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“Given!”

I whirled as Varick appeared beside me, a heavy cloak over his head. His skin smoked as he grabbed my arm and hauled me back from the railing. One side of his face was burned, his beard black and patchy. He was covered in sweat and dirt. His hand on my arm was shockingly red, like he’d thrust it into a pot of boiling water.

“You’re hurt!” I cried.

He pulled me inside and slammed the balcony doors shut. When he whipped around, his expression made me take a step back. “Damn you, female, I should heat your disobedient, reckless backside.”

I ignored him and reached for his hood. “Let me see—”

“I’m fine,” he growled, taking my arm again. He turned me and gave me a light shove. “Get back in your body. You can’t stay in the palace.”

All at once, I became aware of Radu, the guards, and the thralls standing around my body, which lay crumpled on the carpet. They all looked like they’d seen a ghost. They’d also just heard Varick threaten to spank me.

Varick’s warning growl rumbled directly behind me. “Given—”

“I’m going!” I stared at my body and willed myself into it. A breath later, I stared at Varick’s boots advancing toward me across the carpet. He bent and helped me rise, and then seven feet of angry warrior loomed over me.

He pulled me away from Radu and the others, and his golden eyes were stark as he took my face in his hands. “Listen to me and don’t argue. The city is falling. We can’t fight the Sithistrans under the naked sun. If the Green Guards storm the palace, they’ll take you prisoner.” His voice went low. “They’ll take you to the Rift, Given.”

My bowels turned watery. “I know.”

“We must evacuate. Radu will take you through the tunnels that lead outside the city. From there, you’ll go to Lar Budina. It’s a sizable village about a half hour ride away. From the look of the horizon, the Deepnight appears to be holding there.”

“What about you?”

“Laurent is down in the streets. I have to fetch him.”

My breath caught. “In the streets? The Sithistrans will kill him.”

“Not on my watch.” Varick’s eyes gleamed with an intensity that made shivers course down my spine. “I want you to swear you’ll do as Radu says. You’ll obey every order without question. Swear it to me now, halfling.”

The endearment made my throat burn. “I swear,” I rasped.

“I love you,” he said in my mind, his golden eyes bright in his reddened, dirt-streaked face. “You and I have survived worse than this. We’ll survive today.”

“Yes.” For a moment, we stared at each other. Then I flung myself into his arms and kissed him, not caring if Radu and the others were watching. After a brief moment of hesitation, he squeezed me against him and returned the kiss. I tasted his sweat and my tears.

A few breathless seconds later, he set me away from him. “I trust Captain Radu with my life. And yours.” He looked at Radu, who stood watching us with the guards and the thralls behind him. “Don’t stop until she’s safe in Lar Budina.”

“You have my word and my vow, General.”

Varick nodded and turned to me.

“I have to get Avenor’s sword,” I said. “It’s in the bedchamber.”

“Fetch it quickly. Then go with Radu.” For one tense, shivering moment, he looked like he might kiss me again. But then he pulled his hood more closely around his face. “I have to go.”

“Find Laurent,” I said. “He can’t fall into southern hands, Varick.”

“He won’t. Now go. The king and I will meet you in Lar Budina.”

Chapter Seven

LAURENT

The sun killed everything it touched. And it touched everything.

“We have to fall back, Your Grace!” a knight hollered behind me. His plea was accompanied by hands clutching at my cloak.