Book 3: Into Rallegrad

Ainslee

We make love that night. Rafe gives me all the empty promises and reassurances I need to be ready in the morning.

As a group, there are eight of us: Rafe, Annamarie, Jerim, four guards, and me. We don’t dare risk bringing any more. We dress in plain peasants’ clothing and even go so far as to rub dirt on our faces to disguise ourselves.

The Rallegrad guard is easily bribed and stands aside for us. We step into Rallegrad, all of us holding our breath.

Lightning doesn’t strike us down, so that’s a good thing. I let out the breath I’m holding and look at Rafe. “You’re really going to do this?”

He shoots me a glare. “We’ve been over this, Ainslee.”

“I know. I’m just so scared for you, that’s all,” I say.

He shakes his head. “It has to be done.” He looks at the others. “I want you all to be ready to accept Drake if they let him go. If none of us are back within three hours, well, you’ll know what happened. Try to pick up