did? That's no reason to beat me up."

"I see no issue. I'd do it too if it's what you deserved."

"Enough," Eldin interrupted. "Go on, Mina."

She continued to glare at Joss for a few more moments before continuing. "Well, it does matter because if this keeps up, the prince is gonna notice, and knowing him, he's going to do something about it."

"Oh?"

"Eldin, this might be much easier than we expected."

"How so?"

"You already knew he was naive, but I've witnessed firsthand just how weak he is. I'll have him wrapped around my finger in no time."

"Are you sure of that?"

She nodded firmly. "I am. He cares too much. About everyone. About people who don't even care about him. About me, even."

"How can you tell?"

"He always seems to be looking out for me, asking me how I'm doing and such. And he noticed when I was injured and actually took the time to tend to me."

She paused, her mind replaying all their moments together. She could hear his soft voice in her head and almost feel his soft touch on her skin. Yes, he'd been nothing but good to her and she still could not fathom why or how anyone could be so selfless. Was this really the person she was planning to kill? She shook her head. No, she couldn't let him get into her head like that.

Eldin hummed, leaning back and stroking his chin. "It's a promising start. Do you think you can keep his attention, Mina?"

She nodded. "I'll make sure of it. I'll do whatever it takes." Hearing murmurs and snickers only made her raise her chin in defiance. "I will not fail, I swear it."

Eldin nodded, standing up to touch her shoulder. "I know, Mina. You won't let me down. I knew I made the right choice by sending you."

Mina couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride at his affirming words. "Thank you." She paused. "Oh, and can I bring a knife back? I might be able to sneak one in this time."

Eldin chuckled. "Here take mine. Put it to good use."

She nodded. "I will."

The corner of his lip turned up in a slight smile. "Rest up a little and then head back soon."

"Okay."

Leaning her back against a tree trunk, Mina sipped at her little tin of broth as the other rebels moved about her, settling down to sleep. Things would be alright, she told herself. She'd prove to all of them that she was useful, that she wasn't the weakest link, that she would succeed where so many others had failed.

"Mina?"

Turning her head, Mina squinted in the dark, trying to locate the source of the familiar voice. Being so caught up in the moment, she had shamefully almost forgotten about her old companion. "Reva?"

"Hey," Reva greeted, settling down on the ground next to her. "It's good to see you again. You've been holding up alright there?"

Mina nodded. "It's not too bad."

Reva bit her lip. "Can't say the same."

"Joss again?"

"Not just him, but everyone," she lowered her voice. "Mina, please don't tell this to anyone, but I don't think I can be here anymore."
Mina frowned, her eyes narrowing. "What are you saying? You're going to desert us?"

"I'm not needed anyway. I'd honestly be better off without them."

Mina shook her head. "How long do you think you'd last out there alone? If you think it's bad here, it'll only be a hundred times worse without anyone else to watch your back."

"That's the problem," Reva grasped her hand. "Mina, come with me. I know you don't like them even more than I do, so let's leave together. We can watch out for each other like we've always done."

Mina pulled away. "Reva, you know I can't. You heard what I said. Every day, I'm getting closer and closer to the prince. It's only a matter of time—"

"But even if you succeed, what good will it do? How much would it actually change? Mina, is it really worth it?"

"Reva, I've already told you. I have to do this."

"But why? It won't bring Kirian back. You'll just get yourself killed."

Something snapped in her. "Oh, so you think they deserve mercy then? That they should be allowed to continue to live their lives unimpeded? I'm already dying every day since I lost him, so I'd rather die doing something that mattered instead of just running and hiding for the rest of my life."

Reva's face fell. "Mina..."

She shook her head. "No, don't involve me in this. If you want to leave, then do it, but you're on your own." Standing up, she draped her cloak over herself again. "I have to head back soon before anyone notices I'm gone."

Reva frowned, staying seated with her arms clasped around her knees. "Well...I appreciate all you've done for me, Mina, and...I hope you find what you're looking for."

Mina paused but did not turn around. "Goodbye, Reva."

Stepping between the twisting Thyst tree roots, Mina blindly felt her way through the thicket until she could see the clearing again. She was almost out before her foot struck a particularly hidden bramble which sent her tumbling forward. Mumbling annoyances and profanities to herself, she crawled the rest of the way until she was finally at the edge of the grove. As she attempted to rise to her feet, someone kicked her roughly in her side, catching her off guard and sending her skidding into the dirt. She instinctively reached for her newly acquired blade, but her hand was knocked away. A hand grabbed onto her hair, forcing her up so that she was looking right at the blazing eyes and bitter sneer of Lith.

