I nodded, and he frowned.
“Polaire and Althy are taking Mykaela,” Likh reported. “And Kalen is breaking Khalad out. We’re to meet by the stables.”
“Where are we going?”
“Away from Odalia, but Kion seems the best choice. Daeva or not, none of us are welcome here.”
“But what of my parents? My brothers and sisters?” Concern rang in my voice.
“They’re safe,” Fox assured me. “Polaire spirited them out of the city yesterday when she learned of our arrest.”
“We can’t leave!” The thought of abandoning Kance, alone and defenseless, preyed on my mind.
“We can do nothing for him right now, Tea,” Fox reminded me gently. “You and Khalad will be of more use where they aren’t accusing us of murdering him.”
“Wait!” I grabbed at his sleeve. “We can’t leave the book behind either.”
Fox opened his mouth but didn’t have the words to disagree.
“This is no time to be salvaging a favorite novel or zivar, Tea,” Zoya said impatiently. “The king’s men may have their hands full with the daeva, but we don’t know for how long.”
“You have my word that the azi won’t destroy the city.” The less they knew, the better. Bloodletting left me feeling lightheaded so soon after Scrying, but I could feel strength leaching through my link with the azi, and I latched on gratefully. “We must make the time. It’s too important to leave this book behind.”
Zoya and Likh exchanged worried looks, but before they could react, a band of soldiers rushed in, a dozen in all…and were immediately buffeted by a gust of wind that slammed them against the wall, knocking them out.
I stared at Likh, whose forehead was creased and beaded with sweat from the strain. “You are marvelous, Likh!”
The boy grinned bashfully. “Zoya and Kalen have been teaching me runes. I don’t think the association will approve though.”
“I doubt the association will approve of anything we do today.” Zoya gestured, and another burst of air divested the soldiers of their weapons, sending swords clanking to the ground. “Be quick about it.”
I had little time to consider anyone unfortunate enough to get in my way. Advancing soldiers, scurrying courtiers, and fleeing maids all dropped, fast asleep almost as soon as Compulsion flared up. There were obvious signs of my room having been rifled through, and I could see many of my most powerful zivars and potions were missing. But my relief was palpable when I saw the familiar leather binding underneath the pile of books where I hid it.
Kalen and Khalad waited for us by the entrance to the stables. Beside them were Althy and another person, whose face was obscured by a heavy cloak. Fox froze, recognition pervading our bond even before the stranger drew back the hood. It was the First Daughter of Kion.
“What took you so long?” Althy asked me crossly, ignoring Fox completely. “All exits to the city will be under heavy guard by now.”
“What is she doing here?” Zoya asked Althy, gesturing to the princess.
The plump asha shrugged. “She insisted.”
“We’re in the company of several wanted felons, and the alarm will be raised once they realize she’s gone. This is not a good idea.”
“I think it’s a pretty good idea,” Princess Inessa said shortly. “I must return to Kion immediately.”
“You’re leaving Prince Kance?” I gasped.
“I have the most important part of him here with me.” Inessa opened her cloak. Twin heartsglass gleamed red, Prince Kance’s beside her own. “Althy says this is what they’re after, and Ankyo is the safest place for us.”
“We must sneak out while the duke’s men still engage the daeva,” Althy cautioned.
“The gates are heavily defended,” Likh pointed out.
“But wooden,” Fox added thoughtfully.
“We’ll worry about that once we’re there,” Inessa insisted.
“I cannot leave Odalia,” Mykaela whispered. She was thinner and frailer than before, leaning heavily on Polaire. Her horse familiar, Kismet, stood beside her, calm and placid. With her were three other Drychtan stallions, the best of the royal stables.
“Yes you can, Mykkie,” Polaire encouraged.
While I could understand Mykaela’s frail health, I was taken aback by Polaire’s gaunt appearance. Her cheeks were sunken, with dark circles ringing her eyes, and her dark hair had lost most of its luster. She had lost considerable weight and looked only slightly better off than Mykaela.
“What happened to you?” At my wordless command, Chief cantered out with his ears pricked, already eager to run.
The brunette only shook her head. “Don’t worry about me. Mykkie, you know as well as I do that we have no choice.”
“But—”
“It’s final, Mykkie.” Polaire’s heartsglass bore flecks of green similar to Mykaela’s. I took a closer look, saw a familiar rune spinning in the air around them, and gasped. “Heartshare!”
Polaire’s eyes widened. “How did you know about… No, now’s not the time. We’ll talk about it later. Mykaela’s heartsglass still lives somewhere in this city. Given her current health, straying too far will kill her. I’m just propping her up till we can figure out something new.” Polaire smiled nastily. “Once I’m through with that sack of dung that calls himself the Duke of Holsrath… No offense, Kalen.”
“None taken. I’m inclined to think the same way.”
“Zoya, Kalen, Khalad. You’re to assist Mykaela and Polaire.” Althy was always the quickest of us to adapt. “Don’t let either of them out of your sight.”
“Don’t treat me like one of your sick patients, Althy,” Polaire growled.
“You are a sick patient. Tea, Fox, Likh—stick close to Inessa and me. If something happens to our rose of Kion, the empress will have all our heads.”
“Stop treating me like I’m not here,” Princess Inessa complained.
Zoya took over Kismet’s reins, and Khalad climbed up behind Polaire. The latter muttered another protest but had no strength to follow through.
“I’m not going with you,” Kalen broke in.
I felt cold all over. “This is not the time for jokes, Kalen.”
“I am not leaving Prince Kance. I promised to protect him.” The Deathseeker’s fists clenched, anger and guilt spilling out of his heartsglass. “I may not have been successful at that, but I’m not going to abandon him either.”
“He isn’t in danger,” Khalad said quietly. “They have to keep his body physically healthy if they are to use his heartsglass.”
But Kalen shook his head, stubborn to the end. “That doesn’t matter. I swore an oath not to leave his side.”
“You can’t!” I cried. Strong as he was, he was no match for a whole army, and he knew it. Visions of Kalen fighting off soldiers as they surrounded and overwhelmed him until he was lost amid a sea of flashing swords, horrified me. “That’s suicide!”
“You don’t know me, Tea.”
“I don’t need to to know you’re going to die!” My voice broke. “Kalen, please…”
He paused. “I’m sorry, Tea. More than you’ll know.” He turned his horse around, and my panic rose.
I felt apprehension on Fox’s end, but he made no move to stop me when I drew Compulsion and directed it toward the Deathseeker.
“You. Will. Not. For once in your life, do as I say!”
Kalen stopped. He nudged his horse back to follow without another word, though his jaw had hardened. I could feel his outrage filtering through my shock.
I stared down at my hands, which were shaking. I didn’t want to do that, least of all to him. But what else could I do?
I was breathing hard, and there were spots in my vision. We had barely left the castle and already I felt like I could topple over any second. Wordlessly, Fox grabbed my hand and helped me onto Chief.
“Did she just…?” I heard Likh murmur, confused.
“Not now!” Zoya insisted. “Let’s move!”