by Frost Kay
It was time to show the rebel her new home.
Six
TEHL
As Tehl approached the door, two guards saluted and opened it for him. When he crossed the threshold, a flutter of movement had him glancing down at his unconscious captive to find green eyes scrutinizing him.
“It’s awake,” he called to his brother and cousin.
“And it has a name,” she snapped. “What did you do? I still can’t feel my arms or legs…” Seeming to realize she was still in his arms she demanded, “Put. Me. DOWN. You have no right to hold me.”
Gav’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “Correct me if I am wrong, but I was under the impression that attacking the crown prince is against the law.” Gavriel stared, daring her to argue with him. She glared at all of them as they continued their descent.
“Well, I didn’t know he was the crown prince.” She huffed out an annoyed breath. “I thought he was a thief and I was protecting myself. Why aren’t my legs working?” she asked again.
If only it was her mouth she couldn’t feel. “It will wear off with no permanent damage,” he supplied, hoping it would quiet her.
“I am so grateful there will be no permanent damage, my prince,” she mocked, lip curling.
What a terribly vexing wench. If she wanted to irritate him then he’d return the favor. Tehl squeezed her against his chest, lowering his head. A low hum rumbled in his throat as he grazed her temple with the tip of his nose.
“I like the way you say ‘my prince.’ Say it again for me.” Tehl lifted his head and took in her reaction. Her face was pinched and her lips clamped shut so tightly they were turning white.
Well that shut her up.
A smile played about his mouth as he continued, “Shall we go and explore your new home then, my love?”
“I’d be delighted, my pet,” she hissed through clenched teeth.
“Pet… Interesting word choice. What do you think about that, Sam?”
His brother glanced over, biting back a grin. “There are so many things I could say, but alas—” Sam sighed. “I suppose I shall control myself.”
Gav scoffed, “There’s a first time for everything.”
The girl’s brows wrinkled in confusion. “What’s wrong with the word ‘pet’?”
Tehl arched a brow. “Would you like me to show you?”
Her face cleared as understanding dawned and her eyes widened in horror. She lifted her chin. “Not on your life.”
The little rebel stiffened in his arms as Sam coughed—a lame attempt to cover his snicker.
Having reached the base of the stairs, they approached a sturdy-looking desk where the Keeper was scribbling away furiously, their boots splashing in shallow pools covering the stone floor.
The Keeper, an older man by the name of Jeffry had a wicked sense of humor and Tehl considered him a close friend. The man had a scruffy gray and white beard, and deep wrinkles bracketed his charcoal eyes. As he was rarely outdoors, his skin was so pale he almost resembled a specter.
At their approach, he abandoned his scratching, meeting Tehl’s eyes, before sliding his gaze to the woman in his arms. He sat back and laced his fingers across his stomach as they stopped before his desk.
Tehl gave the older man a warm smile and lifted the girl in his arms. “I have a new one for you, Jeffry.”
Jeffry’s gaze settled back on his new prisoner, and he quirked an eyebrow in question. “Well, isn’t this a surprise,” Jeffry commented, staring at Sage with interest. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of housing a woman down here. It’s a delight to meet you missy.” Jeffry stood as he spoke, his chair creaking. He reached over his wooden desk and gently patted the woman’s arm.
He then pinned Tehl with his off-putting eyes. “You’re positive you’ve got the right one? This isn’t fit for women.”
“She’s the rebel we were after this morning. You can imagine my surprise as well when I realized it was she we came for.”
Jeffry continued to eye him and then addressed the girl. “Are you dangerous, little miss?”
“Come nearer, and I’ll show you,” the rebel purred.
Jeffry grinned. “Well. This shall be interesting, my dear. Welcome.” He then opened one tomb atop his desk and dragged a finger down the page.
“Jacque,” Jeffry called, lifting his head. “Please put her in cell two-zero-eight.” He rubbed his silver eyebrows and inquired: “What was your name, miss? It’s imperative I keep my records well organized and up to date. I’m sure you understand.”
