32. Kiera

Chapter 32

Kiera

“It’s close to sunset.”

I smiled at Melaena, who lounged on the couch opposite me in the sitting room of The Silk Dancer . “There aren’t any windows in here. How do you know?”

She popped another grape into her mouth and grinned. “I have a sense about these things.”

I’d spent the last few hours dancing with the other girls, then had a late dinner with Melaena. She’d ordered roasted chicken and a pot of melted chocolate to dip fruit and cubes of cheese into.

It’d been two days since I spent the sunset on top of the Temple with Aiden—a memory I would keep close for the rest of my life. Being up there with him had felt so dangerous, yet exhilarating. Not unlike how I felt about Aiden himself.

After touching the last bell, I’d wanted to fly back into his arms and stay there all night.

But then Librius had interrupted us, and Aiden had hurried me downstairs before disappearing with a whispered apology.

I swiped a bit of chocolate from the rim of the pot and licked my finger clean. “You know, I may have to live here now if you keep feeding me like this.”

She shrugged. “Chocolate bribes always work with me. I thought they might with you too.”

“You really think I’d be able to stay here and live with you after... after everything?”

“I do. With poor Asher gone and a new, benevolent king on the throne, you wouldn’t have to hide anymore.”

I chuckled dryly. “I’m still an escaped prisoner and a thief.”

“All for the glory of a better Rellmira. At the very least, you should be a free woman, if not a hero.”

The chocolate seemed to harden in my belly. “Do you truly think an assassin should be called a hero?”

She frowned, twirling a long curl around her finger. “Aiden’s not doing what he is for the glory. Trust me, that man would rather disappear back into the forests of Twaryn than be paraded around as the savior of Rellmira. But sometimes... sometimes the only choices are ugly ones.”

I leaned forward, hardly daring to speak the thought that had been spinning around my mind for days. “Do you think there could be another way? A way to get Weylin to leave peacefully? Exile, maybe?”

Melaena smiled sadly. “You know what he’s done to stay in power, Kiera. You know what he did to attain that power. Do you really think he would step aside for his son? Or for the true heir?”

I growled, getting up to pace. “But aren’t we just repeating history, then? How is this any better than what Weylin did to Aiden’s father?”

“Aiden’s father was a good man. Kind and fair. Many of the charitable initiatives he put in place were overturned by Weylin. As if he were trying to scour away every mark Tristan had tried to make.” She shook her head, the ornaments woven in it tinkling. “This isn’t a best friend lying and manipulating his way to the top, only to stab his benefactor in the back and take what was his. This is justice.”

Justice. The word Ruru had used. They truly thought they were fighting for what was right. This was war for them, and Weylin’s death was the victory. Or rather, Everett taking his place.

But was I any better?

I had lied and manipulated my way into this group. If I obeyed Father and gave him everything he wanted from me, I would also be betraying my friends, especially Aiden. They might also die because of me.

Fucking Four, I was no better than my father.

“Kiera? What’s wrong? You look pale.”

I blinked, the room coming back into focus. “I’m fine. Just tired, that’s all. I should probably go.”

“See? You know it’s close to sunset too,” Melaena said with a smile that didn’t quite reach her worried eyes.

Someone pounded on the locked door.

I froze, whipping out two of my knives before Melaena called out, “Yes?”

A boy’s voice spoke. “Miss Melaena? I’m sorry, there’s a woman?—”

“Melaena? It’s Lady Helene! Please, I need to speak with you.”

Melaena flew off the couch and flung the door open.

A woman and a young girl burst into the room past a flabbergasted Elias.

My heart sank. Lady Helene and little Lady Isabel. Garyth’s family. Isabel clutched a wooden box with holes in it. She’d brought her gods-damned lizard.

The beautiful, laughing woman I’d spied on was now a mess of panic. Strands of auburn hair flew from her tight bun. Her eyes were red and watery with tears. She clutched a satchel in one hand, and her daughter’s hand in the other.

“That will be all,” Melaena told Elias, and shut the door in his face. “Please sit, Lady Helene. What’s happened?”

Helene and Isabel took the seat I’d vacated with barely a glance in my direction. I quickly sheathed my knives.

“It’s Garyth,” Helene said, her voice cracking. “Renwell is arresting him.”

