But that meant I had to figure out how to get away on my own before we reached the palace, because every step we took was another second gone, another move closer to Rodric.

I took a steadying breath to drown out the pulsing in my head.

From what I could see, there were roughly fifteen soldiers around me. They hadn’t thought to take my sword away, and they’d shackled my hands in front of me. If I could break free from one soldier, I could draw my sword. I wasn’t sure how well I could yield it with my hands bound, and fifteen was a lot to take on at once. But if they wanted me alive, they might be reluctant to fight too hard. That would have to be my advantage.

I scanned the crowd up ahead looking for a break, for the right moment to try my luck. It wouldn’t do any good to escape only to have the crowd converge on me again.

The soldiers in front shoved people out of the way with their spears, while the rest of the men closed ranks around me, keeping me from view, from grabbing distance. They didn’t want anyone taking their prize.

Up ahead, I thought I saw a break in the crowd. I was just about to trip the soldier on my right when a familiar voice sounded.

“Why aren’t you guarding the well?” Rodric barked at the guards.

If getting caught wasn’t part of the plan, running into Rodric surely hadn’t been part of any preparations. I tried to go for the soldier’s leg. He buckled slightly, but he didn’t go down or loosen his grip.

At the sound of commotion, Rodric pushed through the contingent of soldiers, the head soldier quickly at his heels.

A cruel smile spread across Rodric’s lips. He crossed his arms across his chest.

“I knew she wouldn’t last long outside the palace,” Rodric said. “Even the famed Achran Flower dries up without water after too long.”

I spit in his face.

He wiped it away with a swipe of his hand and leered forward. “I wondered how you survived out there all alone. Now I see it’s because you’re just like a yellow-spotted sand snake, attacking everything and hiding away in holes to stay alive.”

“I survived,” I replied, “because sand runs in my veins.”

His hand squeezed around the cuff encircling my neck, making the edges dig into my skin. He brought his face up against mine. His acrid breath pounded against my face.

“Do you remember those cuts I gave you?” He squeezed harder for effect.

I tried to gasp. My shackles clanked as I brought my hands up to his, trying to pry it away.

He laughed. “I will do that to every inch of your body after you’ve given me a son or two. And I’ll make sure you’re still alive when I throw you into the desert. Then you’ll really know what it’s like to have sand in your veins.” Sweat trickled down his forehead. “Only someone who comes from the desert, like I did, can rule this city.”