Page 101 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

Tharan let out a sigh. “Well, two is better than none.”

Tharan rose, his head wobbled on his neck, but he fought past it. They needed to get out of here.

He cracked the door. Two guards stood watch outside. Quietly he shut the door again. Turning to the women, hewhispered, “If you want to leave, now is your chance, otherwise, stay here.”

The women nodded, putting on their clothes.

Tharan cracked the door again.

“Uh, excuse me. I’ve chosen, could one of you tell the king?”

The soldiers exchanged knowing glances and one left to tell the king. When he was out of sight, Tharan looped his arm around the other guard’s neck, squeezing until the guard sank to his knees. He quickly picked up the soldier’s sword and tucked it into his belt, signaling for the women to follow him.

They snuck down the stone stairs as quietly as they could, making sure to check around corners. It seemed everyone was in the throne room.

Tharan didn’t know where he was going, but away from his grandfather was their best bet.

They trekked through the massive palace until they came to a hallway filled with windows. Tharan peered out only to see frantic guards below running through the crowd, searching for something… searching for them.

His chest tightened, clearing his head that bit more, and he signaled for the women to duck down as low as they could to avoid being seen through the windows. Footsteps came from around the corner. Tharan held his breath. He was a trained swordsman, but how many were there?

Laying himself flat against the stone wall, he signaled for the women to stay still.

The footsteps grew nearer.

Tharan sucked in a breath. There were at least two of them. Two he could take on.

He raised his sword into the air before darting around the corner to bring it down upon the unsuspecting guard. But when he went to strike, he was met with Sumac and Hopper.

“What in the Trinity is going on in here?” Sumac said, dodging Tharan’s attack.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

Hopper t’sked. “Well, obviously they know you’ve escaped.” He tossed Tharan his curved sword. “They’re looking everywhere for you.”

Tharan twisted the smooth handle in his grip, remembering the feel of his weapon. Before signaling to the women to follow him. “We’re taking them with us.”

Sumac and Hopper rolled their eyes.

“You don’t always have to be the hero,” Hopper said. “We can leave people behind. We have no allegiance to these women.”

“But they need our help,” Tharan said, tossing his sword to Callini. “Follow us, protect the other women.”

She nodded, adjusting the grip on her sword. Callini cut the long skirt from her dress and proceeded to do the same for all the women.

“We can run faster without them.”

Tharan nodded.

“Sumac, you go first. Where is the rest of the Hunt?”

“They should be guarding our envoy. Others will still be guarding your chambers.”

“Very well. You go ahead with Hopper and the women and get everything ready for our escape. I need to get something.”

“Don’t risk your life on something stupid.”

“Trust me,” Tharan said, giving Sumac a devilish grin.

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