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Her eyes opened again, and she gave me a small nod.

A roar from above made us all jump. All eyes flashed to the skies as an enormous shimmering blue dragon flew over our heads. It circled the courtyard, and Theron laughed out loud.

“Oh Caedmon, what a truly brilliant specimen!” He exuded delight as the dragon breathed out a jet of blue flame.

Elara’s eyes moved back to me.

Can you do that?

I scoffed.I’m much more impressive than that sorry looking thing.

You would say that.

Only because it’s true.

Let me guess - you’re a giant red dragon.

I grinned at her.No. Black. And my wings are twice as big.

Show off.

Gods, the color in her cheeks was coming back. Tears bit at my eyes as I looked at her, as I felt her soul slowly knit itself back together.

At that moment, Regan entered the courtyard. His intense gaze sent a cold shiver down my back. A quick, barely distinguishable jerk of his head confirmed it - we had to move now.

Elara, go.

She understood immediately, stepping sideways behind a duo of entranced courtiers. Theron was still too busy applauding his new scaly pet to notice anything going on around him. He and Caedmon laughed heartily, and I moved around the group of courtiers. Elara took a few more steps backwards, towards Regan.

I glanced around at the guards, who were also too mesmerized by the spectacle above them to notice our trio moving out of the courtyard. I had almost reached her. I was only a few steps away. She reached Regan’s side, all of us still looking into the courtyard, checking for confused looks or calls asking what the fuck we were doing.

But none came.

Then her hand was in mine. Cold and small, her delicate fingers dwarfed by mine as our hands entwined. The Bond coiled and pulled tight, almost jerking me forwards, closer to her. She shivered for a moment, feeling it too, but there was no time for anything else.

“Go.” Regan stood still as Elara and I moved behind him, through a stone archway and into the open passage that led to the open green, and beyond that - the Gate.

We moved swiftly, Elara’s hand clinging to mine as we headed wordlessly along the stones. Regan overtook us, hands clasped behind him. I should have dropped Elara’s hand, but I wasn’t letting her go now. With Regan ahead of us, no guard should think anything untoward was happening.

So we moved on. I still didn’t know what was going to happen. I had no idea how we were going to get out of here, what was awaiting us. I wasn’t ready yet to try and unfurl my wings, unsure of what the fading mark would allow me to do. But I could give Elara cover, I could send her on her way.

As though she sensed my thoughts, her fingers held onto mine tighter.

Don’t let go. Don’t let go of me.

My oath, princess. Have you forgotten it?

Something like a sob escaped her. I couldn’t break my promise. I would run with her. I wouldn’t let go of her. I would get her out of here, and safe, to Isambard.

Regan led us down the stone staircase, nodding to the Chief Guard as he passed. The man looked puzzled for only a moment, before he shrugged and resumed his position. Regan walked to the Gate and waved his hand. The guards opened it without so much as a protest.

A flicker of fear passed through me. Why was this so easy? Perhaps I had underestimated Regan’s power in the palace. Perhaps there were more members of this Guild than I could have imagined. Either way, we continued to walk unimpeded, into the forecourt. Between us and freedom there now lay only a wooden bridge. A warm breeze blew across the fields, and in the distance we could hear Theron’s new pet roaring and breathing fire.

Regan stopped abruptly, and the guards sitting by the bridge looked over at us with mild curiosity. Regan’s shoulders lifted as he inhaled, then he turned to face us.

“A lovely day to be by the sea, don’t you think?” He asked me, and the corner of his mouth twitched into a grin.

It was then I realized he was speaking my native tongue.