“We need to leave the Keep without anyone spotting us. Understand?”
Kiki huffed and nudged him with her nose. He mounted and grabbed Rusalka’s reins. Kiki took a circuitous route and frequently paused in large shadows. Eventually, she stopped in the shadow of the Administration building. They were within sight of the Keep’s entrance. She cocked an eye and looked at him. His turn.
Despite the late hour, the guards at the gate were still on alert. While the horses waited, Valek searched for Ari in the infirmary. The place was lit up and a few guards milled about. Eventually, he caught sight of him and signaled.
Ari joined him in an empty room. “Is this about Captain Marrok?”
“What have you heard?”
“They just brought him in. He’s been beaten, and he’s incoherent.”
The poor guy. Roze damaged his mind and Cahil injured his body. Valek was surprised he didn’t kill the captain. “Are there guards watching him?”
Ari shook his head. “He’s not going anywhere. Not anytime soon. What’s going on?”
Valek gave him a quick update. “I need you to create a distraction at the Keep’s gate,” Valek said.
“When?”
“Now.”
Ari glanced at the door. “All right. I just helped carry in a couple unconscious men. I could say there’s more injured people and I need help.”
“Sounds good.”
They left the infirmary. Ari ran to the gate and yelled about an emergency, leaving one guard behind. Valek mounted and Kiki trotted up to the man.
He waved his arms, yelling, “Whoa. Stop.”
Kiki stopped, reared up, and kicked him in the chest. Hard enough to send him flying into the wall. He banged his head and slumped to the ground. Handy. The horses jumped the barrier with ease.
The streets of the Citadel were also teaming with soldiers hunting for Yelena and Leif. Without being asked, Kiki avoided the searchers. Thank fate her and Rusalka refused to wear horseshoes.
“South gate,” he told her.
It took the rest of the night, but they approached the gate without being seen.
“Rather early to be leaving,” the main guard at the gate said. “We’re on alert.”
“I heard,” Valek said reasonably. “Do I look like the person you’re seeking?”
“No, but you have two horses.”
“That I do.” Valek leaned forward. “Can you keep a secret?”
The man’s hand rested on the hilt of his sword as his expression turned wary. “It depends.”
“This extra horse is my soon-to-be fiancé’s horse. Well, if she says yes.” He winked. “If her father finds out, though…” Valek sliced his finger across his throat. Then he fished out two gold coins and gave them to the guard. “Wish me luck?”
The man pocketed them and laughed. “Good luck.” He waved Valek through the gate.
Kiki broke into a gallop as soon as they were out of sight. Two miles later, they found Leif and Yelena’s camping spot. He noted they hadn’t lit a fire. Smart.
Yelena met his gaze. Her shoulders were slumped, and exhaustion creased her face.
“You know?” he asked.
“Yes.”
