by Frost Kay
Gav’s face hardened. “There’s been an incident with the girl, Ruby: she’s sick. She needs a healer.”
“She can have one when she answers our questions,” Tehl retorted.
“Tehl, it’s serious.”
The stress of the last several days combined with his desperate need for sleep increased his frustration. Tehl glared at his cousin and spoke harshly. “If that’s the case then it should be easy to make her a deal. She gives us what we need in exchange for a healer. She is a prisoner, not a guest. My orders stand. No bread and just enough water to keep her sustained! Is that all?”
Gav picked an imaginary piece of lint of his shirt and looked up at him, his purple eyes simmering with anger. “Yes, that is all, Your Highness.”
His anger melted away with his cousin’s mild answer. Shame and embarrassment pricked him over his outburst. As Gavriel sketched a bow and stalked away, he called out to him. “Gav… I’m sorry, but we need her talking—and soon.”
His cousin glowered over his shoulder. “If she dies, it will be on your head. Will you be able to shoulder that? I know you. You would never forgive yourself.”
Tehl blew out a frustrated breath as he moved into his room. Thinking on his words, guilt pricked him. Gav had a good heart and was only being a decent human being. He didn’t deserve such treatment.
His chamberlain entered, distracting him from his thoughts, and began divesting him of his chain mail and leathers. After everything had been removed, he rolled his shoulders, relishing how light he was without them.
“Would you like me to ready a bath for you, Your Highness?” the chamberlain inquired.
Tehl knew he needed one but figured he was so exhausted that he’d probably fall asleep and drown in the tub. “No, that will be all.”
The chamberlain bowed and then departed. Tehl looked across the room to the mirror; his face and clothing were streaked with dirt, ash, and sweat. His eyes were bloodshot with his eyes turning a hideous shade of blue green. He trudged over to the washbasin and began scrubbing all the skin he could reach. Once he’d completed that, he peeled off the rest of his soiled clothing, leaving a trail to the bed. His eyes burned as he closed them. All his worries and responsibilities could wait for tomorrow. Time for blessed sleep.
Seventeen
TEHL
e faint light of dawn painted the ceiling a soft buttery yellow, rousing the crown prince from his bed. Goosebumps appeared on his arms and torso the moment his feet touched the icy stone floor. He rubbed his tired eyes, wishing he could slip back into bed and stay there. Tehl shuffled to the window and squinted as he watched the new day dawn. He had a mountain of things to do, but before anything else, he needed to deal with the rebel.
Tehl abandoned the peaceful picture his window offered him. It was time to get moving. He threw on a clean pair of trousers and a linen shirt, stumbling as he tried to pull on his boots. He opened his door as quietly as possible and peeked out, glancing down the hall in both directions. Pleased to find it empty, he gave a smile, nodding to the guards stationed at his door, and slipped away. The last thing he needed was to be waylaid. He snaked through the corridors, hoping to remain unnoticed, and exited through the east entrance. The sun caressed his face and he closed his eyes, taking a moment to savor its warmth. The metal ring of swords pulled him from his trance. Tehl opened his eyes and cocked his head, watching Samuel beat Jaxon into submission. Both men had discarded their shirts, skin covered with dirt. Noticing his brother watching, Sam shot him a grin. “Coming to practice, brother?”
“Not this morning. I have other duties demanding my attention.”
“If you need my help, you know where I am.” Sam winked and turned back to Jaxon.
Tehl dismissed his brother and strode to the dungeon entrance. The guards stationed there snapped to attention with a bow. He dipped his head in acknowledgment and continued down the stairs to the bowels of the castle. Jeffry was slumped at his desk, stroking his mustache, obviously deep in thought. His eyes lifted to Tehl, bitterness filling his face.
Tehl’s brows furrowed as he stopped before the old man’s desk. “Is everything all right, Jeffry?” The Keeper’s scowl deepened. Multiple emotions flickered on the older man’s face until it settled into a mix of disappointment and distaste. Confusion swirled through him. What had he done to deserve that look?
