I spin in time to see Tyree slash the throat of the charging guard. The other is sprawled out on the ground, unconscious.
And suddenly, I am alone to face off with the Ybarisan prince who has plotted my death once already, who just jumped from three stories up.
“I honestly thought the mortal might stay.” He grimaces, favoring his right leg as he strips the guard of his weapons. “But I guess you don’t inspire chivalry.” He hobbles toward me, a dagger in hand.
I back away, fumbling for the small merth blade I keep tucked inside my cloak. “You can run. They won’t chase you. My brother isn’t here.”
“And leave my bride-to-be?” He grins, but it’s a pained look. “Do you think me foolish? I won’t get out of Cirilea on my own.” He darts forward, faster than I expected, grabbing hold of my arm and squeezing tight. “But I have a chance with a princess.”
I swing with my free hand, stabbing my blade into the meaty part of his thigh, earning his howl of pain. Tearing it out, I make to plunge it in again.
In seconds my arms are tangled behind me and the knife I stabbed Tyree with is pressed against my throat. “That’s not a very kind thing to do to your betrothed.” He pants in my ear. “If you do not get me out of here, you are not worth keeping alive. Understood?”
I’m sure I hit an artery. Maybe I can humor him long enough that he’ll bleed out. “The gates are sealed. No one in or out.”
“I heard my sister escaped by skiff.”
“The port is sealed too.”
“I think we should try our luck, anyway, don’t you?” My shoulders scream as he pulls my arms back tighter. “How do we get to the water from here?”
I sigh. “I know a way.” A long way that he’ll struggle with, injured so. It might give me a chance to escape him. “I will get you there as long as you let me go.”
“Bartering, are we? How about I promise not to kill you?”
“Do you actually know how to keep your word?” Doubtful.
“Let’s find out.” He gives me a shove. “Which way?”
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
ROMERIA
The sun is touching the horizon when Jarek and I push through Cirilea’s sanctum doors, the children all safe in Ulysede, including Dagnar who we discovered charging through the royal garden like a wild boar, frantically searching for his mother.
Smoke and shouts and ringing steel greet us, spiking my adrenaline to new levels. It’ll be dark soon and easier to move without notice, but for now, we draw our cloaks and hope for clear passage.
Jarek stalls, listens. “That’s not coming from the port. It’s coming from the castle. That is not us.”
Both relief and new dread emerge. “Seamus said a rebellion was brewing.” He hinted that any day now, the people would revolt. It makes sense that it would happen once the king and army had left the city.
“It appears it has finally come. The people feel they have nothing to lose.”
“Will they get inside?”
“Eventually, yes. But that is not our problem. It works to our advantage. If the king’s guard is defending the castle, they’re not at the docks.” Jarek scans the street before ushering me on with a hurried “Come.”
The route to Port Street has become familiar to me. I run alongside Jarek, his blades drawn, my affinities simmering, through wafts of rancid air as we pass hanging corpses that need to be cut down and buried. Few people are on the streets, and they have no interest in tangling with two cloaked figures. Many are moving in the same direction as we are, their arms clutching children not yet taken by Boaz or whatever belongings they could grab on their hurried way. However Seamus spread the message, it worked.
The lower city buildings give way to a view of the bay, and a burst of joy hits me at the litter of skiffs already in the water, sailing out, loaded with people. “It worked. We actually pulled this off!” I manage between ragged pants.
“Do not celebrate yet,” he warns. “The ships are still at port, including the Silver Mage.” The biggest of all, by far.
We rush ahead toward the long line of mortals impatient to find passage. A guard lays facedown, a letter with my handwriting and the king’s seal still in his grip. “I guess he didn’t buy that?” The shallow waters below reveal hints of armor. More fallen guards, more letters.
My chest tightens.
“We tried the peaceful way first. You do not have to like it, but you must accept it.” Jarek steps over the corpse. “They did what they had to do.”