Page 69 of Chaos Tempted

Roused by his name, Jaden blinks open his eyes and gives us all a half-hearted smirk. “Escaping without me?”

I throw myself onto him and hug him tightly. “Never.”

Rhys helps my mates to their feet, and the group heads to the stairs.

Oakes slings Jaden’s arm over his shoulder and carries most of his friend’s weight.

Fortunately, Eldrin can mostly walk on his own, but I help him as much as I can.

The Elven guards, Corwin and Baelen, push ahead of Rhys. Corwin says to the commander, “We should be the face the humans see as we escape.”

Rhys presses his lips together but nods his understanding. The elves are trying to give him plausible deniability of his involvement.

Corwin climbs the stairs as we follow close behind. A hall guard at the entrance turns when he hears the footsteps of an escapee.

With a quick punch to the face, the dungeon guard goes down. Corwin checks the corridor. Fortunately, it’s empty. “Hurry!”

I glance over at Oakes and Jaden and sigh with relief that Jaden’s color is returning. I was too close to losing my love forever.

I hear shouts in the distance. The castle’s outer courtyard is buzzing with soldiers gearing up their horses to fight off the ghouls.

“Head left,” Rhys hisses. “Your horses are in the royal stables. Thankfully, not the soldiers’ stables.”

Our large group runs down the long hallway to the left. The elves are naturally light on their feet. Even Jaden is now moving on his own.

We enter the stables without incident and quickly ready ourselves for escape.

Then we hear someone down at the end of the building who has ducked behind a horse.

My senses pick up on the source. “Twyla?”

The princess peers around her horse’s head warily. “I don’t want any trouble.”

“Neither do we.” I frown. “But what are you doing here?”

Twyla looks determined. “I’m going out to stop the ghouls.”

“How are you going to do that?” Rhys cuts in, suspicion blatantly clear in his tone.

Twyla glances at Rhys and the Elven guards, not wanting to confess her secrets. She raises her chin defiantly. “By fighting.”

I nod to the others and order, “Get your horses.” I then rush over to Twyla and grab her arm, bringing her close. “What do you plan to do?” I whisper.

“I can talk to creatures,” Twyla confesses. “Maybe I can stop them.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise. This is probably why I could persuade the bear to leave me alone and why creatures take to me so easily. I have beenmirroringTwyla’s power. “I don’t think you will be able to get through to these particular ghouls. Someone has been putting the ghouls under a spell to attack humans in Elfhame. I assume a similar spell is being used here now.”

“I need to try. They are hurtingmypeople.” Twyla’s distress sounds genuine.

“You really care about the mortals?” I glance back at the elves as they finish saddling their mounts.

“I do. And I love King Nathaniel.” Twyla hops into her saddle. “Now, let me see what I can do.”

“Don’t make me regret trusting you,” I warn. The power of my words hit Twyla. It’s a threat and a promise to end Twyla’s reign by exposing her origins, which probably means ending her life.

Twyla visibly swallows, knowing I’m deadly serious. “Get your elves to safety.” She charges out of the stables at a gallop.

I hurry over to my mates.

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