it—his broken cheek pressed to her neck, his other wounds leaking blood over her silver shoulders and back.
He still had the Queensguard’s sword gripped in his swollen-knuckled hand.
78
Cab
Einan led them through back alleys. Kept them out of sight as best she could. She had cloaks for Sil and Hope and an extra one she draped over Cab. They didn’t dare use the sewers.
But they couldn’t stay on the streets forever. Twice One’s head perked up, agreeing with Hope and Sil that they needed to change their course. The Queensguard was out in full force. Busting down doors, kicking over tables, breaking bones.
If the Queensguard didn’t find them first, someone else would take note of their odd-looking group and turn them in, seeking a reward.
For Cab, strategizing through the haze of pain that had returned in his throbbing head was a challenge. One could only numb his pain and bolster his strength for so long.
The bleeding had mostly dried up. He was damp with sweat and sore to the point of total collapse when Einan finally held up a hand. Cab took stock of their surroundings. He’d been concentrating so hard on not falling off One’s back that he’d lost track of where Einan was leading them. Through one swollen eye and one good, he saw that they’d come around a back alley and into a garden, a sparse wooden fence separating it from the house behind it and the neighbors on either side. Glowbugs bobbed in the air around tall hollyhocks. Einan rapped twice on the back door.
Am I going to die? Cab asked One.
Not while I still live, One replied. I’d never attach myself to someone so rude.
Cab’s arm trembled where he held on to One for support. He flinched when the door opened and golden light spilled out onto him.
Uaine stood in the open doorway, gray hair tied back with a red rag.
She surveyed the group. Cab, broken and bleeding; his silver lizard, who still looked like a dog in company; two short fae draped in black cloaks; and Einan. Without a word, Uaine stood aside, holding the door open to let them in.
Cab murmured his thanks, tasting blood on his teeth. Einan took him by the arm, more gentle than he’d thought her capable of, and steered him toward the kitchen sink.
“Sit.” She pointed to a three-legged footstool. Cab sank onto it gratefully. One curled up at his feet. Sil and Hope were led to the table. Uaine went about the business of closing her shutters, putting out the lights one by one, until only three candles on the table remained lit, flickering.
By that bare light, Einan tipped Cab’s face up toward hers and began to clean it, dabbing his cheeks with a wet rag that smelled of lemon soap. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, too focused on the task at hand. Cab stared at her pursed lips, the bow curve soothing, distracting.
“I heard about Malachy,” Uaine said. “Thought the safest thing might be to lie low. If anyone was watching and I led them to you . . .”
“No. You thought right. It was the sensible thing to do.” Einan swiped the rag over the broken skin on the bridge of Cab’s nose. It hurt. So did the rest of him. So much that he didn’t think he’d be able to hold it together if it weren’t for One at his feet. “Sadly, we’ve had a change of plans.”
“I can see that.” Uaine turned her attention to Hope. “I’m honored to welcome another of your kind into my home.”
“They raided the Lily.” Einan continued to work at Cab’s wounds while she spoke. “Chin up, soldier, I didn’t bring you here to die on Uaine’s floor.”
“Are you sure?” Cab winced, the words more painful than they were worth.
Einan met his eyes at last, and for a moment he wanted to smile. Even if he couldn’t.
“I apologize for losing control of my fury.” Hope stood, then knelt at Sil’s feet. “Forgive me. In my rage, I may have cost us valuable time.”
Sil rested a slim hand on Hope’s head. Her expression was sorrowful, but at peace.
“Rise, Second Hope for Windsworn Glory,” she said. “You have done nothing wrong.”
“Saved my life,” Cab agreed. “Ow.”
“Hold still,” Einan commanded.
Tell her that if she ruins your handsome face, I’ll return the favor in kind. One’s tail lashed over the floor.
“One says to be careful with me.” Cab let Einan guide his hand to his face, holding the rag to his lip. The