Page 132 of Shadows of Winter

“But a mead maker framed her, convinced the queen she’s trying to poison her.” Vlerion glanced back down the hallway. He might have delayed those guards, but he wouldn’t have severely hurt someone on his side, and Kaylina wasn’t surprised when one surged into the doorway. “She needs to get out of here,” Vlerion added to the captain. “I’ll explain later.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Get her, Captain Targon,” the other guard yelled on his way out of the suite. “Don’t let her go!”

Targon stepped aside so Kaylina could pass while the taybarri shifted to block the hallway, to buy time for her to escape.

She appreciated that, and that Vlerion ran at her side to make sure nobody impeded her, but as they sprinted back to the dungeon—and the escape tunnel the intruders had excavated—she feared she was about to be labeled a criminal and a fugitive.

“You’re still alive,” Vlerion said softly, as if he could guess her thoughts. “There’s always hope. I’ll make sure Targon knows the truth, and I’ll do my best to explain it to the royals.”

“Thank you.”

Vlerion smiled and patted her shoulder as they descended into the dungeon. “After this, Targon would be a fool not to want to continue your ranger training.”

“After I hit a couple of people in the heads with sling rounds?”

“After you managed to shoot a weapon without falling off your taybarri. That’s an advanced skill.” He winked. “You’re a natural.”

“I just want to make mead.”

“You’re destined for more.”

EPILOGUE

Dreams won without a fight aren’t worth having.

~ Grandma Korbian

The long trip through the excavated tunnel the Virts had made, into the catacombs they connected to, and under the city to a squat stone access building beyond its walls took hours to traverse. Kaylina couldn’t complain, not when the wounded Vlerion was trekking at her side. He’d even had her wait while he slipped out near ranger headquarters, detouring to collect Frayvar and gather some supplies for them. The fact that he’d needed to do that alone, that it wouldn’t be safe for Kaylina to be seen even by the rangers, was depressing.

Night had fallen by the time they stepped out of the building on a hill overlooking the city. Snow drifted from the cloudy sky, dusting the earth and suggesting winter might never end, budding bushes nearby or not.

Shivering, Kaylina looked back across the city toward the royal castle. Frayvar had suggested they go to the harbor instead of in this direction, a direction that headed toward the druid preserve and the mountains beyond. After all, what did either of them know about surviving in the wilderness?

But Vlerion had promised that, thanks to the assassination attempt, every vessel attempting to leave the harbor would be searched. Across the miles, Kaylina could make out the lights of warships guarding the route out to sea. It might be weeks or even months before anyone could leave that way, and she doubted the passes were yet accessible for the land route.

“We should have come in the summer,” she muttered. “Or not at all.”

“At least we know people here think our mead is good,” Frayvar offered.

During their long trek, Kaylina had told him most of what had happened with Jana and the queen. Vlerion had glanced at her a few times as she’d relayed the story, but even without his presence, she wouldn’t have told Frayvar about the beast. She’d promised she would keep that secret, and she would.

What would the newspapers report about the day’s events? Maybe nothing. Maybe they wouldn’t print an iota about the insurrection, simply distributing the Queen’s Corner and her latest recommendation for a play to see.

“The only one who’s tried it is Jana, and she wants me dead.” Kaylina bent and gripped her knees, struggling not to give in to the despair that wanted to consume her.

“And my mother.” Vlerion had spoken little on their journey, leaving Kaylina and Frayvar to converse while he led the way. His expression had been grim, and it still was as he gazed toward the city instead of looking at her.

She wondered if he’d been disturbed by the carnage he’d wrought as the beast. Based on the man she’d come to know, she had to believe so. Even if those had been enemies that he would have fought as a ranger—and he had fought once they’d reached the courtyard—to tear their heads and limbs off… That was horrifying. She couldn’t blame him for it, but she had to admit that it would be good to have a few days away from him, to ponder her feelings and the future. Whatever future she could have.

“I also sampled it and enjoyed it,” Vlerion offered. “My mother is right. As is the dreadful woman who framed you. You have a gift.” Now he faced her. “You have many gifts.”

“Thank you.” Kaylina still felt like a screwup, that all of this had been her fault.

“Do you have a plan yet?”

“A plan?” She looked blankly at him.

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