Then an arrow snaps into a tree to my left.
Another follows right behind it, so close that it brushes my arm.
Silver hell. I turn automatically and loose the arrow, following quickly with another. My magic snaps back to me.
Three people. Maybe four.
Two more arrows strike the tree behind me. I need to get off the ground.
I hook the bow over my shoulder, grab hold of her mane, and swing into the saddle. My hands find the reins without thought, and Mercyleaps into a gallop as soon as my heels brush her sides. I wince, hoping the ground is soft enough that it won’t tear up her foottoomuch. We fly through the trees, the snow blurring the landscape as we run.
I wait for the sounds of pursuit, allowing her to gallop for a few minutes before slowing to a walk, and this time, she’s perfectly obedient, as if she senses that the stakes are higher. I listen hard, studying the swiftly falling snow that surrounds us. I send magic into the ground again, stretching power as far as I can before it snaps back to me.
I sense nothing.
I give Mercy a looser rein and let her walk, but I stay on her back this time.
It has to be simple thieves. No one knows I’m here. I’ve been gone from Syhl Shallow for over a month.
I still can’t shake the feel of danger in the pit of my stomach.
Mercy stretches out her neck, tossing snowflakes to the ground, and we come to a crossroads bearing a sign, which is brilliant news because it means we’ve finally neared a town. Food for me, a new shoe for Mercy, and hopefully a reprieve from the tension that seems to have leapt onto my back.
I let out a long breath and turn for Briarlock.
CHAPTER 4
CALLYN
Jax is sitting on the stool next to the table where I roll out pastry dough and knead my breads. He’s back to two crutches again, and they rest against the wall. Nora sits on the other side of the room, near the roaring hearth, painting frosting onto the sweetcakes while a pot of stew boils over the fire behind her. I have to keep a close eye on her or else half the frosting will end up in her mouth.
“So what do you think?” Jax says, keeping his voice low so Nora doesn’t overhear. He’s told me about Lady Karyl and the Truthbringers and the promised silvers. His knee is bouncing, and I can’t tell if it’s nervous energy or excited energy.
I sprinkle flour across the smooth wood. I don’t want to waste the stew, but I want to have afewmeat pies ready on the off chance anyone comes ringing for supper. “I think you shouldn’t have left the forge if you’ve agreed to do this.”
“I left a note on the door telling thislordwhere to find me.” He glances at the window, where snow swirls in the air, probably guaranteeing wewon’t see another customer today. “She said evening anyway, so I don’t expect him until dark.”
“Well, when I found you in the barn this morning, you said it wasdawnwhen there were still stars in the sky, so—”
“Cal.”
I throw a mound of dough in the middle of the circle of flour, then look at him. That bruise on his jaw is darker—or maybe I can just see it better now. “You know what happened to Da,” I say. “I don’t want to see you at the end of a rope, Jax.”
He steals a bit of dough from the pile and twists it between his fingers. A shadow slides behind his eyes. “Your father didn’t hang.” He pauses. “You’d do this, too. I know you would.”
Yes. I would. I still have nightmares about what happened in the palace, the way the protestors stormed through the gates, dragging me and Nora up the steps. I can still hear the clap of thunder in the cloudless sky, the flare of light blazing through the palace windows. There are dark rumors that say there were Truthbringers among the Queen’s Army, allowing the insurrection to happen. I don’t like to consider my father’s role in the attack—but I don’t like to think of my mother being slaughtered by a magical creature either.
I frown and thrust my hands into the pile, then blow impatiently at a lock of hair that falls into my eyes. “You could be sent to the stone prison.”
“I’m not afraid. Rumor says they don’t even keep a torture master anymore.”
Those same rumors say there’s no need for one because the king’s magic can stop a man’s heart. I sigh and glance across the room just in time to see Nora licking a long band of frosting from a blade. “Nora!” I snap. “You’ll cut your tongue off.”
She makes a face at me and licks the other side.
“You might slice it down the middle and look like a snake,” says Jax. He makes a hissing noise, and she giggles, which makes him smile.
I wish he did that more. It brightens his whole face, stealing away some of his worries.
