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"We have to get out of here."

Kel hissed earnestly, glancing around at the three captives.

Of the two with their eyes open, neither would meet her gaze.

"In two days, they will kill you," Kel whispered again. "Even you, Dash."

Her plea was met with silence.

Of the many scenarios that had crossed her mind, she hadn't given proper consideration to the fact that her friends may not even want to escape.

What should she do now?

While she frowned in frustration, finally Dash spoke up.

"Do you love him?"

His voice was hardly audible, his darkened eyes focused on Kel's neck, most likely on some kiss mark that hadn't been entirely concealed by her uniform.

"I-I guess s-I mean.." Kel was taken back by the sudden question. "That's not what's important right now."

"Did he trick you?" Dash persisted. "Is he holding you against your will?"

"No, he wouldn't.. Well-" Kel winced, remembering clearly how Calix threatened to tie her to his side if she ran away again.

She had no doubt the Emperor wouldn't hesitate to fulfill that threat. Still, she was the one who had forcefully barged into Calix's room this time.

"I overheard something about commotion over a fire," Dash went on, his eyes dropping back to the floor. "I could only think of you."

"Ah.." Kel couldn't bring herself to confess that she had been so eager to see Calix. "Anyway, I'm here to help you escape. So let's go."

Dash went quiet again.

Kel turned to Adriell, still hunched next to her father.

She felt a pang in her chest as she watched what had once been the kingdom's most powerful figures, now reduced to pathetic prisoners.

After all the things she'd felt for them--love, betrayal, anger, bitterness, and, finally, closure--now all that was left was the feeling that they had once been very important to her. If nothing else, she owed her past self the courtesy of protecting them one last time.

"I regret it."

Dash's hoarse voice sounded once again.

"If I knew, I never would have given you to them in the forest that night," he continued, at last locking eyes with Kel. "Even if it meant you'd be trapped in here with us now."

Kel didn't have the heart to tell him that she wouldn't be here with them anyway. Even if she was kicking and screaming, Calix still would have taken her for himself.

Because she was his dragon.

Did Dash know? That Itzae had only taken him in because of her? That the little girl he protected in the streets was someone an entire culture of people had been waiting for--the single person on the continent that the Dragon Emperor was interested in?

Had Dash realized that Itzae only took her in to eventually hand her over to Calix anyway?

"Well, I hope you live with that regret for years to come," Kel responded bitterly. "No, I'll make sure you do."

Mostly, she was beginning to feel a little sorry for her old friend, who was starting to seem more and more like an outsider among the three children raised by Itzae.

But if anger was the only emotion that would propel Dash forward, she was willing to provoke him as much as she needed to.

As long as he started moving again.

Though, it seemed unlikely he would, no matter how much she prodded.

Fortunately, Kel didn't have to worry about the dilemma of getting her friends to agree to escape for long.

When everyone had fallen silent again, leaving Kel to scratch her head, a cloaked figure slipped through the window.

Panic rose in Kel's chest as she whirled to face the newcomer.

"Who-"

But a red glimmer underneath the hood revealed the man's identity.

"Calix?!" she gasped.

"Shhhh," Calix brought a finger to his lips. "You were taking so long that I came to see what the problem was."

"Wait what? You.. knew I was here?" Kel hissed.

With a sigh, Calix approached her and flicked her forehead.

"You act like I haven't seen you do this several times already," he retorted. "I've decided one of us is going to have to start compromising."

Kel paused, her mouth gaping.

".. So you're going to help me set them free?"

"Obviously," Calix was clearly irritated. "Now can we get this over with, please?"

He shot Dash a decisive glare before nodding to the bed. "What are you waiting for?"

Dash returned the man's unsavory look, however, remaining firmly planted in his seat.

"You little brat," the Emperor huffed under his breath, taking a heavy step toward the stubborn man.

"Wait! I have one more question," Kel stopped him. "Why'd you have to sneak in? Can't you just officially let them go?"

Calix paused with another sigh, his eyes still narrowed at Dash.

"I know you tend to do whatever you want," he growled, "but there are some lines even a tyrant can't cross."

"Itzae raised such ill-behaved children," he added, taking another step toward Dash.

Dash's face changed at the mention of Itzae.

"What do you-"

"Let me be clear, Dashien," Calix lowered his voice, a murderous aura filling the room, "if I had it my way, I'd see your head hanging on the castle gates."

The cloaked man continued taking slow, dangerous steps until he loomed ominously over Dash.

"But I owe that old man a very big favor, so I'm going to let you live," he snarled. "Now go collect those two useless people on the bed and get out of here."

Dash shivered under the vicious scarlet gaze, his resolve faltering.

With Calix's terrifying expression, even the dispirited Adriell was soon on her feet. Dash and Kel worked together to lift the old king toward the window, nobody daring to oppose the ruthless Emperor.

At one point, Kel noticed Calix falter slightly before quickly resuming his imposing character, and she felt a twinge of guilt. No matter how strong he was, at the end of the day, Calix was a human--a human with very severe wounds--and instead of resting, he was forced to follow Kel's whims.

Well, technically, nobody had forced him. But Kel knew without his help, her plan would have already fallen through.

True to his word, Calix had prepared everything for Dash, Adriell and the king's escape. After using rope to lower themselves to the ground, the trio of escaped prisoners were met with the guide who would lead them to freedom.

After stepping out of the shadows, the man removed his hood, revealing golden eyes and silver hair.

"Quickly, please follow me."