Last Stand (The Black Mage #4)(103)

“What I want to ask you all”—my fingers twisted in my lap—“I have no right to ask. It’s treason and I can’t promise we won’t get caught.”

No one spoke.

“I want to help Darren escape. I want to get him out of Jerar, and I’m going with him.” I met each one of their eyes. “If you want to walk away, I’ll understand. I just ask that you keep this plan between us. Give me a chance to do it myself.”

“Are you really ready to exile yourself and live in hiding the rest of your life?” Alex fought to keep a neutral expression, and failed. “Priscilla and Horrace will send men to find you. It’s dangerous and”—his hands fisted at his sides—“if you are caught… Ry, I don’t want to lose you again. I-I already thought I lost you once. And after Derrick…”

The knot in my chest expanded and I bit down on my cheek, hard. I knew what I was doing was selfish. Gods, I’d nearly lost myself when Derrick died. How could I subject Alex to my own death, twice?

And how could I not—for Darren?

“But what about Jerar?” Ella’s words were quiet. “What will happen if King Horrace finds out Darren escaped? Emperor Liang and King Joren might not care, but Horrace will. And the treaty would be void.”

I exhaled. The truth was she was right. I didn’t want Caltoth to turn its back on a potential alliance with Jerar… but Horrace had been a peacemaker for decades. Perhaps nothing would come of it.

“Horrace will be at the execution.” Ian cleared his throat. “Are you planning the break out then?”

“It’s the only chance I’ll get.”

Ella paled. “Horrace will know Darren’s alive, Ry. He’ll know Jerar didn’t fulfill his terms.”

“I think—” Ian paused. “—I think if Horrace sees Priscilla making every effort to uphold the execution, he’ll still sign the treaty.” His eyes locked on my own. “My father met with him for years representing the rebels’ cause. Horrace is a reasonable man. The Caltothians owe us a debt for fighting their war. That’s not to say he won’t be upset.”

Alex guffawed. “Horrace might sign the treaty, but he will make it his mission to hunt the two of them to the end of his days.”

“That will be my problem, not yours.”

“But neither of you have magic!” My brother was furious. “Horrace will send his best mages, and the two of you won’t be able to fight!”

“We can still fight.” My eyes flashed. “Darren and I didn’t just train in magic, Alex.”

My brother folded his arms, and Ian looked between the two of us, mouth gaping. “Why won’t they be able to fight?”

“I lost my magic. We think Darren did too… I didn’t want to ask him around the guards.”

“It was how they both survived.” Ella shifted uncomfortably on the bed. “It wasn’t luck, Ian. They both cast a mage’s last stand. The casting couldn’t kill them since they were saving each other, so it took their magic instead.”

His eyes were wide. “Does anyone else know?”

“No.” My response was firm. “And you can’t tell them. We need every advantage we can get.”

“How would you propose the escape? There are going to be thousands of people and guards as far as the eye can see.”

“I don’t know, but it’s going to be our only chance to get Darren outside. If we try now, we’d have to fight our way through an entire fortress with an army of soldiers inside.” I swallowed. “We need the other rulers to see it so they know the Crown wasn’t involved, so Horrace sees Priscilla making her best effort to honor his terms.”

Ian cracked a smile. “Five days to plan the riskiest escape in the history of Jerar. Why doesn’t it surprise me the three of you are involved?”

“I’ll understand if any of you choose to pass.”

“Ryiah—” Ella’s fingers twined with my own, “—you don’t even have to ask.”

“It’s selfish.” I stared down at our hands. “I could be making things worse for Jerar.”

“We’ll ensure that doesn’t happen.”

I clung to that promise like it was air.

Ian cleared his throat. “I’ll help. Darren… I’m not sure what he deserves, but it isn’t an execution like this.”

“Alex?” I looked to my brother.

My twin ducked his head. “I just pray the gods are on our side.”



*

In the days that passed, I was a walking shade. The first two were restless and emotional. I spent all of my time in the prison seeing to Darren and letting the others act, but as the third drew to a close, I was tired of waiting for answers. We had only two more days to plan, and one of those would be largely impossible; the queen’s ascension was expected to last most of the sixth.

All communication was done by mouth.

It was too risky to meet again. Now that we had a plan, it was up to Ian and Ella to gather what information they could and pass it along. Alex served as communication to me, and I maintained my guise of despair.

I knew the rebels were watching me. But if my hands were clean, what could they claim?