“My lord, I have always supported your father, yourself, and your brother because your family has always been honorable and just. You know I consider you part of my family.”
“Thank you, Jeffry. You have been faithful in your service and a wonderful friend to my father. My brother and I consider you family as well.”
“I’m afraid I hadn’t finished, son.”
Tehl straightened at Jeffry’s bluntness. The Keeper pierced him with another dissatisfied look. What could have upset him to such a degree? He had never been one to take offense easily in the past. Tehl opened his mouth to ask, when Jeffry cut in.
“May I speak plainly?”
Despite the awkward tension between them, a smile crept onto Tehl’s face. He’d never known his old friend to speak in any other way. Jeffry was a blunt man.
“You always have before. Even if I said ‘no’, I doubt that would keep you from telling me, anyway.”
Jeffry cracked a brief, crooked smile but quickly sobered. “What you are doing with that woman is wrong, sire. She has caused no trouble, and from my brief talks with her, she is a lovely young woman.”
Tehl sent Jeffry an incredulous look and chuckled. He hooked his thumb over his shoulder pointing down the hall. “Are we speaking of the same woman? You don’t mean the vicious viper Sam and I brought in here?”
Jeffry straightened and stood up to his full five-foot seven-inch frame. The older man placed his gnarled hands on his desk and leaned forward. “She shouldn’t be here.”
Tehl couldn’t believe it, she had Jeffry fooled. Gavriel was all up in arms over her needing medical care last night. What sort of spell had she cast over everyone while he was away?
By now, more than a bit annoyed, Tehl stared at Jeffry and inquired, “I understand you disagree and your opinion is noted. However, have my instructions been followed?”
Jeffry stiffened at the dismissal but nodded.
“Just rations of food and water? No blankets? No care as I requested?”
“Yes, we have followed your commands to the letter, my lord.”
“Then I appreciate your devotion to your responsibilities despite your personal feelings. Now though, I must see if I can glean any information from our captive.” He gave Jeffry a short nod and strode with determination to the cells. He’d only made it three steps when Jeffry spoke from behind him.
“I doubt you’ll get anything from her.”
Tehl looked over his shoulder with a chilling smile. “I’m sure I’ll find a way.”
As he continued down the dank hallway, his mind turned over the odd conversation. Jeffry had never been disappointed in him, and he didn’t like that he seemed to be now. Curses and pleas were shouted to him as he wound his way toward the woman’s cell. He passed one cell only to pause and back up.
The Scythian woman.
She sat in the dead center of her cell staring at nothing. Tehl scrutinized her for a moment, waiting for some reaction to his presence. Nothing. Not even a glance. Wherever she had buried herself within her mind, it was effective. She wasn’t mentally present.
Tehl shook his head and moved on. A conundrum, that’s what she was. But he would leave the figuring out to Sam; his brother salivated over puzzles, so it made sense to trust him with this one.
At the end of the dim hallway, he veered left and a familiar figure came into view. Gav was asleep against the wall not fifteen paces away. Why was his cousin sleeping down here? Was he that worried?
“He has quite the hero complex, doesn’t he?” a low voice whispered in his ear.
Years of training kept Tehl from flinching, and he knew hi
s brother was the only one who still surprised him. He rolled his eyes and turned as Sam emerged from the darkened area between two lanterns. “Was that really necessary?” Tehl quipped.
Sam smiled. “Someone has to keep you on your toes, and I need to keep up on my sneaking skills, so it’s dual purpose. Looks like you might need to brush up on your spying skills though.”
“That would be nice, but I doubt my advisers will let me out of the castle so soon after being gone for a couple days.” Tehl eyed Gav’s prone figure and then back to Sam. “Do you have any idea what he’s been up to? Did he speak with you at all last night?”
Sam shook his head. “I haven’t spoken to him since before we left. I was just as eager as you to speak with dear Ruby this fine morning.”
