"It's too dangerous for you to stay here," Erilyn said, her voice filled with regret.
I staggered a step backward. "But . . . but I thought you were finally going to come home with us. Isn't this why the queen sent us here? To fetch you from this place?"
My sister wrapped her arms around herself and looked away. "The queen means well, I know that. She's been sending me letters lately, telling me to come home. She knows that the threat is getting bigger, and she wants me to get out of here as soon as possible. I suppose making you come here was her last resort."
I released a breath. "Then if you won't come with me, I'll stay. I can't leave you alone like this, Erilyn."
Her gaze flicked to me. "Oh, Lily. I'm sorry, but you can't. You can't. The last time you encountered Ines' men, you almost died. I cannot let them hurt you again, because if so, I will not have a face to show to our parents in the future."