No, no, no.

“Gods help us.” Melaena sank to the couch.

Helene uttered a dry sob. “One of Garyth’s allies tipped him off, said R-Renwell was coming for him with a unit of those awful guards of his. He told us to come here. That you would help us get out of the city. He—he—” Helene started to cry in earnest. But she opened her bag and shoved a handful of papers into Melaena’s hands. “Th-those are everything he has from our allies. We c-can’t let Renwell find those.”

The letters. More than what I’d found in his hiding place. This was what Renwell was looking for. Evidence of those who wanted to bring back the People’s Council—the same people who wanted to see my brother named king in place of my father.

These letters were going to be the death of Garyth. Just as the heist had been Asher’s.

“Renwell was crashing into the house as we left,” Helene said. “The Noble Quarter gate was barred and guarded, which means he’ll know we’re still here and will come looking for us any moment. We have to leave!”

Melaena nodded as the letters trembled in her hands. “I have to hide these. But if he comes here—if I’m not here?—”

“I’ll take the family,” I spoke up.

All three of them stared at me as if remembering I was even here.

“Who are you?” Helene asked in a shrill voice.

Isabel studied me with suspicious eyes. Did she recognize me without my mask?

“Kiera...” Melaena breathed. “You don’t know Renwell like I do. You weren’t in the city when he was ferreting out rebel sympathizers. That tunnel you use”—she gestured behind me—“is the one my parents used to smuggle out the few sympathizers he didn’t find first.”

My heart twisted. Why didn’t Julian use it then?

“I know what Renwell is capable of,” I gritted out. After Aiden’s story on the roof of the Temple, I wondered what other sort of dirty work my mentor had done for his king. “But you need someone to get these two out of Aquinon. You stay. Hide the letters and stall Renwell as long as possible.”

Gods, what was I doing? What was I doing? Renwell would kill me for this.

My gaze dropped to the little girl clutching her ill-gotten pet.

But I couldn’t live with myself if I let him take them too.

I stabbed the sun button with my thumb, and the panel creaked open. “Let’s go,” I snarled.

Helene staggered to her feet, hope and caution mingling in her desperate eyes. “How do I know if we can trust you? I don’t even know who you are!”

I hesitated.

But Melaena spoke for me. “Her name is Kiera, and you can trust her. Go!”

That was enough to spur Helene into dragging her daughter toward me. As they climbed into the tunnel, I looked past them to Melaena.

“Don’t get in his way,” I told her. I could only protect her so much, and that killed me.

She nodded, her chin lifted and her spine straight.

I hurried into the tunnel and latched the door behind me.

“I don’t like the dark!” Isabel’s voice sounded so young and thin. “And neither does Captain!”

I pushed past them to lead the way. “Captain? Is that the name of your pet?”

“Yes, he’s a lizard and loves the sun. He’s scared.”

Helene tried to hush and comfort her daughter. Gods, we didn’t have time for this.

“Is he a pirate?” I asked, feeling my way through the tunnel. “Is that why you named him Captain?”

“Yes.” Isabel sniffled. “I made him a little hat too, but—but I left it behind. With Father.”

Pain clawed at my heart. I knew what she was feeling. What she’d be feeling for the rest of her life.

“You can make him a new one,” I said firmly. “But he doesn’t need one. It’s not the hat that makes him a captain, it’s how brave he is when he’s scared. You’ll have to show him how.”

“I—I want Father,” she whispered.

My throat thickened. But thankfully, Helene answered her. “I want him too, Izzy. But he wants you and me to be safe right now. We should do that for Father, yes?”

“Yes.”

Gods damn it, how many mothers and fathers had been lost over a crown? Brothers, sisters, friends... It had to stop.

I sent up another silent prayer for Melaena just as we reached the hatch. I shoved it open with my shoulder.

We tumbled out into the warehouse, panting in the gloomy light. I closed the tunnel and laid a tarp over the top.

“Where do we go now?” Helene asked.

Could I simply take them to the city gate? Would they let us out?

Do not leave the city.

My fingers curled into fists. The sun was probably behind the wall by now. The Wolves would be out any moment. Renwell would be coming from behind us with more Wolves.

We had to keep going, and fast.

Gregor. Ruru had told me that was the guard who would let us out if we needed to escape after we blew up the Old Quarter.

