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I won’t let it happen. Refuse to let it happen. “Go,” I say just before we reach the window, nodding to the only exit that may keep her alive. She will have a chance without me. If I stay behind she will at least have a chance to slip away.
Her eyes widen for the slightest moment before her focus turns into steely resolve. “I’m not leaving you behind. We both go, or we both stay. And I’m not staying, so move your feet.” Her stubbornness makes me want to smile. And I would if Silas wasn’t downstairs— once again blocking not only our path to safety, but the path to Lena as well.
I take the last few steps, Ari reaching for the sill of the already opened window, placing my hands there to hold my balance. The breeze hits my face, bringing with it the undeniable smell of fresh rain. Her head moves through the open space, searching for any way down.
The storm has yet to open up its deluge, a mere sprinkle of what is to come landing on the ground below us and dotting Ari’s face before she ducks back inside. Somewhere in the distance lightning brightens the sky, followed by the low boom of thunder a breath later.
I put some pressure on my leg, and I’m met with a sickening flare of pain that causes me to tumble back onto my good leg, the suddenness pulling at the stitches in my stomach in a way that makes my vision swirl. Ari’s lips sit in a firm line, holding her breath as she witnesses the contorting of my face and the wave of dizziness that almost lands me to the floor.
There’s no way I’m making it out of this window.
Her eyes flick to the door, back to the window, then to meet my own. This may be the first time I’ve seen her speechless. The only chance I have is the stairs, with a shoal of piranhas waiting for me at the bottom.
“You go out the window, and ready our horse. I will make my way down the stairs and meet you,” I say firmly. I won’t yield on this. If I get caught, she can still get away.
“And if they see you?” If there was worry in her eyes before, now there is true fear. She isn’t sure if I can do it. And quite frankly, I’m not sure I can either.
“Then I suppose I’ll have to take a page from your book and woo Silas.” I mean it as a joke, but I’m the only one whose mouth turns upward.
She raises a single eyebrow, no time for the admonishment I know she wishes to give. “There’s a back door, behind the bathing rooms. If you can make it down without being seen, make your way there.” I nod, but neither of us moves, silence stretching between us.
She fidgets with her hands, her gaze resting upon my chest and shoulders. “This isn’t the end, Ari.” I brush my thumb across her lips, pulling her carefully into an embrace as my fingers tangle through her hair.
I don’t know if my words are true, but I will it to be so. I just found her, just found myself. For the first time, I feel hope that regret and guilt won’t rule my life forever. That somehow by living, I will make right all the wrongs I created seven years ago.
It isn’t the end.
She pulls away, her eyes darting to my side where the stitches lay just beneath my shirt. She takes a steadying breath before she speaks. “Use your sword to help you walk— to balance.” She puts the weapon in my hand. “And if they see you, stick them with the pointy end.” A gleam stirs within her eyes as they finally flit up to mine. “I will be just behind the door, waiting outside. Whatever you do, make sure you get there.”
“I will.” My eyes never leave her face. I can’t help myself as I reach for her, my hand grazing along her cheek one more time. She leans into my touch, her hand moving to cup my own.
And before I know it Ari lets go, swinging her legs up and over the side of the window. She levels one last look at me. “Be careful,” she says before gripping the edges, lowering herself down and dropping to the ground with gentlethud.A thick pile of hay eases her fall, and I release my held breath as I see her run toward the stable and a thick copse of trees.
Slowly, painstakingly, I make my way through the upper hallway, descending the stairs with a haphazard stride. Sweat drips down my brow as I make my way down, swallowing each whimper and yelp as the slightest movement sends blazing misery extending from both my injuries. I don’t let my thoughts stray from Lena and my promise to bring her home. And Ari, waiting for me just outside the door.
The sounds of revelry gets louder as I approach the bottom. I know better than to think they won’t fight me and win, even in their apparently drunken state. I slow my movements even more, keeping myself in the shadows as long as possible.
Both Shiren and John are in the room, serving and cleaning up after these men. I doubt this is their usual way of doing things, which prompts a well of gratitude to form deep inside me. They are doing this for us. They agreed to stay and oblige them in order to help us— to get the men drunk in hopes we might make our escape.
Shiren’s eyes meet mine. She doesn’t react or acknowledge my presence in any form, simply continuing to pour drinks before walking toward the innkeeper and whispering in his ear. He gives no indication of what she spoke, simply nodding his head before moving about his business.
Shiren walks to the front of the room, turning to face them and my precarious perch on the stairs. “Excuse me!” she yells over the boisterous voices of the men, effectively diverting any wayward eyes from spotting me. “Someone tells me you lot are grand singers.”
A few holler at her words, joining their voices in agreement. “Alright, alright. Settle down now.” She waits for the room to quiet, the clink of glasses finally resting against their tables. I try to hold my position, standing as still as possible despite the searing pain pulling on my leg and stomach, evening out my breaths so I can mold efficiently into the background. “I will start. And if you know it, join me for the second verse,” she relays to the group staring voraciously at her young face, waiting for their entertainment.
Shiren opens her mouth, the loveliest voice wafting through the odious crowd. The song is one I recognize, about a boy who sees a maiden as he walks to town, falling in love the moment he sees her. As Shiren moves to start the second verse, where the boy grows older and continues to pine after the maiden, the others join in.
My steps are slow as I walk around the banister, holding my breath to keep any sound from attracting the attention of Silas or his crew. I don’t see Jaren sitting amongst the crowd. My teeth grit together as I imagine what hole that snake has slithered into now, waiting to strike his poisonous venom.
The back door is in view, each breath becoming more labored as I make my way. Shiren’s song still flows through the inn, getting softer and softer with each step.Almost there.
I reach for the handle of the door, gently easing it open like I’m attempting to escape the pen of a sleeping bull and any noise would effectively wake the beast. Ari reaches her hand through, gripping my elbow to alleviate the weight on my injured leg, allowing me enough time to exit without causing further discomfort.
The door begins to close when a clang erupts from behind us, a man exiting the bathing room. Our eyes lock. There’s no time to think before Ari slams the door into his face, forcefully ending our silent retreat. The man staggers back, too stunned and in too much pain, from what I’m sure is now a broken nose, to do much else.
“Go!” She screams at me, grabbing my arm and urging me forward.
I feel the stitches pulling free as I run the last few strides to the horse, ready and waiting, clenching my teeth to keep from crying out. She leaps atop the black mare before leaning down to grab my arm, my good leg driving into the stirrup as she pulls with all her strength to land me behind her.
