"Seems we're fated to be captured and escape together.” He glanced back. "It's romantic, don't you think?"
"If you flirt with me on our trip, I'll cut your head off."
"I take it back. It's absolutely not romantic," Ferris quickly amended. "That one over there's a bit shorter. His armor should fit you."
"And you think they'll just let us walk out?"
"That's the plan."
"One more thing," I said. "My sword—I need it to cast."
A victorious smirk spread across his lips. "Oh, don't you worry about that. I had a feeling you might need it. I sent my spirit back to fetch it while we rode out of the city. It's hidden in a snow pile, outside the walls."
I stared at him in surprise. "Fine. Maybe you are useful."
Ferris opened his mouth to say something—to flirt, probably. He bit his tongue and looked away.
Maybe he'd keep his head a little while longer.
"Oh, and Diar?" He pulled the stolen helm over his eyes. "You're welcome."
I did not wantto leave home without my horse. Sneaking back to the manor would be reckless and lead to our capture. With a heavy heart, I resigned myself to leaving Arrow behind.
Once we'd escaped the dungeons, Ferris had shoved a hooded cloak over my head and made me pretend to be a healer. He remained covered in Tsuyan armor, the simple chainmail and deep blue tabard of the guard.
It seemed a needless ruse. The city was occupied with everything else—death, injuries, destruction. An air of jubilation mingled with horror. They'd survived the night, but what did such an unprecedented assault portend?
I glanced behind me as we headed for the quiet, western gate. Father had underestimated us both.
For Ferris' part, I couldn't blame my father. The prince had hidden his magic and catalyst well. Not even King Ailithir knew about it.
As for me . . . even now, my father thought me useless. Incapable.
We'd meet again if the Archdruid approved me.
What would I say to him, then? For the first time in my life, I'd face my father as someone he could not touch.
The western gates were paltry compared to Tsuyan's other entrances. A gate barely wide enough to fit a wagon led out to a thin road that weaved through dense forest and rolling hills. Two guards stood on the ramparts, eyes to the wilderness. One clutched his long bow with quivering hands.
Ferris shifted behind me, pressing a hand to my back as he hurried me through the gates.
For a moment, I thought we'd made it.
"Hey," one of the guards called. "Where are you two going?"
Ferris froze and slowly turned. I expected him to come up with some extravagant lie.
Swirling winds tore through my hair as the emerald dragon erupted from thin air. Ferris flicked his wrist. A sharp crack of thunder boomed beside my ears, and I pressed my hands to them, wincing in pain.
The force of the thunder slammed into the walls, rattling the stone and throwing the guards off their platform. I heard them shriek in surprise as they fell.
"Time to go.” Ferris grabbed my wrist and hauled me down the road.
"Why did you do that?" I hissed.
"You're one to talk! You punch first and ask questions later." He shot me a wicked grin. "I'm a rebel, remember?"
I was going to kill him the moment I didn't need him anymore.
