Page 93 of Queen of Serpents and Shadows

“What if we just stay like this forever?” he asked sleepily.

I looked up at him, noting that his eyes were already closed. I kissed his jaw. “One day, we will.”

35

Ara

Ryvin tossedand turned every time I took a step and I held my breath as I pulled a tunic over my head. I couldn’t risk staying too long or making too much noise. I stared at my desk, wishing I’d thought to leave the supplies out to write him a letter. If I opened the drawers, he’d be certain to wake. Instead, I left the necklace my mother gave me on my desk, hoping Ryvin understood it as my way of saying goodbye.

With my trousers and sandals in hand, I carefully opened my door and closed it as quietly as I could. Thankfully, there were no guards in my hall. I hurried to pull on my trousers and stepped into my sandals. My heart raced, certain I was going to be caught at any moment.

When I crossed into the main hall, I paused, glancingaround at all the milling soldiers. Some of them glanced my way, but they either knew who I was or didn’t see me as a threat.

I could feel their eyes on me as I walked, but I continued along with my chin high, acting as if walking through the palace in the middle of the night was something I typically did.

Hoping that Laera was staying in the same room she’d been in last time, I walked with purpose, knowing it was possible Ryvin could wake at any time. I needed to be beyond the shield before that happened.

There were no guards stationed in the halls. Probably because they needed everyone to rest tonight for tomorrow’s potential slaughter. My jaw tightened and I walked faster, hurrying to Laera’s room.

I didn’t bother knocking and was surprised to see the princess was sitting in a chair staring into a crackling fire in her fireplace.

“I wondered how long I’d have to wait before you came,” she said without turning to look at me.

“It’s not polite to be in other people’s heads,” I replied.

“I didn’t have to be in your head to know you’d do something to make yourself into the sacrificial hero.” She stood and turned to me. “It’s your story, Ara. Why the fates wanted you dead. I can’t recall another who fought for those they love rather than glory or selfish reasons. Even I have a hard time believing your motives and I can read it all. I know it’s real.”

“So you know what I’m going to ask,” I said.

She sighed. “I knew as soon as I mentioned that the shield wouldn’t keep a god out.”

“So?”

“In theory, you can leave the shield without any trouble. Getting back in could be tricky, but I don’t see that as relevant since it won’t matter by morning, anyway.”

“Because the shield will be gone, or because I will?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“Even I don’t know that,” she said.

“You’re not going to try to stop me.” It wasn’t a question. I knew she wouldn’t and it made me respect her even more.

“I’ll make sure his dreams are pleasant for the next hour to give you a head start,” she said.

My brows lifted. “You can keep people asleep?”

She shrugged.

“Thank you.”

“Go. There’s not a lot of time before sunrise,” she said.

I walked to the door, then turned to give her a nod of gratitude before I closed the door behind me.

Exitingthrough the front would draw too much attention, so I headed toward the kitchens. I didn’t expect to find Cora sitting on a counter, kicking her feet while she ate grapes from a bowl.

Her eyes widened when she saw me. She set down the fruit and hopped off the counter. She scannedmy clothing, her mouth twisting to the side as she took in my all black outfit. “Where are you off to?”

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I said.

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