Corvus stood in the quiet of the alleyway, his hand still extended. The heavy hum of the palace gala felt a world away, replaced by the dripping of rainwater and the girl’s uneven breathing.
"I can help you get back," Corvus said, his voice dropping to a low, steady tone. "But you’re a long way from home. To get to the Cirnoid kingdom, we have to cross the territory the Squanoids took after the war."
The girl flinched, looking at the distant, glowing skyline of the city of glass. "I know. That’s why I was trying to hack the signal. I thought if I could loop the Dianoid sensors, I could slip across the border without anyone noticing."
Corvus let out a short, dry laugh. "The Squanoids don't use our sensors. They have their own eyes. If you step onto their soil without a royal clearance or a cloaking field, you’ll be flagged before you take ten steps."
He stepped closer, his royal signet ring catching the dim light. "I have access to the old archives in the palace. There are maps from before the war, paths that the Sentinel hasn't paved over yet. If we can get to them, I can guide you through."
The girl hesitated, her eyes searching his face. "Why would the Prince of the Dianoids risk his crown for a girl from the Cirnoid kingdom? My people say your kind treats everyone else like dust on a diamond."
"Maybe I’m tired of the mirrors and the statues," Corvus replied, his expression hardening. "And maybe I’m tired of watching the world be cut in half by a machine."
She looked down at her boots, then finally placed her hand in his. Her skin was warm, a sharp contrast to the cold rain. "I'm not just a traveler, Corvus. If we get caught, it won't just be a scandal. It’ll be a disaster."
"Then we won't get caught," Corvus said firmly. He began to lead her toward a side entrance of the palace, a hidden stone door used by the royal scouts. "But you know my name. It’s only fair I know yours before we go any further."
She took a deep breath, the name resting on her tongue like a secret she wasn't ready to give up. "It's Nora," she whispered.
