A Queen of Thieves & Chaos (Fate & Flame, #3)

I’m sure I hit an artery. Maybe I can humor him long enough that he’ll bleed out. “The gates are sealed. No one in or out.”

“I heard my sister escaped by skiff.”

“The port is sealed too.”

“I think we should try our luck, anyway, don’t you?” My shoulders scream as he pulls my arms back tighter. “How do we get to the water from here?”

I sigh. “I know a way.” A long way that he’ll struggle with, injured so. It might give me a chance to escape him. “I will get you there as long as you let me go.”

“Bartering, are we? How about I promise not to kill you?”

“Do you actually know how to keep your word?” Doubtful.

“Let’s find out.” He gives me a shove. “Which way?”





CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO




ROMERIA


The sun is touching the horizon when Jarek and I push through Cirilea’s sanctum doors, the children all safe in Ulysede, including Dagnar who we discovered charging through the royal garden like a wild boar, frantically searching for his mother.

Smoke and shouts and ringing steel greet us, spiking my adrenaline to new levels. It’ll be dark soon and easier to move without notice, but for now, we draw our cloaks and hope for clear passage.

Jarek stalls, listens. “That’s not coming from the port. It’s coming from the castle. That is not us.”

Both relief and new dread emerge. “Seamus said a rebellion was brewing.” He hinted that any day now, the people would revolt. It makes sense that it would happen once the king and army had left the city.

“It appears it has finally come. The people feel they have nothing to lose.”

“Will they get inside?”

“Eventually, yes. But that is not our problem. It works to our advantage. If the king’s guard is defending the castle, they’re not at the docks.” Jarek scans the street before ushering me on with a hurried “Come.”

The route to Port Street has become familiar to me. I run alongside Jarek, his blades drawn, my affinities simmering, through wafts of rancid air as we pass hanging corpses that need to be cut down and buried. Few people are on the streets, and they have no interest in tangling with two cloaked figures. Many are moving in the same direction as we are, their arms clutching children not yet taken by Boaz or whatever belongings they could grab on their hurried way. However Seamus spread the message, it worked.

The lower city buildings give way to a view of the bay, and a burst of joy hits me at the litter of skiffs already in the water, sailing out, loaded with people. “It worked. We actually pulled this off!” I manage between ragged pants.

“Do not celebrate yet,” he warns. “The ships are still at port, including the Silver Mage.” The biggest of all, by far.

We rush ahead toward the long line of mortals impatient to find passage. A guard lays facedown, a letter with my handwriting and the king’s seal still in his grip. “I guess he didn’t buy that?” The shallow waters below reveal hints of armor. More fallen guards, more letters.

My chest tightens.

“We tried the peaceful way first. You do not have to like it, but you must accept it.” Jarek steps over the corpse. “They did what they had to do.”

Not much is going according to plan today, but the mortal children are out and many ships’ worth of innocent people will be sailing from here. That is no small victory.

We rush toward the Silver Mage, Jarek shouting, “Move!” Mortals huddle out of the way.

“No pushing! There’s room for all of ya!” Pan calls out over the noise, trying to manage the crowd as Gesine and Zorya guide people along the boarding plank. Seamus and his people usher them downstairs.

“I wouldn’t say that.” Jarek regards the lengthy line and then the other ships. They’re filling up, too, their decks swarmed with clusters of people as crews unfasten lines in a rush, preparing to sail.

At the Silver Mage’s helm are Horik and Kaders. “Why is Horik holding a sword to him?”

“Because he deserves it, but let’s find out the reason.” Jarek pats Zorya’s shoulder once on his way past, hopping on the deck.

“Your Highness.” Gesine dips her head in greeting as I follow Jarek, earning a few curious glances.

“Have you seen Wendeline?” I ask.

She shakes her head and my worry grows. Wendeline is the one marking all the mortals. She’ll be a target for revenge.

I move past Gesine and grab Seamus’s arm to get his attention.

He grins and clasps my hand. “The south wind blows tonight.”

I return the smile despite everything. “And the north wind answers. You delivered on your promise.”

“And you delivered on yours. The seamen were eager to leave, and when the bells started tolling, even more so. Only one was in too much of a rush to wait for gold and passengers. The Tempest.” He nods toward a ship halfway out of the bay. “That surprised me. Aron’ll do just about anything for a payday.”

“Then Aron better hope he never meets me.”

“He may be foolish enough to show up at Northmost, but knowin’ him, he’ll sail all the way to Westport.”

At least it’s only one ship out of more than a dozen. “Have you seen the priestess?”

“Not since the ruckus at the castle started and the captain dragged her back with him.”

I curse. But maybe Boaz can keep her safe. I fetch an emerald I brought from Ulysede’s vault and place it into Seamus’s palm. “For your help leading them from Northmost to Ulysede. There’s another to match when you deliver them.”

His eyes widen. He quickly tucks it into his satchel with a nod and glances around. “I will do my best.”

I offer another thanks and then rush up the stairs to the navigation deck where Kaders looks ready to piss his pants.

“He tried to sail off,” Jarek explains.

“Aye, ya didn’t say you’d be slaughtering half the king’s guard!” Kaders scowls at the legionary.

My anger flares. “We paid you to take a hull full of mortals.”

“An’ the Silver Mage will never be welcome back after this.” Kaders points to the castle, where an orange glow grows. “You didn’t pay me enough.”

I’m not about to be shaken down by this guy. “We made a deal, and you are going to honor it.”

“This is still my ship!”

“And Her Highness thanks you so much for your service that one of her legionaries will accompany you, to ensure you have no challenges.” Jarek drops a heavy hand on the captain’s shoulder as he nods at Horik.

Horik dips his chin. “It would be my honor.”

Kaders’s face fills with confusion. “Her Highness?”

I slip my mask free for a moment, just long enough to watch the sailor’s mouth drop. “You.” He may not recognize Princess Romeria, but he recognizes when he’s been duped.

Horik clasps hands with his commander. “Until next time.”

“And there will be one,” Jarek answers before we’re moving again, rushing down the stairs. “The ship is almost full. They’ll be sailing soon.”

“Is it safe to have Horik so close to the sirens?”