Page 192 of A Dawn of Gods & Fury

Pulling my hand to his lips, he kisses my knuckles. “Exactly what it sounds like I am suggesting. We can be anything we wish to be here, choose anyone we wish. Islor’s and Ybaris’s issues are no longer our concern.”

No, just this league of Azyr and their goal to chain me to a pool for eternity. I shove those dark thoughts out, not wanting to ruin this moment. Tyree is making plans to stay by my side, and I will let him. “Will you steal the money to pay for the ring?”

“Perhaps.” He chuckles, leaning in to brush his lips over mine once … twice … before granting me a tender kiss that transfixes me. “Nothing is too good for my Islorian princess.”

A tiny pebble hits the windowpane. Moments later, another one.

“I think someone is trying to get our attention.” Tyree slides on his breeches and heads over, unlatching the fixture and pushing it open. “What are you—” He cuts off abruptly.

A moment later, he’s rushing back into the room, collecting my clothes and tossing them at me. “Get dressed quickly,” he hisses, tugging his tunic over his head and reaching for his vest.

“Why? What’s going on?”

“The Azyr have found us.”

My stomach drops. “How?”

“It does not matter. Hurry, Annika. And do it quietly.”

I rush to dress and collect our meager belongings, stuffing them into the satchel Tyree purchased at the market. The vest he bought me hangs loose. I don’t have time to decipher the laces. My hair is another issue altogether. I was going to ask Tyree to braid it again, but there is no time now. I settle for drawing my hood up.

With a dagger in his hand, Tyree pauses behind the door to listen intently.

I move toward him, but he points toward the window.

“We are three stories up!” I mouth. If I gave voice to it, it would be a scream.

With an arm around my waist, he ushers me forward. “At least they’re not castle stories. And it is our only choice. They are in the hall, waiting. Five soldiers.”

“Waiting for what?”

“The Azyr and the royal guard, I imagine.” He pushes the windowpane open all the way and eyes a wagon full of hay sitting in the alleyway below. “Hold my hand. We will jump together.”

“But—”

“Have I not protected you this far?” I see determination in Tyree’s eyes. “Trust me again. Please.”

All I can manage is a nod and then we’re climbing up onto the window ledge. I clench my teeth to stifle the scream as we leap out.

We land in the center and sink into the bales, Tyree, cradling my head in his arms, and then we’re rolling, scurrying to the ground. Loose straw clings to my clothes once again. If we weren’t in such grave danger, this would be amusing.

Destry hides in a corner, her pendant clutched in her hand.

“What is she doing now?” I whisper.

“Something useful, I am sure.” Tyree’s head swivels this way and that as he backs us into the shadows beside her, drawing his sword.

Moments later, a swell of crows swoops down, angling at the cluster of horses by the inn’s gate. The lone soldier left there to watch them loses their reins as they buck and rear and scatter down the street.

“That should keep them busy.” Destry struggles to get to her feet, stumbling a few steps toward the opposite direction where a gate waits. “There’s a path this way.”

“What about Ezra and Uda?” I ask. “We need them to get to the port.”

“We cannot go to the port. There will be soldiers and Azyr lining the path from here to there. Besides, Ezra is likely the one who turned us in.”

I frown. “But I thought you said—”

“Forget what I said. I have too much faith in people sometimes.”

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