And so they went. Not just out of the audience chamber, but out of the building, to the stables. Their horses were too tired to be taken again. Kateesha threw a regretful glance back at Aethenoth as they rode away on someone else's steeds.
The horses ran full tilt. Only when they could take no more, did Kateesha call a halt. Daniel slid from his saddle, his eyes on the lonely road behind them. "They'll hunt us."
"Perhaps. Would you rather have stayed there and waited for your death to be handed to you?"
His silence hung heavy. At last he answered, "No."
"Good. Once the horses have rested we'll need to find shelter. It will be morning soon."
Daniel nodded, then, in a tone so low she could hardly hear, he asked, "Do you love me?"
The question caught her by surprise and she laughed. "Should I?"
He looked away. His mouth twisted unhappily. "We've been partnered on several occasions. We work well together. We-" he broke off but she could see the bloody memories in his mind.