Page 27 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

Tonight, I would be free of him. Free of this bond. Free to return to Kiraz and never look back.

I just needed to survive the next few hours without revealing a single thought of escape.

The gathering stretched interminably, a parade of shadow nobility vying for Hakan’s favor while stealing curious glances at me. I played my role perfectly—the composed, if reluctant, bride. I endured the continued scrutiny of Hakan’s subordinate lords with their calculating gazes following my every move as I circulated through the room.

“Still breathing, I see.” Azra materialized beside me with that unsettling way the shadow-born had appeared without warning. Her obsidian eyes assessed me with predatory interest. “Afteryesterday’s…display, I half expected you to be hiding in your chambers.”

“Disappointed?” I maintained my composure despite the revulsion crawling beneath my skin.

She smiled, revealing teeth too sharp to be human. “Merely curious. Most light-bearers would shatter after being handled so…publicly.”

“I’m not most light-bearers,” I replied evenly.

“No,” she agreed, her gaze flicking to where Hakan stood across the room. “You’re not. Which makes me wonder what exactly he sees in you beyond the obvious political advantage.”

She didn’t know anything about our past.

Before I could respond, I felt Hakan’s attention shift toward us, his awareness pressing against our bond with warning intensity. Azra sensed it, too, her smile widening.

"Possessive, isn't he?" she murmured before drifting away, darkness clinging to her the way a second skin would.

Two hours. I needed to endure two more hours before the gathering would reach its peak, when the ancient Karanlik Ayini ritual would demand everyone's attention. Then, in that instant of distraction, I would slip away.

I noted the hulking Koruma guards stationed at the main exits and the thinner presence near the eastern corridor that led to my escape route. The timing would need to be perfect—the second when the shadow flames were kindled and the room fell to darkness.

I circulated carefully through the crowd, memorizing exits, noting which passageways were guarded and which were not. All the while, I maintained a thin stream of carefully manufactured emotions through the bond—irritation, resignation, occasional flashes of fear when Hakan's subordinates came too close. Nothing to suggest my imminent flight.

Eventually, I found myself near the western alcove, where a servant was arranging bottles of some dark spirit for later in the evening. It offered a moment of relative privacy.

“Enjoying yourself?” Sarp materialized beside me, his usual casual demeanor somehow off.

“Immensely,” I replied dryly. “Nothing quite like being surrounded by creatures who view you as an appetizer.”

Sarp chuckled, but his eyes remained serious. “Be careful tonight, Ada.” His voice dropped lower. “He is much more aware of you than you realize.”

I stiffened. Did he suspect? “I’m always careful.”

“Are you?” He sipped his drink. “Because I’ve noticed you studying exits with rather obvious interest.”

My heart stuttered. “I don’t know what you’re?—”

“I’m not going to stop you,” he interrupted. “But he will catch you. And when he does…” Sarp’s gaze flicked to where Hakan stood across the room, deep in conversation yet somehow still aware of my location. “He’s cruel, and the darkness has corrupted his mind.”

Ada

The ancient stone walls of Hakan’s shadow palace loomed around me, oppressive and watchful, when the gathering began to shift. Guests moved toward the central chamber where the ritual would soon commence. Servantsextinguished half the lights, plunging the hall into shadow relieved only by flickering braziers.

Perfect.

I waited until Hakan was surrounded by his demonic kin, their attention focused on the ancient text being brought forth. Three shadow lords stood between him and the eastern exit—the very lords who had been drinking steadily all evening, their attention wavering.

Moving with practiced calm, I backed toward a servant’s passage, as if merely seeking a moment’s respite from the oppressive shadow magic. No one noticed as I slipped through the narrow doorway, then quickly navigated the darkened corridor beyond.

My heart thundered, but I forced myself to move methodically. Running would attract attention. Instead, I walked with purpose, as if on an errand. When I reached the kitchens, I turned left instead of right, following the path I had mapped out during my restless exploration of the estate these past days.

The eastern wing was deserted, just as I'd observed during my careful reconnaissance over recent nights. I hurried now, lifting my skirts to move faster. Three nights ago, during one of my sleepless walks, I had discovered the hidden passage entrance behind a tapestry after roaming the corridors. Yesterday, Melo and I had carefully explored its route and confirmed it led to freedom—a calculated insult, hiding our escape route behind the image of Hakan's father.

My fingers found the concealed latch, and the panel swung open to reveal a narrow, dusty corridor. Freedom lay just beyond, a straight shot to the Peri Bacalari where Nadine waited with Kiraz. I stepped inside, pulling the panel closed behind me.

---