Page 52 of Till Death

Her admission dropped into my gut like an anchor in shallow water. The king’s angry fists slid across my mind as I remembered his reaction when he realized he’d been swindled out of a wife. I hadn’t thought about that moment for a while.

“Where’s the dog?” I asked, starting back toward the house.

“Boo’s with a friend of ours. Someone we trust. He’ll be fine for now,” Thea said. “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to need more weapons,” I answered. “And you’re going to give them to me.”

“I’m not waiting for you, Maiden,” Paesha shouted, headed to the trees.

“You can go on your own if you want, but I know exactly how to get into that castle. I know my way around, and I know what’s going to be there when you get into the castle. So, unless you want your own capture tonight, fall in line, Huntress. Because I’m only doing this once.”

Thea ran after me, passing me up the stairs and darting into her room. I followed, and she looked over her shoulder, considering for only a second before she sighed. “This is probably a really bad idea.”

“I can confirm it is. But there’s no time for debating. Slide your little wall there and let’s go.”

“My… you knew?”

“One of these days, we’ll break into the Perth castle, and I’ll show you mine.”

A smile lit her pretty face. “I’ve seen it. It’s okay.”

“Okay?” I asked, drawing back.

She winked and slid the faux wall to the side, revealing a second room. “We snuck into your castle to get your clothes after, well... when Orin crashed your wedding. I got curious. But I prefer my collection more.”

I was frozen to the spot, nearly reaching out to steady myself on the post of Thea’s bed. “It’s… gods, Thea. It’s incredible.”

“I tinker,” she said, lifting a shoulder. “Take your pick. But if you break it and I can’t fix it, we’re fighting, Maiden.”

I shuffled forward, stroking my hand down the twisted pommel of a sword, before studying the ornate collection of throwing knives, each narrow handle perfectly shaped and carefully carved. Chain whips and daggers and crossbows and contraptions I’d never seen filled the hidden room. But it was more than that.

“You do have power,” I said in awe. “These are far too beautiful to be anything but.”

“I don’t advertise it, Dey. Promise you’ll never take one of these without my permission. I can’t… I don’t want to…”

I lifted the chain from the hook, swiped two daggers, and let my hand rest over the sword before deciding to pass.

“I get it.”

She bit her lip, sliding the wall back into place. “They’re art.”

“Not weapons for Death. It’s okay. I understand more than you think.”

I missed Chaos. And I would have loved to storm into Orin’s room and demand her return, but if they hadn’t told him Quill was missing, there was likely a solid reason. He was too damaged to be helpful, and breaking into the Silbath castle with a man that could barely keep himself upright sounded like a good way to fail.

Paesha was waiting on the front steps when we walked out. “Armed to the teeth, Maiden?”

“Just the way I like it, Huntress. Now, we’re going to have to steal a carriage, unless you have one hiding around here?”

“I know where we can get one.” Hollis stepped in.

Paesha’s mismatched eyes scanned Hollis, softening. “Are you sure it’s not too much, Hol? You can stay.”

“I won’t slow you down. But I can drive the carriage.”

“Great,” I piped in, hustling for the trees before I called over my shoulder. “Here’s the plan. Hollis and Thea stay in the carriage; we won’t be able to take it through the gates at the castle. You’re going to have to circle. Stay close enough for us to find you, but not enough to raise suspicion. He’s a new king, and I’d bet my own death he’s doubled down on guards.”

“He’s taken the Perth guard,” Hollis confirmed, falling behind. “Moved everyone off the border. Perth has completely fallen.”