"Oh, what a good job you're doing, catching the little prince's attention," she mocked, her grip tightening on Mina's hair. "Guess working at the tea house taught you a few lessons, hm?"

"Hardly. I actually have to use my brain which is something you clearly can't do," Mina bit back, clawing at Lith's hand.

The other girl let out a dry chuckle. "Oh, just wait. Once he's had his way with you, you'll just be thrown away for the next girl."

"He's not like that," she retorted, her voice growing soft. "He...he actually cares."

She couldn't believe she was defending him. She didn't even know if that was true, but deep down, she wanted it to be. It was the only reason that made sense to her, though she hated to admit it.

"Does he? Think he'll notice this then?" Lith sneered, striking Mina across the face. She fell to the ground, tasting blood and dirt in her mouth. Fighting the screams of pain and exhaustion, she rose to her knees, only to be hit again just as hard.

"Think he'll nurse your wounds? Kiss it better?" Lith continued to taunt.

She swung at Mina again, but this time, Mina ducked and rolled out of the way. Unsheathing her blade, Mina launched herself at Lith, tackling her and pinning her to the ground. Mina slashed the dagger down at Lith's face, but Lith shielded herself with her arm, resulting in a deep wound tearing into her skin. Lith shrieked in pain, forcing Mina off of her but not before receiving another deeper cut across her wrist. Inching away, Lith grasped onto her wounds in an attempt to stop the bleeding as she stared at Mina, her gaze dripping with rage. Mina pulled herself to her feet, flicking the blood off the knife before sheathing it again. If she wasn't so tired, she could have continued fighting, but she knew she had to save her energy. Sending Lith one last sneer, Mina took off into the night, wiping off the blood that was starting to stain her face.

As much as her new injuries hurt, they didn't compare to the ache that had built up in her chest. The warm feeling she had previously felt from being around familiar faces had completely dissipated after being reminded of exactly why she was so eager to get away. Reva had every good reason to want to leave, and Mina didn't blame her. At the same time, she had her own problems to worry about, issues bigger than just petty, slighted girls like Lith or disgusting, haughty men like Joss. She didn't need them; they needed her. And once she got what she wanted, nothing else would matter.

By the time she arrived back at the castle, she felt on the verge of fainting. Stumbling through the door and shutting it behind her with her foot, she made a beeline for the secret passageway, unaware that someone had noticed her entering.

"Mina?"

She froze, turning slowly to see a familiar brown eyed stable boy staring at her. "Oh, you..."

"It's Micah," he responded, figuring that she didn't remember his name. "What were you doing out there this late?"

Her hands tightened on the fabric of her skirt as she attempted to scrounge up some semblance of a good excuse. "Working."

"You're not in uniform though."

"Not at the moment, no."

"Why is that?"

She hesitated. "I had to get out. I haven't seen my family in a while, and I needed

to check up on them urgently." That was partially true...from a certain point of view.

To her surprise, he didn't even bat an eye. "Oh yeah, I completely understand. I sneak out to see my mum and sisters all the time."

She stared at him through droopy eyes, unsure of whether or not she was hearing him right or if her tired brain was just playing tricks on her. "So, you're not going to report me?"

"If you don't speak a word about this, I won't say anything either." He tilted his

head. "Say, what happened to your face?"

That was the second time someone had pointed that out to her, and she didn't even want to know what she looked like. She turned away, trying to scrape the remainders of the dried up blood off. "It's nothing. Just some stupid thugs."

To her annoyance, Micah didn't leave her alone, instead trailing after her. "Ah yeah, it's quite dangerous out there, especially at night, and even more so for a girl like you. Here, let me help you."

She brushed his hand off. "I'm fine, you hear? Just let me get some rest."

"Well, at least let me know when you're planning to go out next. You shouldn't be out there alone."

Mina continued walking. "I'll manage. I always have."

Micah shook his head. "I can't in good conscience let you do that again. What if something worse happens?"

"Then you wouldn't have to worry about me anymore."

Micah clicked his tongue, scurrying ahead and stopping in front of her. "Enough of that. I may not know you very well, but I know there's people out there who are gonna hurt really bad if you're gone. You said you had a family, right? Think about how distraught they would be."

She shook her head, brushing past him again. "If only that were true."