Ella paled. “Horrace will know Darren’s alive, Ry. He’ll know Jerar didn’t fulfill his terms.”
“I think—” Ian paused. “—I think if Horrace sees Priscilla making every effort to uphold the execution, he’ll still sign the treaty.” His eyes locked on my own. “My father met with him for years representing the rebels’ cause. Horrace is a reasonable man. The Caltothians owe us a debt for fighting their war. That’s not to say he won’t be upset.”
Alex guffawed. “Horrace might sign the treaty, but he will make it his mission to hunt the two of them to the end of his days.”
“That will be my problem, not yours.”
“But neither of you have magic!” My brother was furious. “Horrace will send his best mages, and the two of you won’t be able to fight!”
“We can still fight.” My eyes flashed. “Darren and I didn’t just train in magic, Alex.”
My brother folded his arms, and Ian looked between the two of us, mouth gaping. “Why won’t they be able to fight?”
“I lost my magic. We think Darren did too… I didn’t want to ask him around the guards.”
“It was how they both survived.” Ella shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “It wasn’t luck, Ian. They both cast a mage’s last stand. The casting couldn’t kill them since they were saving each other, so it took their magic instead.”
His eyes were wide. “Does anyone else know?”
“No.” My response was firm. “And you can’t tell them. We need every advantage we can get.”
“How would you propose the escape? There are going to be thousands of people and guards as far as the eye can see.”
“I don’t know, but it’s going to be our only chance to get Darren outside. If we try now, we’d have to fight our way through an entire fortress with an army of soldiers inside.” I swallowed. “We need the other rulers to see it so they know the Crown wasn’t involved, so Horrace sees Priscilla making her best effort to honor his terms.”
Ian cracked a smile. “Five days to plan the riskiest escape in the history of Jerar. Why doesn’t it surprise me the three of you are involved?”
“I’ll understand if any of you choose to pass.”
“Ryiah—” Ella’s fingers twined with my own, “—you don’t even have to ask.”
“It’s selfish.” I stared down at our hands. “I could be making things worse for Jerar.”
“We’ll ensure that doesn’t happen.”
I clung to that promise like it was air.
Ian cleared his throat. “I’ll help. Darren… I’m not sure what he deserves, but it isn’t an execution like this.”
“Alex?” I looked to my brother.
My twin ducked his head. “I just pray the gods are on our side.”
*
In the days that passed, I was a walking shade. The first two were restless and emotional. I spent all of my time in the prison seeing to Darren and letting the others act, but as the third drew to a close, I was tired of waiting for answers. We had only two more days to plan, and one of those would be largely impossible; the queen’s ascension was expected to last most of the sixth.
All communication was done by mouth.
It was too risky to meet again. Now that we had a plan, it was up to Ian and Ella to gather what information they could and pass it along. Alex served as communication to me, and I maintained my guise of despair.
I knew the rebels were watching me. But if my hands were clean, what could they claim?
Our first stroke of luck came the fifth morning. Until that point, we’d had no solid leads on the execution. The soldiers had started building a gallows and Ian was one of the sentries guarding its construction.
They were going to hang the king.
For a moment, I couldn’t speak.
I forgot all of our planning.
All I could hear was the thump-thump of my pulse.
How did you think they were going to kill a king? A casting of mercy? The people want a spectacle.
You should thank the gods it wasn’t the guillotine.
You can work with a noose. It will be easier to save him.
You want to save him, don’t you?
Yes?
Then pull yourself together and ask the questions that matter. You only have two more days.
I turned to my brother, my breaths shallow and fast. “What else did Ian say?”
“He’s going to get an idea of the count. He said one of the men is finalizing their numbers for Quinn. Ian’s going to try and sneak a look tonight.”
“If he fails?”
“He’ll keep talking to the others. The guards are going to need an outline for the final formation. We’ll get their positions soon. And once we know the layout, we can stash some weapons for the day.”
I nodded, heart racing. “Anything else?”
“There was another summons while you were away. Priscilla wants you to meet with her in Commander Nyx’s old chamber before dinner. The messenger specifically noted that this was not a request.”
“How am I supposed to face her?”
Alex’s hand found my shoulder. “You will find a way. And no one will suspect a thing.”
Hours later, I was put to the test.
*