Daughters of Ruin - K. D. Castner Page 0,81

moon was hanging low already. (Soldiers everywhere on the keep gates, balconies (and even patrolling the yard where the Revels tents had been just a few days prior (after her horse ride in the coliseum, Suki had presented a juggling routine (knives, torches, necklaces from the ladies in attendance))).)

She’d wanted a big tent with a trapeze, but Marta had said no (which meant Hiram had said no (which meant Declan didn’t want any of them outshining his whelp)).

No more tents (only guards).

The wagon was as close to a basement door as anything (big enough to hide behind). The space between was twenty open meters.

Endrit drank the rest of the water and let the skin fall on the ground. Suki held a long straight dagger (the one she would break in a guard’s mouth, when he reflexively clamped his jaw before he died (just the tip (on the bones in the back)) and later use to sever the hand).

All the guards would see them if they ran out. (So they waited.)

Suki thought about it for a long time, then put her hand on his knee. When he looked back, she said, “When this is over, we can go to Tasan (me, you, Marta) and I’ll be empress. We can take the whole army and reclaim your throne together.”

(He blinked a few times (he was probably overwhelmed (traumatized (his mind must have been a shambles (think straight (she could have said it, but it would have reminded him of Marta, and at the moment, she wanted him to think of his future with her))))).) He smiled. “Thanks, Susu. But when this is over, I’ll still be the stable hand.” (Which meant he didn’t think the Meridan nobles would bow to him, even though the keep was his by right (he was wrong about that (but he’d always been a stable hand and never seen the power that titles held over people)).) “But I’ll still visit Tasan,” he added, “just to see you be empress for a while.” (Which pleased Suki (she thought the first thing she’d do was hold a meeting of nobles and kill anyone who opposed her (or acted like Rhea or Declan (overly friendly and manipulative))).)

Endrit made an uncomfortable laugh (as if he’d heard her say some of it (and wasn’t sure how to react)). Suki didn’t know how much of it she’d said aloud.

In the black, black, black.

With wastewater up to her waist.

Her hand on the slime stonewall.

Hand at her hip, hand groping ahead.

Hand in her hand.

She moved her lips to words she wasn’t thinking.

The words on her mind were “prison break.”

(The word on her mouth was “Tola.”)

The guards shouted “prison break” when they saw a shadow in the yard (because they were idiot recruits (just bodies on the wall (because it came from outside and walked toward them))).

It was Rhea (finally (she must have taken her time running to the other side)). She held her arms in the air. All the guards converged on her position, pointing crossbows (It was still too dark to see anything but her silhouette.).

“Come on.” (Endrit.)

They (Endrit and Suki) ran out from behind the wagon cart (across the yard) (sprinting) (heads down) (shot full of bolts by idiot recruits while sneaking in the night would be an unworthy death).

At the time Suki suspected that Rhea wanted to get caught (distraction was her idea), that she had plotted with her precious father, but later she realized Rhea was just another pawn.

(When Declan turned on her too (she should have known (Rhea couldn’t mastermind a tea party)).)

But that was after they got caught.

They ducked into the cellar door and used Marta’s map to pass through the kennels (it was quiet (Hiram’s shinhounds must have all been out carrying messages)).

Endrit spied a guard at the entrance of the dungeons (but she was asleep (and Suki walked right up to her)). She could have slid the dagger down through the divot at the base of her neck (straight down like measuring the water’s depth (but Endrit grabbed her wrist and whispered, “What’re you doing?” (The guard startled (light sleeper) and Endrit had to knock her out with an ax handle))).

The dungeons had sconces with torches (but the flames were guttering and needed replacement (the morning guard would do it)).

They crept. Endrit was too agitated (to find his mother) to talk. They might have found her tortured (if they had found her at all (but instead, they were caught)). They had walked through the dungeons and found