With the bondbreaker, it could be.
Isla took the first step up the ladder.
The skylight was a door, leading to a small glass room awash with moonlight. There was a bundle of ancient scrolls. A scepter with a gem-stone top that was milky, the color of someone blending clouds and sky together with their thumb. A sword with a braided blade, two sheets of metal intertwined, locked together like lovers.
But there was no oversize glass needle.
There was no bondbreaker.
Disappointment made her reckless. Isla entered the Mainland castle without her normal precautions. She did not wait in the shadows to ensure no one was around. She did not cloak her steps, which would require slowing her pace. She did not take the long way, through halls that were always empty because they were ancient and let cracks of moonlight and cold drafts through holes in the stone and didn’t have any of the monstrous hearths that filled the rest of the palace.
All she wanted was to get to her room as soon as possible, wash the dye out of her hair, tear the light-blue clothes to pieces, and get any remainder of sleep the night allowed.
By the time she quickly turned a corner into the main hall, it was too late.
Cleo had already spotted her.
Isla was gone in an instant. She kept walking straight instead, not knowing where she was going, heart thundering, wondering how good a look the Moonling ruler had gotten at her face.
It was dark. She had been on the other side of the hall.
No,not close enough to have seen it was her.
But certainly close enough to make her suspicious.
Seconds later, Isla heard the unmistakable sound of steps behind her.
Following her.
Just a few long strides and the Moonling would catch up to her, confirm that the girl with the light-blue hair and Skyling clothing was a fellow ruler.
An impostor.
The discovery would spin so many questions and stab so many of her secrets, Isla began sweating, panting.
Cleo wouldn’t give up until she had Isla backed into a corner. Her steps were just a few moments behind hers.
Another turn came up, and Isla took it, using the few seconds that the Moonling ruler couldn’t see her to take off at full speed.
She ran, ran, then took another turn—
And crashed into something solid.
Her mind spun behind her eyes. She would have fallen backward if it wasn’t for two strong hands catching her by the waist.
Grim.
Footsteps sounded behind her, echoing through the last hall. One turn, and the Moonling ruler would find her there,bothof them.
The Nightshade ruler stared down at her, confusion drawing his brows together. His eyes caught on her colored hair, her clothes, a question in his expression.
No time to explain.
“Please,”she said, gripping his arms, hating the way her voice broke on the word.
He seemed to know what she wanted.
Because before Cleo could turn the corner, Grim gathered Isla to his chest and they both disappeared.