The rebel stayed silent.
“It’s Ruby,” Sam offered.
The Keeper jotted down her name and swept his arm in a grand gesture toward the sharp-faced Jacque. “Jacque will show you to your new home! Be seeing you soon, my dear.” The Keeper then ridiculously fluttered his fingers at Ruby as Tehl departed with her.
Jacque peeled himself from the wall, moving passed them as the stoic guard led them deeper into the dungeon.
“I am not your ‘dear’!” Ruby called over his shoulder.
“Always a pleasure,” the old man called back, adding to himself, “She is delightful. Absolutely delightful.”
Tehl allowed himself a small smile at Jeffry’s antics. He was eccentric, but he was a hard worker and extremely loyal. The Keeper had been one of his father’s closest companions. Jeffry was present at both princes’ births. The Keeper had sat with his father outside their mother’s chamber, helping to calm him while he awaited his sons. Previously a member of the Elite under King Marq, his age had eventually prevented him from fulfilling his duties. Although he could have retired to his keep, he instead opted to continue his service to the Crown here saying that although he wasn’t as able as he was in his youth, he still had a lot to offer. And he was right. The Keeper was one of the few he considered family.
Tehl watched as the girl absorbed her new surroundings. Iron bars and mossy stone encased them. Each cell was small, sparse, and drab; either cloaked in shadow or shrouded with complete darkness. Some cells boasted a window but that was not necessarily a blessing. Hearing the crashing waves outside and knowing freedom was so close yet unattainable seemed like another kind of torture. It was a depressing place to spend one’s time.
Jacque had stopped ahead of them and was unlocking a cell, swinging open the door with a screech. A rusted two-zero-eight hung above the door, and Tehl gauged its interior dimensions at around nine feet by nine. Its only contents were an old cot and a bucket in one corner. In the center of the floor, emitting a putrid stench, was a sturdy metal grate.
Tehl stepped through the doorway, carrying the small rebel like a bride over a threshold. Her eyes found his, pleading with him not to cage her in here. A flicker of uncertainty gave him pause.
What if I’m wrong?
He mentally slapped himself for these thoughts. No matter the lies she spouted, it did nothing to change what he’d seen with own eyes; she was a rebel supporter.
He strolled in and unceremoniously deposited her on the cot, quickly exiting the cell. He allowed the cell door to shut behind him, ringing with a sense of finality, before turning around.
Tehl stood with the three men, rolling his shoulders, and shook out his arms as a million pinpricks traveled down them. They had fallen asleep holding her for so long. The men regarded the motionless woman, waiting, but she only stared at the ceiling blankly. Tehl had expected a lot more shrieking and cursing based on her prior behavior, but she stayed silent.
He gripped the iron bars and cleared his throat. Her green eyes dispassionately wandered to his chest, lacking their previous fire. Why wasn’t she looking him in the eye? “Ruby, I would think long and hard about your life choices. If you help us, things will be a lot easier for you. If not…” He paused long enough for her to meet his eyes. “There will consequences for your actions.”
She stared at him stonily. “You promised not to hurt me. Are you so dishonorable to go back on your word?” Her gaze drifte
d over the other men. “You ought to be ashamed of yourselves, taking part in this madness. Do you take pleasure in his unjust actions and threats?”
None of them responded to her bait. The girl’s attention then swung back to him. As he suspected, she was quite the actress. Here she was trying to manipulate them from her cell. Tehl detested lying, and it was all she’d done since first opening her big mouth. Had she been honest, even once, things might have been different.
“The devil’s in the details, love.” Her eyes narrowed. “I said no harm would come to you when I took you to the palace, not while you’re staying here.”
“Staying?” She let out an unladylike snort. “You talk as if I’m some honored guest and not a prisoner trapped in the dark belly of your home.”
