Tillon said nothing.
Meena swallowed nervously, realizing he could reach back out and destroy her here in the dark alleyway. No one knew she was here. He was blocking her exit. And she had just asked him to become a traitor against his king, kingdom, and their most powerful leading ally. “And we’ll need you to sail us out to safety later this evening, wind or no wind.” Her voice seemed to both squeak and croak. Why was she still speaking? “I understand it’s a lot to ask, so if you’re not interested, I’ll just take my leave.” She stepped sideways, back against the wall, toward the light of the street.
Tillon’s hand on the wall at her shoulder stopped her movement.
She inhaled sharply.
“Princess,” Tillon finally whispered. “You don’t have to ask twice.”
It took a moment before her lungs cooperated enough to breathe again. And another moment for her mind to realize he was accepting her offer. She exhaled.
“You are sure?” she whispered.
“I’ve been trying to think up a way to drop Sol off somewhere safe without raising the ire of the king. I was even thinking we could go out as far as the Isle of Exile. As horrible as that would be, surely living there would be better than living as a prisoner of Gareth. But his highness refuses to speak to me. Which I can’t fault since he is a prisoner on my ship.”
“You have to remove the necklace,” Meena said, realizing instantly what the issue was. “It’s a magic necklace, and it’s muting him. He can’t remove himself. Go back to the ship immediately. Remove the necklace. Tell him the plan is still on and take him to the inlet where he directs you. Oh, and let him know that you are the escape route as well. This is a lot to remember, maybe I should come with you.” Meena wanted to see Sol so badly it hurt. “No, I still need to play my part. Do you have all this? Can you do it?”
“Free Sol. Remove the necklace. Tell him you love him. Yes, I got it.”
Meena lightly slapped the sailor’s arm. “Now is not the time for jesting.”
“I wasn’t jesting,” Tillon responded indignantly. “You clearly love him or you wouldn’t be endangering your life to save his.”
“Go.” Meena pushed him back into the open street, where collided unceremoniously with Esven.
“There you are,” Tillon growled. “I just got yanked into a dark alleyway and you walked off without me. And it took you this long to even notice I was gone?!”
“Well, you turned out just fine,” Esven said, peering over Tillon’s shoulder into the alleyway.
“Come on,” Tillon pushed his friend back into the street. “Let’s get back to the ship.”
“But we just got here,” Esven complained. “We haven’t even got the food yet.”
Meena rearranged her gown around her, listening to the two sailors banter as they went back through the gate.
It felt good to see them again, like they were old friends.
She waited a few more moments before exiting the safety of the dark alleyway.
She wrinkled her nose, blinking away the stinging sensation in her eyes. Sol would want her to protect his people—and hers—before him. She had to trust Tillon and Esven to do their part.
But someone needed to distract the guard on the inside of the tunnel.
And someone needed to make sure Jules and Ezra did not destroy all their hard work. They had been acting especially suspicious all day.
Together they would stop Gareth before he wrested control of all the kingdoms, wreaking chaos on those who stood in his way.
And someone needed to make sure Jules and Ezra did not destroy all their hard work. They had been acting especially suspicious all day.
Slipping out onto the street, she made her way quickly back to the fort.
Chapter 34
Back at the bailey, Meena slipped into a side entrance, hoping to continue avoiding detection. The sun was almost completely down.
Neven would begin his ascent up the cliff side canyon any moment. Meena had given him very specific instructions on how to find the hidden path up the hill. And she had tried to explain how Sol had used the wind if he needed navigational help.
Neven said he would try it.
