He soon finished dressing his wounds, putting everything back in the drawer, shrugging into his new shirt with barely a wince. He glanced at her, then back to the door, his expression torn. Then, he shook his head as if he couldn't believe he was doing this. "This way," he snapped, yanking open the closet. "Inside, now."



Puck smiled a little

She rolls her eyes, but goes in.

Putting a hand to the back wall, he closed his eyes and muttered several strange, unfamiliar words under his breath. A thin rectangle of light appeared, and Ash pulled open another door, bathing the room in pale light and revealing an icy staircase plunging into darkness. "Come on." He turned to her and held out a hand. "This will take us out of the palace, but we have to hurry before it disappears."

Behind them, a roar of discovery echoed through the hall, as something poked its head in the room and bellowed for its friends.

She gives him a long look, then heads down the stairs without taking his hand.

Ash followed her down the glittering staircase and through a narrow corridor studded with leering gargoyles and flickering blue torches. He didn't speak; the only sounds were their footsteps echoing off the stones. Several times, the tunnel split off in different directions, but Ash always chose a path without hesitation. The temperature here was frigid, and Isiea's breath clouded the air as they went, Ash listening for sounds of pursuit.

The passage abruptly dead-ended, a solid wall of ice blocking their path.

She turns to look at Ash.

She blushed lightly but didn't do much besides that.

Ash walked forward, placed one hand against the ice. With sharp, crinkly sounds, it parted under his fingers, until another tunnel stretched away before them, ending in open air. Ash turned to her. "Stay close," he murmured, making a quick gesture with his hand. She could feel the tingle of glamour as it settled over her like a cloak. "Don't talk to anyone, don't make eye contact, and don't attract any attention. With that glamour, no one will notice you, but it will break if you make a noise or catch someones eye. Just keep your head down and follow me."


Puck ran his thumb over her knuckles

She silently nods and focuses her attention on Ashs feet.

She glanced down at their interlocked hands.