after her coming-of-age ball, and where she goes her bodyguard goes.”
The idea of her as a bodyguard was absolutely ludicrous, yet if it meant making it to Serlania and finding a Maarin ship … “But I’m a girl.”
“So’s the rest of her guard,” Finn replied. “And besides, I know the captain, and he owes me a favor or two. He’ll owe me three if I deliver a girl he can use.”
Lydia bit the insides of her cheeks, considering her options. If she refused Finn’s offer, she’d almost certainly starve to death if she wasn’t killed in the Crown shelters. Yet either death seemed merciful compared to being shipped off to a battlefield to age over and over again until she eventually succumbed. By taking a position among the nobility, she’d be hiding in plain sight. “When is the Princess supposed to sail?” she finally asked.
“The ball is a month from now.”
A month? Could she fake it that long? Could she elude Killian Calorian and those he’d likely set after her? It was an enormous risk, but the reward was just as great, and already her mind was racing with strategies, with ways to change her appearance. She could do this. For Teriana’s sake, she had to. “I’ll do it,” she said. “Take me to see this captain.”
Finn’s eyes went over her shoulder, and her stomach dropped as a familiar voice said, “I must say, that was much easier than I expected.”
Whirling, Lydia found herself face-to-face with the very man she’d been desperate to elude.
“Hello again,” Killian said.
The alleyway behind her was a dead end, and he was blocking most of the entrance. But she had to try. Launching herself forward, she was almost in the clear when a hand latched on her arm, jerking her back. She shrieked, fighting and kicking, but his grip was relentless as he dragged her farther into the alley. Desperate, Lydia twisted and bit down hard on his forearm. He yelped and she stumbled free, falling on something that squished, the sound of Finn laughing filling her ears.
“Gods-damn it!” Killian shook his arm, wincing. “Though I suppose I earned that.”
“What do you want?” she demanded.
“Exactly what Finn told you,” he said. “Just hear me out.” Then his eyes flicked to the boy in question. “Finn, go sit your ass on the fountain in the square, and don’t even think about eavesdropping.”
The news crier grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it. Besides, I’ve had my entertainment for the day.”
Killian waited until the boy was out of earshot; then he said, “Yesterday, Princess Malahi was attacked by one of the corrupted.”
Lydia silently listened to the story, half her mind for what he was telling her and the other half trying to come up with a way to get past him.
“I need someone with Hegeria’s mark who hasn’t been branded by the temple to guard Malahi. Someone who will recognize the corrupted before they get close to her. I think that someone should be you.”
The very idea of it was terrifying. Not only hiding in plain sight, but guarding against creatures that, if what he’d said was true, could drain the life from a person with a touch.
“You’ll be fed the best food there is to be had in the city,” he said. “Paid in silver. Malahi’s entourage won’t be subject to Quindor’s scrutiny when they board the ship to Serlania, and once there you’ll be free to track down a Maarin ship and head home.” His head tilted to one side. “You also have my word that I’ll keep your mark a secret.”
“Unless I don’t agree to your scheme, correct?” she snapped. “Which means it’s no choice at all.”
Rocking on his heels, he shook his head. “You have my word I’ll keep your secret, regardless of what you choose to do.” Then Killian turned on his heel and walked out of the alley, his voice trailing behind him. “You know where to find me.”
A way to Serlania, where Lydia was certain she’d be able to find a Maarin ship. Which meant a way back to the Empire. But the Princess wasn’t departing for more than a month. What were the chances of her father surviving Vibius’s poison that long? What were the chances of Teriana and her crew surviving Lucius’s inquisition that long? And there was the added risk of her mark being discovered. She’d be caught, her freedom gone and her life sure to follow.
But what were the chances of her making it back home any other way?