Shadow Blades (The Cimmerian Cycle #2)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Isabel didn't wait for his answer.

"When I said I was sick of this life I meant it, but I meant more. I want to leave the city behind. There is so much of the world I want to see and I can't stay a thief forever," she paused, "I also want to settle down at last." Her cheeks flushed red. Cormac shifted uncomfortably and couldn't meet her eyes.

"I promise once this is all over we will leave the city and explore the world," he said.

"You promise?" she asked, a hint of a smile on her face.

"On the Ancestors," he said.

Cormac didn't know if he wanted to leave the city but he would do it for Isabel. He owed her an unpayable debt. He didn't have anywhere else to go. Cormac was a fugitive in his own city. He would never be able to lead a normal life if he stayed. Living in the shadows was no way to live.

"Thank you Cormac," Isabel whispered.

She pushed him away and went to her room. Cormac smiled to himself and went to bed as well. It was a start.

The next day made Cormac's smile disappear altogether. Lord Hidefield arrived in the morning with an expression on his face of victory. He was going to get what he wanted today. The king was not going to be avoid him this time.

Cormac watched, ready to jump down need be. But the king stood and walked into another chamber with the Lord, thwarting Cormac's noble intentions. Cormac was on edge. There would be no way to stop the king inside that small room without throwing himself on the guards' swords.

He stared at the door in exasperation. The minutes ticked by slowly and blood pounded in his ears. How could Lord Hidefield have heard about the prince? Had Cormac missed seeing a messenger leave, or maybe there had been a spy. If there was another watcher did they know Cormac was there? A chill ran down his spine. Had that watcher followed him? His stomach dropped. He could have been leading them straight to Isabel.

Cormac pushed himself further into the alcove. Once again he had not considered the consequences of his actions. The thought made him sick so he tried to focus back on Lord Hidefield. Why had he looked so triumphant? It was as if the king had already signed the declaration.

Cormac clenched his fists as he understood. Lord Hidefield had added the Prince's name into the contract. Once he turned eighteen he would take over from Hidefield. But Cormac knew he would be dead long before that happened.

Another stroke of inspiration coursed through him. The Shadow Blades would strike tonight if the contract was signed. He felt the urge to get up and run to Isabel so that he could plan. This time he wouldn't leave her without a goodbye. He would hate himself for it but he would send Isabel to hold the assassins back and stop them from getting to the prince.

Cormac would have to try and inform as many people as he could. His only problem was that no one could see him. He tried to think of anyone who would be able to help him or could help save the king. There were those he had met as his time as a page in the palace. Max, the master of the pages couldn't or wouldn't do much. The kitchen girls couldn't fight. The princess would recognise him immediately.

The only person who came to mind was Lady Kiayani. It would be risky but he was sure her could convince her that he was on her side. If he was able to persuade her, then her friends would be able to help as well. He knew he had no other choice.

With this in mind he began to plan. Cormac would rush back to Isabel and tell her what to do and then return to the palace to find Kiayani. From behind the dusty curtains he stared at the glass chandelier hanging from the curved ceiling. Each sliver of glass shone with light and reflected the red of the curtains.