Sucking in a deep breath, she pulled herself upright and dragged herself downstairs.

She couldn’t go out the front—the marines might recognise her, even in this outfit.

Maybe splitting up had been a bad idea.

Still, it was done now.

Biting her lip, she tried the other door at the bottom of the stairs. It led to a narrow corridor with a door on either side and an exit. Thank the gods for that.

When she took the exit, the cold night air hit her, staggering compared to the cosiness of the inn. Gods, she could use that shawl and cloak right now. Hugging herself, she started along the alley, away from the marines at the front of the inn.

Movement in the dark. She gasped, body too sluggish to respond before a warm hand clamped over her mouth.

They’d caught her. Wild Hunt. Gods. Lords. Ladies. This was it.

Her heart reared, clamouring against her chest, and she grunted against the palm, muscles screaming as they stiffened and ached. An arm wrapped around her waist, but she couldn’t fight him off. She could barely summon a wriggle from her broken body.

“It’s me.” Knigh’s voice, barely above a breath in her ear.

Thank the gods. She sagged, and he released her, hand staying at her waist as she wobbled. “Wild Hunt bloody take you, Knigh, I thought they—”

Her throat closed, and she shook her head. That they had her again, that she’d go back in that cage and hang tomorrow.

“I know,” he said, handing her back the shawl and cloak. “There were marines—”

“Out the front”—she nodded and pulled it around her shoulders—“I saw them, that’s why I came out this way.”

“Half a dozen more on that road, too.” He nodded at the other end of the alley, away from the front of the inn. “We’re going to have to wait.”

She shivered, tucking her hands under the cloak, blinking slowly. Lords, the wool was so soft, she could wrap it around herself and sleep.

“Vee?” He cupped her cheek, tilted her face up.

With a sharp breath, she flinched, eyes wide. They’d drifted shut. “I—I can’t stay out here. I need …” Food, rest, sleep, warmth. Gods, she almost groaned at the thought.

Brow creased, Knigh bit his lip, gaze slipping away. “We could … I can …” He glanced up and down the alley, jaw clenched. “I don’t know how we can slip past them. I’m—I’m sorry.”

There was one way. The marines would never see them if she could gather the energy …

Swallowing, she lifted her chin. “I know.” She took his hand and crept towards the back road. “Come on.”

“Vee—”