The Book of Forbidden Wisdom by Gillian Murray Kendall

while I was busy stealing horses, I took one of Kalo’s pack animals as well.”
    â€œTrey,” I said, aghast, “they hang ­people for horse stealing.”
    â€œWhat about bride stealing? Come on, Angel. We have to put some miles behind us tonight.”
    The scent of the flowers was stifling, and I couldn’t think. But at Trey’s vehemence, Silky rolled over and opened her eyes and lay there, staring at the two of us. She looked from me to Trey.
    â€œAre we being rescued ?” she asked.
    And all I could say was “Yes.”

 
Chapter Five
    The Floating Island
    I changed out of my nightclothes. Trey kept his back turned, but I was already shamed. He had seen me in night garb.
    He had held me in night garb.
    He had held me.
    Despite the shame, however, I can’t say that I felt particularly soiled. Not the way the chaperones had all pledged I would if anyone but my husband did so much as touch my hand. Trey had smelled good: of soap and leather and clean air. And he had felt good: strong and comforting.
    I packed some clothes in a satchel. I was not going to risk trying to get to Silky’s room, so she would have to make do with my things. She often wore them anyway.
    Trey stood by the window, waiting.
    We were ready, but before I committed myself to the night, I had one question for Trey.
    â€œIs there any talk—­” I hesitated. “Is there any talk that Leth might want to marry me after all?”
    â€œDo you care?” asked Trey.
    I thought for a moment. “I do,” I said finally. “If he defies his parents, the Arbitrator will have to allow the marriage. If he defies his parents, I’ll still marry him. He was only weak. He would never hurt me. I really believe that.”
    Trey smiled, but it was a bitter smile. “ ’He would never hurt me.’ There’s a basis for matrimony. Leth wanted your land, Angel, and more. The Nessons want the knowledge in The Book of Forbidden Wisdom . I imagine Leth’s piqued he didn’t get it for them.”
    â€œIs that what you want?” I asked, but Trey just laughed.
    Then he said, “Leth’s parents have already licensed the Arbitrator to search for another alliance for him.”
    â€œHe said he’d never marry.”
    â€œI’m sure that’s what he said,” Trey answered. “I don’t doubt you. But his parents are very strong-­willed.” He wasn’t smiling now. Silky looked from one of us to the other.
    â€œWhat about the rescue ?” she asked.
    W e took almost nothing—­some clothes, blankets. I handed my crossbow to Silky, who didn’t dare go to her room for hers. We all knew she was the better shot.
    Outside the stables, the horses were tethered to a post.
    â€œAll right,” said Trey. “Let’s ride for it.”
    I thought for a moment of what would happen if we were taken now. We would all be dead, but they would make Trey suffer before they killed him.
    At first we stayed off the path and in the shadows; the grass absorbed the sound of horses’ hooves. But once we had moved beyond the shadow of the house, Trey picked up a canter, and Silky and I followed suit, Silky’s pony, Squab, taking two strides for every one of Trey’s great horse, Bran.
    â€œ Angel .” Silky had to raise her voice to be heard. “ Angel, look at the house. It’s full of light. Like a lantern .”
    I called ahead to Trey and pulled up Jasmine. We stared at the house. There was light everywhere. I could see my window, and I could see the silhouettes of men crisscrossing the room with flaming torches.
    They were looking for me. I didn’t want to think about why, in the middle of the night, Kalo would send men to seek me in my bedchamber. He must have feared I would bolt.
    It was only a matter of time before they would realize that I wasn’t in the house at all. With Silky gone, Kalo’s