Would he let us out now?

I mapped our route in my head. I could take the most direct one—the main city road. But what if Renwell had set guards to watch it? That meant slinking through the labyrinth of the Old Quarter, which would take us right by?—

“Walk fast and keep quiet,” I said. “Cover your faces if you can.”

One of them whimpered, but they both drew hoods over their heads. I strode over to the door, twisted the lock, and ushered Helene and Isabel through. After I wedged the door shut, I hesitated. I could relock it using the pins I always kept in my hair, but that would take too much precious time.

“Gods damn it,” I swore under my breath. Hopefully, Aiden would understand.

We plunged into the nearest alley. Everyone’s doors and windows were already shut tight. The violet sky deepened to black like a bruise. I started to run.

Please be there. Please be there.

I raced up the stairs to our apartment and wrenched the door open.

Aiden and Nikella whipped their heads toward me from where they sat at the table.

I sagged with relief. “G-Garyth’s been arrested,” I gasped. “Need to get them out.” I stepped aside to show Helene and Isabel bumbling up the stairs behind me. “Had to leave the warehouse unlocked.”

Aiden sprang to his feet, his chair falling backward. “Never mind that.” He seized his daggers and shoved them into his belt and threw on his cloak. “Renwell?” he spat out.

I nodded.

Nikella didn’t speak a word. Simply grabbed her wooden staff from where it leaned against the wall and stuffed something from the table into the pocket of her Teacher’s robe. She tugged the long hood over her head.

“Maz and Ruru?” I whispered to him.

“Temple. Find them and tell what happened and that we’ll be back.”

“No. I’m coming with you.”

Aiden’s eyes hardened. “Absolutely not. You’re staying with Maz and?—”

“ No . I told these two I would get them out of the city, and that’s what I’m going to do.” My heart drummed at a frenzied pace, but I held firm. It was my fault they were on the run. It was my fault Isabel was going to lose her father.

“Let her come, Aiden,” Nikella said sharply. “We don’t have time for this.”

My eyebrows lifted at the unexpected support.

Aiden growled, raking his hands through his hair. “Fine. Stick close together. Nikella, cover our backs.”

Helene’s eyes widened as Aiden stalked past her. “You’re the one my husband talked about, aren’t you? The one he never met.”

Aiden’s jaw tightened. “Let me handle all the talking.”

Isabel huddled closer to her mother as Aiden led the way back down the stairs.

The shadows had grown longer, filling the alleys. Clouds drifted over the moon and stars.

We were out of time.

Aiden kept up a pace just shy of a run. I stayed close to Helene and Isabel, knives in hand. Nikella drifted behind us, a silent guardian.

The journey felt interminable.

My heart jumped into my throat every time a pebble rolled or wood creaked. But no one appeared from the shadows.

Was Renwell still in the Noble Quarter? Had he searched The Silk Dancer yet? Thank the gods I hadn’t told him about the tunnel. That little secret might save us.

A warm glow melted through the shadows as we neared the taverns and inns that crowded near the city gate.

Hope fluttered through my chest. We were almost there. We were going to make it.

We wove around shuffling pedestrians, trying to stay together. The enormous city gate stood halfway open. Guards lined the top and bottom of it, lit by bouquets of torches.

Aiden’s eyes darted about until they fastened on a heavyset man between the gate and the stables. “That’s him. I’ll?—”

“Aiden!” Nikella’s cry slashed my hope like a cold knife.

We turned to see a dark figure galloping down the main road on a black horse. Renwell. A fleet of Wolves sprinted in his wake, their masks glistening.

Someone screamed, and chaos unleashed. People scattered and dove for open doors or dark alleys. Guards shouted. Someone plowed into Isabel, and she dropped her box.

Nikella snatched it and shoved it back in her arms. “Run! I’ll hold him off!”

Aiden seized a shaking Helene and Isabel. “Kiera! Let’s go!”

I held back, catching a fistful of Nikella’s cloak. “Don’t! He’ll kill you, Nikella!”

She shook me loose, her scarred face taut with resolve. “No, he won’t.”

“Yes, he will! You don’t know?—”

“I do know.” Nikella threw back her hood. “He’s my brother.”

Then she strode forward to meet him.