The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)(88)

“Can everyone move?” I clutched Res tight to my chest. They nodded, and we bolted for the exit, Kiva casting one last backward glance as we fled.

I led the way down the corridor to the front of the castle, avoiding the two monks holding off a trio of Vykryn. We sped out onto the grounds and around to the stables. Rain fell in sheets, the chill in the air sharp as a sword. I held Res tighter.

Three massive Illucian warhorses waited for us, but as we grew closer, Kiva stumbled. Caylus caught her before she struck the ground and heaved her to her feet. “You’re losing too much blood.”

“Comforting.”

“I’m just saying that—”

“I’m fine,” she hissed, trying to push off him and move on her own. But she swayed, and he quickly ducked under her arm to support her. Shifting Res to one arm, I doubled back to slide under her other side, and together, we helped her onto the nearest horse.

“Ride with her,” I told Caylus. “Make sure she doesn’t fall.”

He swung onto the horse behind her, and I handed him Res, who gave a weak caw, then undid Caylus’s horse’s reins and those of the one beside it. Once I’d mounted, he handed Res back, and I clutched him to my body with one arm. Then I drove my heels into my horse’s sides.

The amount of power that exploded out of the beast felt like a crow taking off. It sped down the road in a whirl of hooves and wind. I glanced back only once to make sure Caylus and Kiva were with me. As we curved around the bend to the front of the castle, I caught a glimpse of blue and snapped my head to the side.

Ericen stood in the castle doorway, his chest heaving, blood smearing his neck. For half a second, I panicked it might be his, then guilt swallowed me. He’d made his choice, but I still didn’t want to leave him.

We locked eyes, that brief second stretching into eternity, and then we’d passed him, and he was out of sight.

Rain barreled into my face, blurring my vision and testing my hold on Res. I could feel the cord between us strengthening as the drug wore off. Gripping the horse harder with my knees, I pressed my legs into its sides, urging it faster. It complied, producing new bursts of speed each time I thought we couldn’t possibly go any quicker.

The road shot through the city and down toward the river. We crossed through the Colorfalls, over the bridge and through the colored lights reflecting off the fog like moonlight on water. We raced to the countryside, past quiet houses illuminated by the bright glow of a full moon.

We left Sordell far behind, speeding toward the Verian Hills and the ocean beyond. The horses lasted much longer than normal ones, and even as my muscles tired and the rain slowed, then stopped, we galloped. Two miles, three miles, four, five, and we finally hit the base of the hills and slowed the horses to a fast trot.

Everyone was breathing hard, the horses most of all, and as they began the climb up the hills, we slowed them to a walk.

The first thing I did was check on Kiva. I brought my horse closer to theirs, and she lifted her head, offering me a reassuring smile. But her already pale skin had turned nearly white, and crimson stained her shoulder. I couldn’t tell how much blood she’d lost.

“The monks would have kept them busy,” Caylus said between heavy breaths. “We should have a head start. Unless the prince called for help…” He trailed off, glancing back the way we’d come.

“Do you know how far the port is?” I asked.

“Just another mile once we’re over these hills.”

“Good.” I eyed Kiva. “Whether they’re close on our trail or not, we need to hurry.”

When we neared the top of the summit, I glanced back. A wall of fog and heavy clouds rendered Sordell invisible. If someone pursued us, they were far enough behind that we couldn’t see them. Ericen had been right there; he’d seen us escaping. If he’d called any nearby soldiers, they’d be close.

I saw no one.

As we crested the summit, the dark, shapeless mass of the ocean stretched before us. Even from here, the rush of waves was audible. The salty smell of the sea lingered in the air, mixing with the clean scent of rain. Spots of lantern light dotted the land, and we nudged our horses toward them.

At the bottom, I urged mine into a canter, and Caylus followed. Kiva’s head started to loll. There was too much blood on her shoulder. We’d have to find a healer before we found a ship, no matter how much time it cost us.

“Faster!” I called to Caylus, kicking my horse into a gallop again. Its heavy breathing filled the air alongside the thunder of hooves. Guilt pulled at me, but I pushed my mount harder. The wind tore at my hair, pulling it loose from the braid to whip at my face. A few minutes later, Port Maranock came into view.

It was a small town, filled with the smell of the ocean. Mist danced against my burning skin, and our breath fogged in the cold air. We raced down the nearest street, the smack of our horses’ hooves causing more than one lantern to be lit. My eyes darted from building to building, looking for the sign of a healer or a shop that might have supplies.

We’d reached the docks by the time Caylus shouted, “There!” and pointed at a small house with a low-burning candle and a sign with a healer’s symbol.

I leapt off my horse, Res bundled in my arms, and pounded on the door. “Help! Open the door!”

Light filled the window as someone lit another candle, and a half-asleep older man pulled open the door. He took one look at our Illucian warhorses and our anything-but-Illucian faces and slammed the door shut.