“It’s rather like we’re living together. Don’t most men keep their mistresses hidden?” Tehl needled.
Her pale cheeks colored to an alarming shade of red, her ire raised. She closed her eyes and blew out a breath, dismissing them. Her impassive mask slid back in place.
“Be seeing you soon.”
Still nothing.
She was in her own little world. He would need to make it difficult for her to ignore him at their next interaction.
Tehl pushed off the bars, nodding to Jacque. The wiry guard took the lead, guiding them through the dungeon. Its design ensured those attempting escape would have a hard time accomplishing the feat, most likely losing their way among its various twists and turns. Gavriel’s steps echoed behind him yet his brother’s steps were noticeably absent. Sam moved like a griffin in the darkness, silent and predatory. When they reached Jeffry’s desk, Jacque strolled to his usual position behind it, leaning against the wall.
Tehl nodded to them both before heading back up the stairway. He needed to get away. The rebel wench was still messing with his mind. Pushing up the stairs he broke into a run, thighs burning as he burst through the door like the devil was on his tail. In the dim courtyard, his breath seesawed out of his chest.
Why can’t things be black and white? He hated gray areas.
Sam and Gav caught up with him, faces showing their confusion. Odd, since nothing surprised Sam anymore. What had he done wrong this time?
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Sam opened and closed his mouth a couple times before saying anything. “I’m not sure where to start.” His brother sighed, covering his face with his large hand, and glanced at his cousin. “Do you want to go first, or shall I?”
Gav grunted. “You.”
Sam held up one finger. “First, I have never heard you call a woman ‘my love’. Not in jest and not in seriousness. Brother, you hardly even talk to women, let alone bestow an endearment.” Sam shook his head. “Of course, you’d start with our minx of a prisoner, who is guilty as sin.”
He gave his brother a black look. “I meant nothing by it. I was only trying to irritate her.”
Sam looked at him skeptically, holding up a second finger. “Second, did or did I not hear you flirt with her?” He turned to Gav for confirmation.
“Yep that happened,” Gav drawled.
Tehl blinked. “No, I didn’t.” What were they talking about?
“I’ve only heard you use innuendo a handful of times our entire lives, and I have never seen you flirt, not even once.” Gav grimaced. “It was odd.”
“Ass.” Not his best retort.
“No more than you were today,” Gav quipped.
“Touché,” Tehl conceded.
“Third,” Sam interjected, holding up three fingers, “you were acting out of character. Why were you playing the lecher? None of us have touched a woman without invitation. Why would you make her think such?”
“She wasn’t afraid,” Tehl explained. “She wouldn’t stop fighting me, though I tried everything. I tried to be peaceful and speak with her. When that didn’t work, I threatened her and her loved ones but still nothing. I had to do something.” Both men were visibly upset by his explanation. He pointed a finger, first to Sam, then Gav. “Don’t you two give me those looks and don’t be hypocrites. I’ve observed both of you interrogate, and I know some of the things you’ve said or done because you understood it necessary for them to cooperate.”
Sam opened his mouth, but the look on Tehl’s face must have made his brother reconsider his comment.
“No, Sam. She is still our enemy, regardless of her gender. Everything she represents threatens our families and the safety of the people in our kingdom. I did what I had to. I used what scared her to our advantage.”
“So, you’re saying you want us to threaten to ravish her?”
His brother locked eyes with him. Sam was serious. It was times like these when he remembered just how dangerous Sam could be. He would do anything to protect Aermia and its people.
“No, Sam.” Frustrated, Tehl kicked a rock with the toe of his boot. “I scared her by crowding her and leering, but that’s as far as I want to take it. The entire time, I was only trying to scare her into cooperating, but my stomach churned. When I think about it, I feel sick,” he confessed. Her terrified eyes flashed through his mind. Boredom, shock, irritation—yes, all of those. But never fear. He lifted his head and stared at the inner wall, eyes distant. “We don’t need to give the rebels any more reasons to hate us. We may need that information but not enough to incite a riot over our tactics.”
