EM WAITED FOR Cas outside the door to the staff kitchen, as he’d instructed her. She’d changed into black pants and a loose green shirt. She rolled up the sleeves as she waited.
Cas rounded the corner with a guard, the young dark-haired one who was always at his side. The guard smiled at Em, revealing a tiny gap between his two front teeth. His square jaw, wide nose, and green eyes all worked together to make an unexpectedly handsome face.
“Mary, have you officially met Galo?” Cas asked.
“I don’t think so. Nice to meet you, Galo.”
He tilted his head forward. “You too, Your Highness.”
Cas pushed open the door behind Em, and she followed him into the kitchen, with Galo trailing behind her. The first room was where the staff ate, with a door off to the side that led to a bustling area where they prepared the food. A few small tables were scattered around the room, and a boy sat at one, polishing a pile of forks.
The boy had a small scar above his left eyebrow, and he couldn’t have been more than thirteen or fourteen, though he was already quite tall and broad. Em’s mother hadn’t allowed children under the age of sixteen to work in the kitchens, or anywhere remotely dangerous in the castle.
Cas led them outside into the sunlight. They headed through the gardens, Cas glancing back at the castle once like he was checking to make sure they weren’t followed. Em got the impression they were sneaking out, and she was eager to see how Cas was going to do it. If there was a way to get out undetected, there was a way to get in.
They made it to the back wall, and Cas walked to the tree Em had already pegged as a good escape route. He grabbed a thick, low branch and hoisted himself up. He climbed until he could step onto the wall.
“When you’re king, perhaps you can use the gate?” Galo called to him. He still stood on the ground with Em.
“Not if my mother is still alive,” Cas said. He looked down at her. “Coming up?”
“I’d be happy to help you,” Galo said.
She snorted. “Thanks, but I’m fine.” She grabbed the branch and climbed up, easily hoisting herself onto the wall. Cas was peering over, and she followed his gaze to the other side. A guard lifted his hand.
“Hello, Roberto,” Cas said.
The guard’s mustache quirked up. “Hello, Your Highness.” He reached for the rope near his feet and tossed it to Cas.
Cas passed the rope to Galo, who had just climbed the tree. Galo tied it to the trunk and waved that it was ready. Cas grasped the rope with both hands.
He braced his feet against the wall as he climbed down. She noticed that he winced as he descended, favoring his right side. The left shoulder was still sore from the attack. She tucked that into the back of her mind, in case she needed to use it against him later.
Em grabbed the rope when he was on the ground and began her own descent. Galo followed, his boots hitting the ground with a thud. He straightened and grinned at the older guard standing by the wall.
“Usual warning,” Roberto barked at Galo.
“Yes, I know,” Galo said. “Endless shame and a lifetime of misery if anything happens to Prince Casimir.” He took a quick glance at Em. “Or Princess Mary.”
“I’ll also remind you that an attempt was just made on Prince Casimir’s life,” Roberto said.
“I’ll be fine,” Cas said. He gestured at Em. “I brought her.”
Em barely managed to hold back a laugh. That was her. Protector of the prince of Lera.
Roberto pointed out at the city. “Go ahead, then. If you’re not back by sundown, I’ll alert the king that you left.”
When Cas turned away, Roberto grabbed Galo by the arm and said something Em couldn’t hear. Galo nodded, his expression more serious when the guard let him go.
Em traipsed down the hill behind Cas. It was clear and sunny, the ocean breeze rustling the leaves of nearby trees. Green grass dotted with a few trees spread out in front of them, and Cas headed to a thin dirt path.
“Did you see Royal City when you came in?” Cas asked, slowing so he was walking beside her. Galo walked on his other side, scanning the area around them. She’d never seen this guard in action, but she liked the way he didn’t keep his hand poised over his sword. She could easily take it from him, if she caught him by surprise.
“No,” she said. “The royal escorts took us around the city.”
The dirt path rounded a corner, and the sounds of people talking and hooves clomping filled the air. They were suddenly in the center of Royal City, with people streaming in and out of shops and making their way through the streets.