From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

ferret out the onlyy boots I owned from their hiding place, tucked under the
head of the bed. If the maids found them, theyy would be sure to talk, and
eventuallyy, whatever theyy said would make its wayy back to someone.
I had less than a minute to get out.
Dust and small rocks drifted from above as the castle continued to
tremble. Moonlight broke through the cracked, dustyy windows as I
rounded the final set of steps, slipping over the bottom two and all but
sliding out into the emptyy pantryy. The movement caused nothing more
than a dull flare of pain where the welts were healing.
Thrusting the bow into the folds of the cloak, I darted into the chaotic
kitchen where servants clamored for access to the hidden safe rooms that
doubled as food storage. Guards rushed for the main entrance, where the
largest shield would be locking into place within seconds. No one paid me
anyy mind as I ran for the back hall, where one of the iron doors was
alreadyy halfwayy down.
Spitting out a curse that Vikter would’ve turned red at, and Ryylan
would’ve…he would’ve smiled at if he were still here, I picked up speed
and then dipped. The silk and satin slippers aided in the descent. I slid
under the door, nearlyy losing myy balance as I skidded out into the night air.
The heavyy door groaned as it settled into place. I backed awayy and then
turned, myy lips curving into a broad smile Tawnyy would’ve found not onlyy
concerning but also disturbing.
I’d made it to the bridge.
Not wasting time, I raced across the narrow walk high above the
houses and shops. I didn’t dare look to myy sides as there was no railing.
One slip, and well…
What was in the mist would no longer be a concern.
Reaching the wider ledge of the Rise, I tossed the bow onto the top
and then hoisted myyself up. The healing skin of myy back stretched,
causing me to wince as the cloak and the gown parted, revealing nearlyy the
entire length of myy leg. I yyearned for the thin breeches often worn under
certain styyles of gowns, but there hadn’t been enough time.
I grasped the bow and started toward the western wall, arriving as the
mist seemed to become a solid mass, carryying with it the scent of metal
and decayy. Ahead, archers waited in their nests of stone, like birds of preyy,
their bows and arrows steadyy. I knew not to get too close, as a guard from
the Rise would surelyy notice and ask questions. And while Tawnyy had