From rain and chill to heat and damp, the soil was hardened and rough. Sharp pieces of rock and twigs scraped at my callused fingertips. I kept digging. Sweat dripped over my lashes. When I blinked, the salt slid down to my lips.

Chipped stone ripped my fingernails, drawing blood. I winced and dug faster, careful to move as the night shadows—silent phantoms.

The longer I thought on the royal keep, the more I knew Kael faced too great a risk. We had to leave. Tonight. Even if I found Kael, I wasn’t certain we would have the time or ability to free Edvin and Hilda.

I used my fists to dig deeper. They deserved freedom—they were here because I had been found out—but…I would always choose Kael first.

If we broke free, if we stayed hidden just long enough, perhaps we could find a way across the Myrdan border and slip back into obscurity, never use our crafts, and hide the silver curse in my eyes as we’d always done. I cursed when a jagged pebble sliced under my fingernail, and reared back.

I sucked away the blood on my thumb, somewhere inside knowing this plan was foolhardy.

Dangers hid in the wood, but there was also freedom.

By the time my spine was heavy with fatigue, the burrow was large enough to fit my bony shoulders.

With a glance at the canvas door, I slipped my head into the soil. Soon enough the frosted blue moonlight washed over my cheeks. I reached for it, the brine and chill in the air burning my lungs with each ragged breath.

The position of Ashwood’s hut had added a barrier of trees with gnarled branches. I crouched in the tangle of leaves, watching.

Ten paces ahead, the Stav Guard first watch patrolled the edge of the wood. Pairs sauntered shoulder to shoulder, never glancing back when their route curved around the camp to the opposite side.

Baldur’s unit camped just beyond the line of trees. Flames from their torches were hazy drops of gold in the distance. If I could keep out of sight long enough, I could come up on the camp, find Kael, and perhaps find a way to distract the Stav until we faded into the darkness.

Night mists coiled around the thick trunks of evergreens and oak trees. The wood felt haunted and formidable.

I maneuvered behind a wild fern, muscles clenched, when the patrols of Stav strode past again. One guard’s mouth cracked in a sturdy yawn and he stumbled when his companion nudged his ribs, urging him to keep alert.

On my belly like a burrowing creature, I waited for the pairs of Stav to take a step in opposing directions, briefly leaving a gaping hole that would lead to the trees.

I tore from the burrow, sprinting free of the hut, never looking back.