“You know we’re likely to run into an ambush. The Zhagarn are nothing if not thorough when mapping out possible exits.” His voice is so grim, I’m reminded of how he knows this.
His parents are said to have defended the exit through which trusted guards spirited Kaelen and Karrina away. Not until their children were safely away did the Valourian king and queen fall, overwhelmed by the sheer mass of the attacking force. I wonder if this memory underlies Kaelen’s urgency, or if the danger in our current situation is more than enough to drive him.
“We’re prepared,” Neville says. “I’ve a troop of ten outside with our horses and provisions in the back stable. Heavily armed, all proven fighters.”
For the first time, I hear the Sylvan’s cold voice. “Proven fighters often fall before the Zhagarn. One could wish for thrice that number or more.”
“If I’d had them to spare, they’d be out there, Andras Al’Sylvan,” Neville says curtly. “We were woefully unprepared for this attack, and it looks like collaborators inside the castle may have assisted them.”
The woman hisses out a word I don’t recognize. “Collaborators have no honor and should be put to death slowly.”
“Chitai speaks truth,” Andras says harshly.
“The king said the two of you …wantedto go on this quest?” I ask.
“It’s our right to be part of the mission to free the goddess. I’ll fight beside anyone who battles the Zhagarn,” Chitai growls. “Anyone, anytime, anywhere.”
“Agreed. I will not rest until the enemy is dust,” Andras says, pulling an arrow from his quiver and holding it ready by his side.
Bern looks back at us, his worried gaze bouncing between Kaelen and me. “Prince Kaelen, Lady Soli, please hang back out of harm’s way. We’ll protect you.”
Neville snorts. “You’re new, Bern. You’ve never seen the prince on the training grounds.”
One guard behind me barks out a laugh. “The man fights like a snow leopard. Took on five of us the other day and never broke a sweat.”
“Were there only five?” The prince’s grin is a white slash of teeth in the darkness. “Seemed like more when you were all lying on the ground groaning.”
This man is not what I would have expected from a pampered royal prince, if I’d ever had the time or energy to consider the subject. His body language and tone project a man in complete control of himself and his surroundings, and he’s sure-footed through the tunnel as though he’s been here before—even though the cobwebs and unmarked mud make it clear nobody has used this passage in a very long time.
When I almost bang my head on a hanging projection, he moves me to one side with a hand on my waist, and I inhale sharply at the contact, heat searing my skin even through my shirt. I swallow my gasp and concentrate on watching the path in front of me more carefully.
“We’re almost there.” Neville’s quiet voice floats back to us. “Torches out, and your light, please, Lady Elianna.”
Those holding torches extinguish them in the mud. The sorcerer’s light vanishes. One of the soldiers in the back with Trick runs up to join Bern and the sergeant at the front. We follow them to the end of the tunnel, where moonlit darkness waits for us.
Prince Kaelen’s hand tightens on my waist for a quick moment, then he releases me and draws a dagger. “I’m sorry you’re in this situation. If … No. Later.”
“Yes. Later.”
He takes me at my word, evidently, because he changes the subject. “If we’re lucky, there’s nobody here.”
“Oh, Nobody’s here,” I say grimly. “And I’m scared out of my new boots.”
He opens his mouth to respond, but I never learn what he meant to say, because two daggers whistle through the air from the end of the tunnel. Neville yanks Bern aside, but both blades strike the soldier just next to them, who screams and falls to the ground.
“We need to turn back,” Trick yells from behind me. “Our soldiers were winning the fight inside the castle. This is too dangerous!”
“It’s too late,” Elianna says, her voice calm even though her eyes are wide with fear. “Zhagarn just entered the tunnel behind us. I can feel their magic.”
The soldier at the back of our group with Trick immediately turns to face the way we came, sword drawn, and Chitai races past us to join him, unsheathing more knives as she moves.
Kaelen draws his sword and pulls me behind him. “Stay close.”
He pins Trick with a hard, measuring stare before tossing him a dagger. “Thief. Help me protect your friend.If the amulet is lost, Altarra is doomed.”
Trick scowls, but he catches the dagger and turns to put himself between me and whatever may come up behind us. I try to keep from panicking and have never felt less successful at anything in my life.
“Now,” Neville growls.
