They hurried from the wealthy district and went toward the center of town where they usually concentrated their efforts. However, no matter how fast they walked, she still felt someone following them. “First tavern you see,” she said, “duck inside.”
Grevik seized her arm, and they went down a narrow street. Since no one was around, they started running until they reached the next street, where they encountered a dozen or so people. Slowing so they wouldn’t attract unwanted attention, they entered the closest tavern.
It was packed, every table taken. The smell of ale and stale bread wafted through the air. Allyssa could barely breathe from so many bodies packed so closely together. The sounds and smells made her head swim. She kept glancing to the door, watching to see if anyone entered after them. No one did.
Grevik briefly spoke with a barmaid and then turned to Allyssa. “There’s another exit we can use in the back.”
She nodded and followed him through the throngs of people. They went down a dimly lit hallway and came to a door that was bolted shut. Grevik reached back and took her hand. He opened the door and fresh, cool air greeted them as they stepped onto the dark street.
When they came to the corner, Grevik peered around the edge of the building. “I don’t see anything suspicious,” he said. “What now?”
Exhaustion consumed her, and she wanted nothing more than to go to sleep. “Let’s just go home.”
Grevik’s apartment was on the way to the castle, so they continued walking together. She still had an eerie sensation that someone was watching her. She asked Grevik if he noticed anything amiss, but he didn’t.
“Let me walk you home,” he offered.
“That’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
“I know you don’t want your parents to meet me for whatever reason, but at least let me walk you to your building.”
She had told him she lived in a small place on the western side of the city in an average neighborhood. He had even walked her there a few times, where he would bid her farewell. As soon as he was out of sight, she would sneak away and return to the castle. However, if she did that tonight, she would have to backtrack a solid mile in order to go home, and that was something she didn’t want to do, not with the distinct feeling she was being followed. If her father and Marek had drilled one thing into her head, it was to trust her instincts.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll just go home with you. I’ll only stay until I’m certain it’s safe.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, yawning. “I don’t mind walking you home.”
“But then who would walk you home?” she countered.
He chuckled. “And that’s why I love you.”
A few minutes later, she climbed through Grevik’s window and into his bedroom. It was small—just a cot and a chest of drawers.
“Since you’re such a pansy,” Grevik teased, “you can have my bed. I’ll take the ground.”
Too exhausted to argue, she yanked off her boots and lay on top of his blankets, not wanting to get too comfortable and fall asleep. She just needed to rest for a few minutes.
“Wake up,” a female voice gently said.
Allyssa peeled her eyelids open. She wasn’t in her bedchamber. Blimey. She jumped out of bed, nearly stepping on Grevik.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. “My mum can walk you home and explain to your parents what happened. I’m sure they’ll understand.”
What was Allyssa going to do? The sun was cresting over the rise, which meant it was nearly breakfast time. How would she sneak onto the castle grounds and reach her bedchamber now? Even if she went in through the servants’ entrance, she couldn’t go to the laundry room and climb back up the chute to her room. There would be too many people working at this hour. She’d never made this mistake before.
Standing there, she rubbed her temples. There had to be a way out of this. A horrible thought occurred to her—what if someone already noticed she wasn’t in her bedchamber? What would they do? Guards were posted outside her room at all times. If Mayra or Madelin discovered her missing, an alarm would be raised. Everyone would assume she’d been kidnapped.
“Is everything all right, dear?” Grevik’s mother asked.
“Yes,” Allyssa assured her.
“Would you like me to take you home?” she asked.
“No, that won’t be necessary.”
“You better be on your way if you want to make it to school on time,” she said.
After putting on her cloak and pulling the hood up, Allyssa descended the ladder and jumped onto the street, Grevik right behind her. “I don’t need your help,” she told him.