Page 103 of The Prince's Sacrifice

He looked around and belatedly asked, “Where’s Denil?”

He’d been so focused on Tor that not only had he not noticed the other man’s absence, he didn’t even seem to have it in him to be alarmed.

Beluna explained, “He took the shift at the boats in case you went back there. He said he doesn’t need a bed that badly since it’s never right without his wife in it anyway.”

“Thank you both. All three of you,” Pel told them. “It means so much to us.” Pel was pretty sure he could take Tor’s part in this. “We should leave as soon as possible.”

Beluna stared him down. “We’ll leave in a few hours. You should get at least a couple hours of sleep before you fall over.”

“But—” Pel was antsy to be moving again even though he could also feel exhaustion digging its claws into him.

“We’ll let the fervor of whatever happened at the castle die down, then we’ll leave at a reasonable hour just like anyone else who’s trying to get an early start. We’ll do a quick reconnoiter by the castle before we leave.”

“I’ll take watch,” Cavun agreed immediately.

Pel thought about protesting, but… what would be the point? Beluna had decided what to do, and not needing to make a decision for a few minutes was a huge relief.

He lay down beside Tor and tucked himself up against as much of his body as he could reach. Beluna helped him rearrange the blankets so that Pel was now pressed against Tor and could share body heat.

This close to him, Pel could feel the slow thump of his heart, which was incredibly reassuring. It still didn’t feelright, but it was beating, and that was all that mattered.

Just keep beating. Hang in there, Tor. I’m going to get you to safety. I promise.

Pel was shaken awake by Cavun what felt like mere minutes later, but by the faint lightness in the sky through the window, it was now nearly dawn. Not that he had any idea when he’d gone to sleep.

He didn’t feel particularly well-rested, and all the problems he’d faced before he’d gone to sleep still loomed large. Tor remained unresponsive in his arms. But his heart was still beating, and that was enough for now.

Cavun and Beluna had taken care of packing up Pel and Tor’s belongings. Beluna inspected Tor’s wounds and then they got him dressed again. (Pel had never dressed an unconsciousperson before. He absolutely did not recommend it. Heachedfor Tor to wake up and tell them off for even attempting it.)

Cavun had been the one to stroll by the castle in the wee hours of the morning. He reported that it was now heavily guarded, but there was no other indication that anything was amiss. Part of Pel couldn’t fathom that the entirety of the United Realms wasn’t aware that something was deeply wrong… but it actually made a lot of sense that the castle had locked down and wasn’t letting news of what had happened out. It would doubtless spread with time given the nature of people and gossip, but it bought them all a little time now.

He thought of the empty guard posts when they first arrived and wondered if more guards had been killed—or paid off. Well, there was no use speculating. It would be up to High King Varex and his staff to sort all of that out. Pel would only hope that the chaos meant that no one would be looking for Tor anytime soon.

Beluna paid off the sleepy innkeeper and distracted him so that Cavun could slip out with Tor. Pel hurried after them. He’d had to still the almost visceral urge to insist that he be the one to carry Tor, as though he could have done so as quickly or ably.

Still, it was a relief to step out of the building and rejoin them. They were soon making their way through the lightening streets, and Pel was glad anew that they’d agreed to help him, because Beluna led them unerringly to the docks.

Dockworkers and other tradespeople who needed to be up this early were starting to populate the streets, but thankfully, it wasn’t busy yet, and the few people they passed didn’t seem to be shocked by someone being carried. Pel hoped no one questioned it later. None of Tor’s wounds were visible, and his face was tilted down where it was leaning against Cavun’s chest, so he shouldn’t be recognizable.

But the sooner they left Nexa, the happier Pel would be.

Denil was waiting for them, and his eyes widened as he took in Cavun carrying Tor. Cavun went to set him in the boat, getting him carefully arranged where he wouldn’t occasion any comment.

Chapter Twenty

Pel

Pel hastened to fill Denil in on what had happened and to reiterate that he didn’t have to be involved in any of this if he didn’t want to be.

“I know that you have a family,” Pel assured him. “I totally understand if you want to protect them.”

“You’re headed back to Tond, aren’t you?” When Pel nodded, Denil shrugged. “Then you’re going where my family is. We’re definitely in this together.”

Pel was still going to worry about Denil’s family, but he wasn’t in a position to deny freely offered help.

He’d briefly considered other locations, but realistically, the only other option seemed to be Princess Adexa. Given how Tor had talked about his sister, Pel was certain that she’d protect her brother—but he couldn’t guarantee the same was true of her husband or King Stronex. If either of them felt they couldn’t shelter Tor, they could be in deep trouble.

King Forex would undoubtedly turn Tor in, but Pel was more familiar with Tond. There were more places that he could hide—and it was further away from Alossa, which seemed like nothing but a good thing right now.