Page 55 of Ties of Shadow

I strode to the wardrobe. Afraid of getting caught, afraid of the caves, afraid to see my father, afraid to be seen by anyone. What if I had been utterly forgotten?

“Good,”the bat said. “You should be afraid.”

Debating which gown one should wear to climb through mines—and ultimately to see the queen again—I pulled out a black dress. Jamison snorted. I rolled my eyes. “Fine. You pick.”

With a flap, the bat maneuvered over my shoulder.“There. On the far right.”

A thick leather and canvas ensemble pressed against the wood. I removed it from its hook. “Jamison, these arepants.”

“They are.”

“I’m a girl!”

“Girls have legs. Legs can wear pants.”

“What would my father say?” I glanced at the outfit again. The elbows and knees were reinforced, and a thicker boned vest would protect my middle. It did look utterly practical. “Who cares what my father would say.”

“Attagirl. Get dressed. I’ll go ready the team.”Jamison flapped away.

My shaky hands got the job done, and I was pleased with what I saw in the mirror. The warm tunic hung long over my thighs, and the gloves came with gauntlets and buckles. I also found tall leather boots that covered the front of my knee. I looked daring and courageous—and more things I would never have described myself with before. I turned to the side and eyed my legs. If Prince Leon could only see me now, he might kick me out of his court for the embarrassment. The lack of encumberment of my stride, however, traveled to my heart and I felt…giddy. Uncomfortable, perhaps, but—dare I say—unhindered. I grinned wickedly.

I nearly pranced my way to the entryway which buzzed with activity. The hallway was lined with two groups of animals—both day and night creatures on each side. The Shade sat in the middle, reviewing a parchment on the table as his shadow idly stirred his tea.

“Is everyone coming with us?” I asked as I sat beside him.

He glanced up. “Some will come, but most will stay. They are deciding amongst themselves who is going.”

The wolves were engaged in a growling debate, the crows cawed and strutted away from each other in groups of five, and the snow leopard slumped in a lazy stretch before the kitchen door. I opened a mental window a small amount to try to understand their discussion, but it was too much. I slammed it shut, barraged by the cacophony. They could sort that out themselves. The table held three leather bags: the pink solution in one, and a mix of the other healing and toxic potions in the other two. A small pouch beside them contained the sleeping potions. Uncle Koll burst from the kitchen and set bags of food on the table. An owl dragged a carafe of hot water, and a small hawk grabbed Uncle Koll a mug of his own. The older man was also clad in leather gear.

“You’re coming with us?”

His dark eyes gleamed. “Don’t sound so astonished, young lady. I’m not dead yet.”

My cheeks burned. “I didn’t mean—”

“Ha! I tease, I tease. I’ve got to keep these old bones moving. Plus, you’ll need my skill with the earth, as you all plan to be surrounded by it.”

I shuddered.

“We’ll go down the spyring path, I think. Jamison has reported that it connects with one of the larger mine shafts on this side.” The Shade slid the map toward me. The three mountains reached to the top of theparchment, and various lines connected up and down and across the space beneath them. Three lines went to the surface of the mountain near the Shade’s home.

“What are those?” I asked, pointing to the lines.

“Those are the tunnels that release the most of the smoke and acid I get blamed for.” He pointed to a large green-shaded circle. “They mine for luz on the other side, but they must burn it near me to filter out the particulates that make it so bright.” He cleared his throat. “I’d be glad if that would stop.”

“We’ll connect here,” he continued, running his finger along the path. “Sneak past this section of the mine and slip up to the castle. There are two entrances on this side, near the back entrance of the dungeon.”

I cleared my throat. “Where did you get this map?”

A snowy barn owl fluffed her feathers.“I obtained it from the very chambers of the traitor king regent myself.”

“The traitor king regent?”

The Shade glared daggers at the owl, who clacked her beak twice irritably, and flew out the door.

“What did she mean about King Harold?” I asked the Shade.

Rolling up the scroll, he tucked it into his outer garment. “Pay her no mind, Dayspring. We must eat and run. I do not wish to be underground for long.”

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