Page 173 of A Queen This Fierce and Deadly

“That’s very kind of you. But I’m not going forward. I’m going up.”

It took him a single moment to understand what I was going to do. And then he nodded. “I’m coming with you.”

I’d be a hypocrite if I attempted to stop him. And Icould use the help. “Fine. Help me find the best way up.”

First, he stopped several more archers. “We need your arrows,” he said.

One of them opened her mouth to protest. Then she realized what we were up to. With a shake of her head that made it clear she was marveling at our stupidity, she handed over half of the arrows in her quiver.

So did the other archers.

“May the gods be with you,” they said. And then they were gone.

I stared at the man. He stared back.

“My name is Cryton,” he said.

“Asinia.”

He gestured at the rock to our right. “I think this is the best way. It’s close enough to the entrance that we won’t have to climb for long. See how it slopes down here?”

I did see. Already, I could hear swords clashing as our soldiers retreated toward us. We either had to move forward or go up. If we stayed here, we’d be in their way.

The Eprothans had brought light orbs with them. Without the glow from those orbs, we never could have made it up. I went first, my heart hammering in my chest as a pained scream sounded from just footspans away.

My breaths came in frantic, strained gasps.

“Fingers and toes,” Cryton said from below me. “Just remember to dig in as hard as you can.”

I nodded, although he likely couldn’t see it in the dim light. But I ran my hand up, searching for each little hold, mound, crack. The rock cut into my hands, making my palms slippery, and I pressed my hands harder into thestone. My new crossbow thumped across my shoulders, threatening to throw me off-balance. But the feel of it made Demos’s face flash before my eyes. The pride in his eyes when he’d realized how much I liked it. The fact that he’d found a gift so perfect for me.

I dug in deeper. When I dared to look up, pushing harder into the rock with my feet, I could see a tiny ledge, perhaps ten footspans above my head. Carved by the elements, it would provide just enough space for the two of us to position ourselves and enjoy an unobstructed view—as long as the ledge didn’t crumble beneath us.

A few more footspans of inching up the rock until I could reach for it, stretching my left hand high. My hand slid, and the shift in balance jolted the rest of my body, turning my mouth watery with fear.

But my gaze caught on another hold just a little lower—not quite as easy to grasp, but it would work. Slowly, carefully, I focused on each finger and toe, pressing them into the rock.

My legs began to shake.

“You can do it,” Cryton murmured. “Let’s make them pay, Asinia.”

I didn’t have any rage or vengeance left in me at that moment. But what I did have was terror. Terror for Demos, who might be bleeding and dying even now.

Letting out a strangled sob, I threw my hand over the edge and onto the ridge. My arms ached, but I hauled myself up, shifting over for Cryton.

For a moment, we jostled for space as both of us reached for our crossbows and quivers. And then, I nocked my first arrow.

We had a perfect vantage point.

And below me, Demos fought for his life.

Three Eprothans had pinned him, the rock at his back. My entire body jolted, and Cryton placed his hand on my arm.

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” he whispered.

One of the soldiers stepped forward, and then paused, hesitating. Ah. They hadn’t pinnedhim. He’d positioned himself strategically, the rock at his back. Each soldier needed room to attack, but with the three of them so close, Demos could easily notice any change in body language that warned of an impending attack. When the soldiers did make a move, they would get in one another’s way.

They had no choice but to attack as one.

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