A sudden shout, and guards pour into the warehouse below. A few hold torches that light their faces in a menacing glow.
Shit shit shit.
Antonio chuckles. “Turns out the king cares more about catching you than me earning a little extra coin.”
“You’re a snake, Antonio,” I grit out before I smash the hilt of my blade into his temple and he crumples to the floor. I turn, and Burly Man takes a step toward me, so I point my sword at him. “You want to impale yourself? Be my guest.” He must have some brains because he stays put, to my relief; I really don’t want to kill anyone tonight.
The thundering of boots on the steps signals I’m almost out of time. With a hop, I’m up on the railing, and before I can think too hard, I sheathe my sword and leap, grabbing onto one of the large wooden chandeliers. My stomach almost jumps up into my throat as I swing across the room toward my exit. The guards freeze, staring at me in shock as I let go and barrel into them and they go down in a heap. My ankle twinges as I land on it wrong, but I keep moving, dashing toward my exit. I pull up short as Burly Man from before blocks my way with his sword. Damn, he got down here fast.
He has me on size alone, but I’m stronger than I look, and equally fast . . . when my ankle isn’t twisted. I draw my sword, trying my best not to reveal my weakness as I fend off Burly Man’s attacks. Before I know it, I’m back in the center of the room and the guards I knocked down are recovering. As much as I’d love to show off my impressive sword skills, survival is more important. These are my father’s men, and for all I know, they have orders to kill me and forgo the questions.
“Hey, big guy,” I yell out, hoping to distract him. To my utter shock, his brow crinkles in confusion, and he pauses. “Behind you!”
When he actually looks over his shoulder, I hold back my laugh as I use the time to sprint in the opposite direction. There’s got to be a rear exit somewhere. My ankle twinges again, and I almost stumble, but I keep running, the yelling and thudding of boots lighting a fire beneath my feet.
I can’t get caught. My people need me . . . my realm needs me. What was I thinking, trying to do this on my own? I should have realized this was a trap the minute I walked in so easily, but I can chide myself later. I still need to make it out of this alive.
Searing pain burns through my side, but I don’t have time to look. The clatter of a knife hitting the floor is my first indication, sticky wet blood running down my side is the next. Damn it. I don’t have much time.
Thank Luna there’s a window two feet away, and without second-guessing, I run into it shoulder first, gratified at the shattering glass as the window gives way. I hit the ground and roll with an “oof.” Struggling for breath, a weak whistle leaves my lips before I stumble to my feet and run for the woods. Gods willing, Phantom heard me.
More glass shatters, followed by shouts, and I send up another prayer to Luna for help in my escape. Thundering hooves send a rush of relief through me as Phantom breaksfrom the trees. I barely manage to pull myself into the saddle, but we’re off. An arrow whizzes past my ear, and Phantom and I race back into the woods, hoping the darkness and trees will slow their pursuit. I reach a hand back and press into my wound, grimacing in pain. I need to get this taken care of quickly before I bleed out.
Alex is going to give me so much shit for this.
Chapter Eleven
RAELYN
It’s been a month. Thirty days with our new stepmother as lady of the manor. I’m ready to scream and run away. Gods, can I?
Curse Father and his financial woes. He could not have chosen a worse “mother.”
I scrub at the tiles, my hands and knees burning. This is absurd. We used to have maids for this until Stepmother dismissed the majority of them only days after the ink on the marriage contract dried. Have they found other employment? I worry for their ability to provide for their own families.
To my dismay, even Sera was let go. The only remaining lady’s maid is assigned to Stepmother and the twins while I am left to fend for myself.
I wipe a hand across my sweaty brow. How I long to be curled up in my favorite chair, working on my needlepoint or reading a good book instead of being assigned to seemingly endless chores. I curse under my breath.
Footsteps click down the hall, and I bite my tongue, hoping whoever it is didn’t hear me. The last thing I need ismore punishment for speaking out of turn about our dearest stepmother.
“Oops!” a feminine voice says right before the bucket hits the floor and a flood of dirty water soaks my knees.
I let out an unladylike screech and jump to my feet, spinning around to glare at Chessa. “Why would you do that?”
She quirks a brow, her lips curling into a smile I want to smack right off her face. “I’m sorry. I must have tripped.”
I throw the filthy sponge at her, and she ducks while screaming, “Don’t you dare, Raelyn! I will tell Mother about this, and you will pay!”
“You traitorous filth,” I hiss at her. “What makes you think you are any more special than I? You should be down here cleaning with me.”
Chessa straightens, her nose pointing toward the ceiling. “Clearly, our new stepmother knows what she’s doing. You’re just a waste of space. You should have been married off by now, but instead, you sit around, lazing away, wasting Papa’s money.”
My eyes widen. “Is that what you think?” She has another thing coming if she thinksIam the waster of our funds. I haven’t gotten a new wardrobe in years, while she has new dresses made every week. She is completely delusional.
“It’s what I know,” she replies. “Besides, I need to make sure I am presentable for all the suitors Mother has set up for me. I dare not break a nail while cleaning the floors.” She sniffs haughtily.
“Get out of my sight, Chess, before I pull you onto the floor and make you clean up this mess with your brand-new dress.” I clench my fists at my sides, daring her to come at me or say another word.
