That was all the opening the first assassin needed.
He tore free and retreated in one smooth, fluid motion, already turning toward the window. His mouth curved into a faint, satisfied smirk as shouts grew louder outside the chamber door.
"I will let you live tonight," he said calmly, his voice steady despite the chaos closing in. "Next time we meet, you will die."
He wrenched the window open as Aeron struggled to rise, his injured leg restricting his movement. Cold night air flooded the chamber, carrying with it the sounds from outside.
Just before disappearing into the dark, the assassin paused and glanced back, eyes glinting.
"The queen sends her regards."
Then both figures were gone, swallowed whole by the night just as the door burst open behind them. Armed men flooded into the chamber, steel swords flashing in the low light, boots thundering across the stone floor, far too late to stop assassins who had already vanished.
