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She shrugged. “Lonely people are the most desperate.”
I smiled, climbing into the carriage. It began to roll the moment I stepped inside.
The guards opened the gate and the horses sped into a trot. I pushed the curtains aside. A tall figure emerged from the doors of the Academy, rushing after the carriage until he realized he was too late. My father.
I almost felt sorry for him.
* * *
With most ofthe citizens crowding around the Academy, the streets were nearly deserted, allowing the horses to pull the carriage at a gallop. Sneaking into the neglected grounds of the First House hadn’t been a problem either, with no guards around to see us climb the fence.
We waited for nightfall on the overgrown grass. I’d changed into trousers, my ruined gown buried in the grounds of the abandoned house. Only its pearls remained in the bag I carried. They’d make a good bribe if I could find a fisherman willing to let me borrow a boat.
When the last light faded from the sky, Cait and I headed for the wall. I held a knife in each hand, the handles wrapped in leather, and I carried a long rope over my shoulder. Cait’s curly hair was coming loose around her face and her wild eyes were alive with anticipation.
I thought of the night Graham and I climbed it, remembering the lies I’d told to reassure him.
No more.
“This will be the most dangerous thing you’ve ever done,” I said. I’d climb up with my knives, then toss a rope down to Cait, but that wouldn’t make it easy.
She lifted her head. “I know.”
“Good.”
I lifted a knife and anchored it between two stones. My feet left the ground and the exhilaration of hope spurred me upward. I was on my way back to Graham, fighting to fix my mistakes. And this time, I’d be powerful enough to save him, though my title had nothing to do with it. I was powerful because I was finally making the right choice.
* * *
