“She sneaks off every night with one of the cooks,” he smirked, then gestured to her bed. “Light it up, Ginger Snap.”
I rolled my eyes and inched forward before both our heads snapped to each other, the sound of two voices coming closer.
“Shit,” Roland murmured, then grabbed me and pushed me down on the bed until he was towering over me and positioned between my legs. “Forgive me,” he whispered, and I gaped at him as he pressed his lips against mine, one hand of his now on my face and the other holding him up above me on the bed.
My heart thundered in my chest. The voices that gasped as they entered the room were as if they were underwater, my whole body buzzing at the touch of Roland’s lips against mine.
He pulled away, yelling back at the couple. “A little privacy, please?”
The maid nervously apologized, and I heard her scurry out of the room with who I assumed was the cook. I wasn’t sure, as Roland had them partially blocked from my view.
When the door shut, he eyed me and stood back up, holding out a hand to me.
With burning cheeks, I avoided his gaze but grasped his hand and stood.
“I’m assuming it would be unwise to light this room now?” I murmured.
“Indeed. Let us hope the fires you started were enough,” Roland said as he walked to the door, quickly peeking out. “It’s clear,” he whispered, and without another word of our kiss, we left the room with stealth, heading to the cells.
Chapter Forty-Six
Wehurrieddown,thesounds of yelling from the Western Wing becoming less and less audible. Just before we reached the chamber doors, Roland took extra precautions to ensure the guards were gone—and they were, thanks to Silas. We entered and ran down the stone steps. The last of my people were being led out of the back entrance just as we emerged.
“Where is Silas?” I asked.
“Outside with the others,” Hendry replied.
“Merrick and El are with them,” Viola added as she and Hendry helped guide our people out of the exit.
I nodded, and then my head snapped as footsteps began to come down. I turned to Roland. “You may want to watch out.”
He smirked and got behind me. Tapping into my rage, I created a wall of fire just as soldiers filled the hallway. They shrieked, stumbling back before I couldn’t make any out due to the flames. I could still hear their profanities.
Because the cellar was made of stone, I had to keep position until it was time for me to run.
“Get out of here! I’ll hold them off as long as I can!” I called back. Hendry and Viola nodded before running, the last of my people with them. Roland didn’t budge.
“What are you doing?” I shouted.
“I’m not leaving you—let’s go!” Before I could protest, an arrow shot through the flames, just missing Roland.
I cursed and did the next best thing I could think of. I smothered the fire, and just as the soldiers went to charge, I made a wall of ice, trapping them on the other side. I knew it only had moments before they effectively shattered it.
“Smart girl,” Roland quipped, then grasped my hand, wincing at the cold before pulling me to the fortress exit out back. When we made it out the door, I froze that entrance as well, then ran across the balcony and down the steps to where everyone was waiting. My people were already distant, running like hell, just as I had ordered.
Hendry was on a horse with Edmund holding on, Elowen and Merrick on another. Silas was standing by the same black horse he rode before, his wife sitting atop it with a scowl on her face. While Merrick, Elowen, and Viola still wore their prison clothes, they were each given cloaks.
“You made it,” Silas breathed. He nervously looked up to the eastern watchtower, and I followed his gaze, seeing that the catapult had been frozen. He must have allowed Merrick to do that.
Silas mounted his horse, Erabella wrapping her arms around his waist. I then realized there was only one more horse.
“This was all we could get without getting caught, considering how many horses the Undead killed,” Hendry explained.
“No worries for me,” Viola smirked, then shifted into a dark stallion, her violet eyes still present.
“You should’ve let me know, Viola,” Merrick teased. “I would’ve much preferred to ride you.”
Despite everything, I choked on a laugh. Elowen slapped him on the arm, and Viola grunted.