“You think that could happen?” Gav asked.
“I do. I have never met a woman with skills like hers. No doubt someone will miss her and perhaps already has. I think it wise for one of us to always have an eye on her. We need to make certain none of the men cross a line they shouldn’t.”
Both nodded in agreement.
“It’s what makes us different from the criminals; we have honor and we have morals.” Gav then turned his head and stared pointedly at Sam. “Well, at least some of us have morals.”
Sam stared right back and, to Tehl’s shock and amusement, a slight blush crept up his cheeks. “Hey now, I have morals. I do my duty as commander, I am excellent at being sneaky, I treat women right, and I always respected my mother.” Sam crossed his arms, mock-glaring at them both.
“I think you and I have a very different view of morals, my friend.” Gav said lightly, regarding the guards moving through the training yard and barracks.
Sam retorted something but their voices soon faded to a dull buzz as he tuned them out. The sun had already begun its descent behind the palace, throwing jagged shadows across the courtyard. Nothing had gone as planned today and while his head throbbed, his entire body was a giant bruise.
He tuned back into their conversation, looking their way. Apparently, they were still bickering about morals with Sam losing. The corner of his mouth lifted as he listened to them. They argued like an old married couple.
“So…” He began, raising his voice so they’d hear him over their debate. They both paused, looking at him expectantly. “I will go and get cleaned up. In the meantime, I’ll leave Jeffry to take care of that Ruby girl until we’re ready for her interrogation.” He turned his back to them, already starting toward the palace when Sam’s words stopped him.
“You mean the rebel, right?” Sam asked.
Tehl’s brow furrowed. What? He peered over his shoulder. “That’s what I said.”
“No, you said Ruby.”
“That’s her name, is it not?” Tehl intoned. A flicker of annoyance ran through him at the delay of his warm bath. “Out with it, Sam.”
“In using her name you’re establishing a connection to her.” Sam gave him a searching look. “She’s nothing but a wealth of information. An asset. A prisoner. Maybe you need to keep your distance.”
He didn’t care if Sam handled this. That meant one less thing on his list to take care of. “If that’s what you think is best, Commander,” Tehl murmured, emphasizing Sam’s title. He shifted impatiently from one foot to another. “Are we done?”
“Yeah, we are. Go take a bath.
Lord! You reek. I can smell you from here.” Sam wrinkled his nose. “What in God’s name did you get into, anyway?”
Tehl sent a rude gesture Sam’s way, nodded to Gav, and made his way back to the palace.
Seven
SAMUEL
“He doesn’t know what he is getting into with that woman,” Gav declared as they watched Tehl limp his way to the palace. “She’s a distraction he doesn’t need.”
Sam couldn’t agree more; the girl was heaps of trouble wrapped in a tantalizing package, one that even his brother had noticed.
“She’s dangerous, that one, and in more ways than I can count. Tonight, I’ll be having a little chat with her to get a feel for what we’re working with here. I have a feeling she isn’t the type to break easily. It’ll take just the right touch.”
Gav turned his startling purple eyes on him. “If you hurt her, he will be livid,” Gav admonished him. “If you don’t tread carefully, this will come back on us, you understand that?”
Sam nodded, but Gav’s words rankled. He wasn’t a bumbling idiot or wet behind the ears. Sam clasped his hands to his chest and smirked at his cousin. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Women love me! She’ll be putty in my hands in no time.” He pasted on a smug grin full of male confidence.
“She’s not your typical woman. I bet she will see through anything you throw her way.”
“We shall see about that, we shall see. Care to bet on it?”
Gav rolled his eyes and followed Tehl’s example, heading back to the palace.
Sam rubbed his hands together. He eagerly anticipated this new challenge. Puzzles were his specialty, and Ruby was a puzzle that could solve more than a few of their problems.
Eight