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" Broken and bruised,
So I called off the troops
THAT WAS THE NIGHT I NEARLY LOST YOU "
―YI AWOKE TO AN URGENT KNOCKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
She was a heavy sleeper and her head throbbed as she hauled herself from her bedsheets and pulled the door open, forcing herself to stand tall and look placate.
That lasted for an average of half a second before Tamar told her, "Nikolai is out."
Yi's eyes widened. She wasted no time, immediately pulling on her boots and throwing a coat over her nightgown. She knew her hair was a mess, but with the winds outside, it wouldn't matter at the end of the night. Zoya joined them as they rushed through the halls.
"Where is he headed?" Yi asked, still disoriented. "If his route is usually for Shu Han. . ."
Tamar shook her head. "Something changed. He's flying west toward Balakirev tonight."
"How could he have escaped?" Zoya demanded. "Those chains have contained him for months at a time. If he's gotten stronger―"
"They weren't broken," Tamar interrupted. "They were unlocked."
Yi and Zoya both nearly tripped over each other as they reached the gardens. The former felt doubt course through her mind. It was possible that one of her Tavgharad could have been the cause, but they hadn't been sighted anywhere within the palace since yesterday, courtesy of which Yi suspected were Queen Makhi's orders.
Tolya awaited them in the gardens with four horses.
"Tell me," Zoya said as she mounted.
Yi climbed onto her steed and firmly knotted the reins as Tolya said, "I heard glass breaking. When I ran inside, I saw the king take flight from the window casement. No one had come or gone through his door."
They rode on in silence as Zoya used her ability to sense the shifts in the wind signatures to locate Nikolai. Eventually, she established that he was still heading for Balakirev and was in the main square. Yi remembered when the Grisha used to visit for sleigh rides and festivals as they neared the town, but was also aware of the fact that she'd never gone, having never had any friends to even accompany her.
She ignored the dull thought as they slid off their horses and Zoya signaled them forward. In the center of the town there was a statue of Sankt Juris, a great warrior wielding a lance pierced into the heart of a dragon, water trickling from its wings. The gurgle of the liquid could have been peaceful, if not for the leering threat of a shadow demon in the skies.
"The roof," Zoya whispered.
Yi nodded. "I'll watch the perimeter. You three should go."
They all agreed and departed, the twins bearing chains and Zoya with trust in only her ability. Yi stayed silent as her gaze scanned the dark skies. She was still exhausted and her eyelids felt heavy, but she refused to let her guard down, staying tense and prepared.
