I’d grown too accustomed to escaping punishment to behave now.
Mother closed the door and locked it again. I ran a hand over my face, trying to decide what to do, what I wanted.
A stone plunked against my window. Lifting my head, I stared through the frosty glass. Consumed by nostalgia.
Akemi had convinced me to sneak out with him by throwing rocks at my window. He’d make a slide from the snow to help me to the ground safely.
My whole life had revolved around my brother. Father hadn’t allowed me out of the home most days. When he did, I was forbidden from straying from his side. Mother had always been distant. There had never been any ‘friends.’
I felt hollow, realizing it. Realizing my life held no meaning anymore.
A second stone plunked against my window. Pressing my shoulder against the pane, I pushed the frozen glass open.
A man stood in the garden below, wrapped in a heavy winter cloak. Seeing the window had opened, he climbed up the wall like a well-practiced thief. Stepping away from the window, I felt around for a weapon.
But I had none.
The rogue gracefully leaped through the window and landed beside me. He pushed his hood back, and steel curls spilled loose.
I stared at him, mind blank.
Ferris grinned. “I had a feeling I’d find you here.”
I blinked a few times, looking him up and down. Blood stained his forest green jacket and boots. One had been torn open and re-mended.
Ferris was Aenir's prince. Why would he be here, in Tsuyan, wounded from battle?
“Why are you in my room?” I finally said.
“And here I was hoping you’d be happy to see me.” Ferris walked past me, running a finger along my dresser. “You saved my father’s life, if you recall. The least I could do is see if someone dragged you home for starting bar fights in Kentoro.”
“Youstarted that fight.”
“Details, details.” Ferris pulled his finger back. It was coated in dust. “Do you live here?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
“I sleep here. How did you even find me?"
"It wasn't that hard. I asked where the general's manor was and looked in the windows until I saw you."
"Well, if you want to speak to my father, you’re in luck," I said, pulling the window closed. "He’ll be here shortly to kill me.”
Ferris grimaced. He reached past me, pressing a hand to the window to keep it open. “Minsawa fell. The men retreated. The monsters might come here next. In fact, I’d bet on it.”
Father must already know that. Why waste time reprimanding me when death approached?
“Your father,” I said. “A Solheart tried to kill him. While Galasvar fell.”
Ferris’ eyes narrowed. “What are you thinking?”
“That there’s a Solheart here. And I don’t trust him.” Pushing the window open, I breathed in the frozen air.
How and why the two might be connected was for someone else to figure out. Quinn had left to meet with his underlings. There wouldn’t be a better time to spy on him.
Pressing my hands to the sill, I looked down at the piles of snow, two stories below. Shit. Without my sword, I’d be useless. It was my catalyst, too.
“Whoa.” Ferris grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?”
“Did you not come here to help me escape?”
