“They weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow,” Lyta said. “What changed?”
Snaky, who was now sitting on a tree root, replied, “Because the king tricked the prince. He knew he’d try to hide her.”
At least two dozen royal guards descended in a tight formation, their faces masked.
Tundra leaned close to Lyta. “How the hell did they find us anyway?”
“Think they followed us,” Lyta replied through gritted teeth. “They knew we’d lead them to Lyric.”
The wind rustled across my bare skin. I was still naked from my shift. The ground was cold. My limbs ached. And yet, I stood tall, letting the guards currently landing on their feet take in the sight of me.
One of them—older, broader, meaner—the one who landed first, was eyeing me curiously. His armor shimmered with rank. Captain, maybe. His
