Witch Fall(28)

Lang made a sound low in his throat, his gaze settling on Lilette. “It would have been much better for Harshen had you just died when Laosh poisoned you.”

Guilt and anger twisted Lilette’s insides. None of it was her fault, but she had been the catalyst. “Laosh chose her own path.”

Lang huffed. “And the heir chose ours.”

Lilette shook her head, still not really believing it. “They couldn’t have come this far so quickly. It’s not possible.”

The eunuch studied her coolly. “Isn’t it?”

Lilette rubbed her temples and pictured the charts she’d seen in Bian’s home. “This time of year, the winds are wrong. Tacking into the wind, it would have taken them weeks to travel from Vorlay to Harshen.”

Lang crossed his arms. “It is said they had help.”

“What are you implying?” Jolin demanded.

He met her gaze head on. “That the witches in Kalari are helping them.”

Lilette froze as understanding washed over her.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jolin exclaimed. “We don’t involve ourselves in wars between nations.”

Lang’s brows came up. “Do you have another explanation for how they made a three week journey in three days?”

Lilette bit her lip. He was right. It was the only explanation that made sense.

“No,” Jolin admitted.

“See what you see instead of what you’re told to see,” Lang said.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Jolin spat.

Lilette rested her hand on her friend’s arm. The only people capable of moving the armada that quickly were the witches. She knew it and so did the others—Jolin just wasn’t ready to accept it yet. “What of the witches in the palace?” Lilette asked Lang.

“They were supposed to leave this morning, but Vorlay’s arrival put a stop to that.”

Jolin’s face drained of color. “They believed Chen’s ridiculous story?”

“None of them carefully inspected the body before they burned it,” replied Lang. “I suspect the boils put them off.”

Lilette gasped. “But the listeners would have heard us sing.”

“They wouldn’t have been able to differentiate us from Sash and the others.” Jolin gripped Lilette’s hand. “I must escape. You must come with me.”

Incredulous that Jolin would say as much in front of this eunuch, Lilette elbowed her. “You too, Ko,” Jolin added quickly.

Lilette rolled her eyes. That wasn’t what she’d meant, but she couldn’t say it in front of Lang.

“I can’t,” Ko murmured. Her face had gone gray, her eyes pinched shut as if to block out some terrible sight.

Lang raised a hand toward her before dropping it back to his side. “Ko . . .”

She met his gaze, tears lining the rims of her eyes. “I can’t. My son is here.”

“Is he not already lost to you?” Lang said so softly Lilette could barely hear him. Ko turned away. He opened his mouth, then closed it again. “If the witches truly are helping Vorlay, we stand no chance. I’ll get you off the island if I can, and hide you if I cannot.” He reached forward and brushed the backs of his fingers down her cheek.

Ko took his hand briefly in hers. “And if you fail? You know what the emperor will do to us.”

Lilette gaped at them.

“Ko, please,” Lang implored. “I have the resources this time. I swear I’ll keep you safe.”

“I can’t,” she whispered.

He reached into the folds of his robe and handed her a dagger. “Then take this.”

Ko blinked at wicked gleam of the blade. “Lang . . .”

“Take it.” He curled her fingers around the hilt and turned his attention to Lilette and Jolin. “Many of the elite guards have been reassigned as leaders of the militia. You stand a chance at escaping tonight. Climb the harem wall and hide. When morning comes, join one of the groups leaving the compound.”

Fear curled around Lilette’s belly, leaving her cold and shaking.

Lang studied her, his eyes glittering. “I will bring you some eunuch’s clothes. You’ll be less conspicuous that way. They’ll be hidden in the tree outside your room. May the Sun Dragon see you safely to your journey’s end.” He sent Ko a longing look. Then he turned and was gone.

“Safe journey,” Ko seemed to whisper to herself after he had gone, tears still brimming in her eyes. She glanced down at the dagger in her grasp and retreated to her room.

Jolin leaned over and whispered, “She’s in love with a eunuch?”

“Shh.” Lilette glanced back at the doorway. “He’s still a man, isn’t he?”