Crossing the room to the opposite window, Ren looked down into the courtyard. At this hour, it was empty – just as he had hoped. Even the guards were busy elsewhere, likely escorting the Skarlan king and his following to the guest rooms under the highest possible amount of supervision.

Carefully, Ren stepped up onto the window sill. He knew where to place his feet and which cracks between the stones would accommodate his fingers. Having one of the chambers closest to the ground had allowed Ren to conduct many secret outings this way – most often to the stables or the stock rooms where he would meet with the sons or daughters of wealthy lords and ladies who wouldn't approve of their heirs sleeping with the queen's bastard son.

Leaning back slightly, Ren let go of the wall and let himself fall the remaining distance to the ground, bending his knees on impact. Landing on stone sent hard shocks up his legs, but all it took to ease the feeling was a light shake of each foot.

Careful to stick close to the walls, Ren followed the edges of the courtyard, slipped through the engraved arches, and passed by the private gardens. The sound of voices grew louder as he neared the main garden and he slowed his pace.

The main garden was a large, airy space, fringed by colonnades that formed open outdoor walkways. Slipping behind one of the broad frescoed pillars, Ren leaned sideways to spy on the guards positioned at precise intervals around the edges of the garden. There were more guards gathered than would usually be at parties, although the Skarlans of course wouldn't know that.

A guest approached the guards nearest Ren and they turned towards her, ready to answer whatever question she had posed. Seeing his chance, Ren had just prepared himself to slip past when a voice stopped him in his tracks.

“What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in your chambers?”

Containing an exasperated sigh, Ren turned back around. The voice belonged to Thais, the youngest of the three Stags and the king's second true-born son. Unlike his easy relationship with Hellic, Ren had never seemed able to get along with Thais.

“I should, but I'd rather be here. Are you going to tell on me?” Ren asked, angling a challenging look at Thais. Even at sixteen, Thais understood well how to use what little status he had over Ren in any way he could.

Thais shrugged and looked around, taking his time. Every moment he wasted increased the chances of Ren getting caught. Ren wished Thais would just go away.

“Not if you help me out,” Thais said finally.

“With what?” Ren asked suspiciously, crossing his arms over his chest, but his cool facade was broken when the two guards returned to their posts, forcing him to wiggle further into the shadow of the pillar.