Page 21 of The Rising Wave

She followed him to a long, low building that was well maintained and busy. Guards rode up in groups of two or three and swung down from steaming mounts, giving them to grooms to lead away.

A group of soldiers stood together, laughing and calling to the guards coming in, exchanging information and details of their patrols.

Luc was probably fighting a smile of satisfaction at the wealth of information swirling around them, light and easy as the evening breeze.

He was too big to miss, and she had worried he would stand out, but he moved with such confidence, even with his cloak wrapped close around him to hide the fact that he had no shirt. His stride was sure, even though she knew his stolen boots were too small. No one gave him more than a glance as he disappeared into the gloom of the stables.

She was just behind him, but as she reached the wide double doors she saw Juni, blocking their way.

His gaze was fixed on Luc, his mouth open to form his first shout.

Her heart gave a hard, painful thump in her chest, but she didn't hesitate. She pushed in front of Luc, felt the warmth of him as he crowded right up against her.

She held Juni's gaze, lifted her hand, and mimed turning a key.

Juni stared at her hand, and his mouth shut with a snap. He wanted to sound the alarm, but he lived in a brutal system that punished people harshly for no logical reason at all, let alone when punishment was actually warranted. He needed a reminder that he'd been where he wasn't supposed to be.

That he would be safer—personally safer—if he hadn't seen them escape after being down in the dungeons without permission.

He skirted around them, stepping out into the courtyard, and she heard him hail someone, his voice only a little infirm.

Behind her, Luc turned, keeping Juni in view, and then his hands came up onto her shoulders.

“Good job.” Luc's head dipped so his mouth was almost touching her ear. “I thought he was going to start screaming.”

“He may still,” she murmured. “If he has time to think about it.”

“Stand against the wall, keep to the shadows,” Luc told her, and then disappeared amongst the confusion of the horses being led in and out, the shouts of the stable hands.

When he returned, he was leading a horse that was saddled and rolling its eyes as it pranced sideways.

She fell into step with him as the last call of the day went up, the final warning for those not staying in the fortress overnight to leave.

Luc didn't mount up—even he must know his size on top of a horse would draw the eye—so Ava kept close to his side as they joined the flow of people streaming out of the gates.

It was easy enough to let the crowd sweep them under the arch of the drawbridge and onto the muddy road to freedom.

As soon as they were far enough from the gate that the torchlight no longer touched them, Luc led them off the road and into the shielding wall of trees.

Ava drew in her first full breath in a while, realizing she hadn't taken one until now. She tucked her cloak closer around her, her nose wrinkling at the smell of it. “They'll find we're missing any moment now.”

“Agreed.” Luc swung up onto the horse, held his hand out for her.

She looked at the saddle dubiously, but took his hand, let him pull her up so she was behind him.

The horse shifted uncomfortably beneath them, and she felt sorry for it.

It was in for a hard run with two riders.

Without another word, Luc urged it on.

She had to bite her lip to stop from shouting as they surged forward, as the trees flashed past them.

She was free at last.

Chapter 6

The chase began far sooner than Luc had hoped.

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