"Wait, where?—”
Darting across the yard, I slammed into the stables and yanked the doors open. The stout, fluffy white horse that had been my brother's raised its head and looked at me with gentle black eyes.
Ferris flew in behind me, touching my back as he slipped past me to grab Arrow's saddle off the wall. A shiver ran up my spine.
"I know what that's like," Ferris said, helping me saddle Arrow. "Fearing them."
Surprised, I paused. Aenir's king was beloved amongst his people, from what I'd heard.
"Yes, well.” I returned to strapping on Arrow's bridle. "I brought it on myself."
Ferris caught my wrist. "Nobody should be punished for wanting to be free. Say the word, and . . . ”
"And what?"
He dropped my wrist and smiled. "Let's survive tonight, first."
My brows knit as I studied his face. What had he been about to say?
"Are we chasing after the Paragons?" Ferris asked.
"Yes." I flexed my hand.
I'd wait until the last moment to summon Siotha back, to avoid drawing my father's gaze.
Grabbing Arrow's reins, I moved to lead him outside. Ferris looped his hand around them just above mine and yanked, pulling me close to him.
"Is your father planning to have you killed?" He asked.
"I don't know," I said. "I haven't really had time to process anything."
"But you're riding out toward certain death?"
I couldn't formulate a response. Thoughts whirled in my head, not composed of words, but motion.
Akemi's words came back to me.'You never think, sister. You just go. It's going to get you killed one day.'
'So?' I'd asked.
'So, I'm teaching you to use a bow. It'll force you to slow down and think.'
"I'm no good with a bow," I blurted out. "Akemi taught me, but I never . . . "
Ferris blinked at me in surprise. His head snapped up, and his eyes darted toward the stable doors.
Alarm bells sounded in the distance, faintly, at first. They grew in volume and power as bells around the city joined in the chorus.
Warning the people of Tsuyan to shelter from danger.
Ferris looked back at me. "I'm shit with a bow, too. We'll improvise. Reese told me Paragon weapons can shift to fit their wielder. Maybe Siotha will, too." Grabbing Arrow's saddle, he mounted and offered me a hand.
I took it, sitting behind him. "Why are you steering?"
"Because.” He slapped the reins against Arrow's neck. "You're the one with the bow."
Arrow rocketed out of the stables, galloping across the yard and down the promenade. We burst through the gate to the sounds of ominous chimes.
I wrapped my arm around Ferris' waist and leaned forward. He grinned. "If we're to die, this isn't such a bad way to go."
