Chapter 30
Diar
My father tossed me roughly onto the cold floor of his office. I caught myself on my palms, saving my face from a nasty bruise.
General Yuudai whirled on his heel to leave.
"You're wasting everyone's time," I called, eyes fixed on the legendary bow of ice he clutched. "I can call Siotha back to me."
"And I will know, if you should. Don't make things worse than they already are," he warned, pulling the door closed behind him.
"I know how to use it," I shouted. "Akemi taught me."
Father froze. His hand tensed around Siotha, and he glanced over his shoulder. "I overlooked your brother's reckless and lawless decisions because he was my son. Had it been anyone else . . . "
"Am I not your daughter?"
Father's face hardened. "A man has little use for daughters."
The door slammed, and I heard it lock.
A few years ago, his words might have wounded me. Now, they were but confirmation of all he had never said.
Dragging myself to my feet, I leaned against his desk and rebraided my hair. When I chose to leave home, upon a spontaneous whim, I never could have imagined what would come.
Siotha had chosen me. That Solheart, Quinn, had wanted as much. He and his allies were behind the Emperor's murder. They now sought the Paragons' deaths and slaughtered cities.
And one of them had dealt the killing blow to Akemi.
Lady Rohan and Paragon Tiernan were still going to ride out and find the scáde. Alone.
Circling the desk, I peered out the window. Father strode down the promenade, a small group of soldiers in tow.
The enemy was out there, within reach. The assassins I'd never dreamed of finding, so close to their original crime.
Father didn't know me at all, if he thought this room would keep me.
Backing up, I built up momentum to kick the window open. I slammed my boot against the frame, and the lock broke with a satisfying clink. The frosted glass fractured. Frigid wind bit into the room.
Slipping over the sill, I dangled from the edge and dropped to the ground.
I landed in the snow-covered garden beds beside a cloaked man.
"Whoa!" Ferris stepped back, surprised.
"Ferris?" I hissed, equally surprised.
"I was coming to rescue you . . . " He looked up, brow knit. "I see that wasn't necessary."
"Good." I shoved him against the wall and hid us in the bushes. "Do you see any guards?"
"No," he breathed, turning his head. A curl brushed my cheek. "How did you manage to escape?"
"My father thinks I'm afraid of him."
"Are you?"
"Yes," I said quietly. "But this is more important. Come on."