His cousin finally stirred and then hefted his large frame off the ground. Despite the weak lighting, Tehl was able to detect dark smudges under Gav’s eyes. When had he slept a full night? The extra responsibilities were taxing everyone, and he now felt even worse about their previous conversation. Tehl opened his mouth to apologize, but Gav held up a hand.
“Your prisoner awaits you,” Gav said flatly.
Damn. In letting his temper get the best of him, he’d really mucked things up last night. Tehl sighed. It wasn’t the place for apologies; he’d have to make amends later.
Tehl stepped up to the cell bars, his nose wrinkling at the smell. It smelled worse than a healer’s tent on a battlefield. Tehl examined the small form in the middle of the floor. She lay curled on her side with her back facing them. As she shifted, she disturbed the faded black cloak covering her, revealing a naked thigh. Tehl froze, his brain scrambling for some explanation. The last he had heard she’d stolen some clothing from the Guard, so how was she naked now?
His head whipped to the side, meeting Gavriel’s gaze. “Where are her trousers?” he asked sharply.
“Destroyed,” Gav bit out, his body rigid.
Tehl’s eyes returned to the pale bruised leg. “How?”
“Ask her yourself, sire.”
Tehl clenched his jaw at the sneer in his cousin’s voice and cleared his throat. “Time to get up.”
The wench didn’t move, she ignored him.
He raised his voice. “Answer me, rebel.”
Again, she didn’t acknowledge him, but continued to lie there. Tehl gritted his teeth and leaned forward, the cold metal biting into his hands as he squeezed the bars. “Listen here, Ruby, you will answer your crown prince and show some respect!”
A third time, she ignored him.
“Unlock it,” he demanded to no one in particular.
Sam stepped forward and placed the key in the lock and turned it. Tehl wrenched open the door and prowled around her body, stumbling as he caught sight of her face. It was almost unrecognizable. Her face was purple and swollen, the creases of her lids barely visible. Dried blood had clumped her black locks into snarls around her face.
Tehl leaned over and lifted the cloak, sucking in a sharp breath at her state. Everywhere he looked, her skin was mottled with bruises. She was too pale, almost translucent. His eyes tripped over her torn shirt and bare legs, cataloguing all the cuts that crisscrossed her thighs. Her blood was smeared over her body like a garish painting. He paused at the tourniquet tied around her left thigh.
Thank God someone had done at least that much.
Tehl swallowed thickly and lowered himself to a squat. Her hands were resting limply by her head, wrists oozing blood and yellow pus onto the stone beneath her.
“Gav, what happened?” he whispered, his voice hoarse, his eyes on her mutilated wrists.
“One captain took it upon himself to make sure she was interrogated.”
Bile burned his throat. He couldn’t believe it was one of his own men who did this. Shame and rage filled him. Tehl tore his eyes from the broken girl and stared at his cousin with accusation. “And where were you?”
His cousin’s face hardened. “I was taking care of the kingdom as you were hunting Scythians like you commanded me to, my lord.”
Tehl grunted, knowing he was being unfair, and turned back to the girl. He reached out and gently brushed the damaged skin around her wrist, still in shock. “All this from her bindings?”
Gav took a deep breath and shook his head. “When Jeffry and I came upon her, they’d already stripped her. She got those because they’d hung her from the ceiling by her wrists. Tehl…” He paused, swallowing. “There was so much blood. I didn’t know if she was alive when I pulled her down.”
Tehl lifted his hand and placed it on her forehead. She was burning up; a light sheen of sweat dampened her temples and her swollen face. He smoothed her hair from her face and glanced down at her bare thighs. His stomach rolled, and his breath seized. He had to ask. “Was she…” Tehl stuttered, “um, violated?”
Tehl held his breath as he awaited his cousin’s response. Gav’s expression promised death. The floor dropped out from under him. It had happened under his roof, so he was accountable. Prisoner or not, she was still his responsibility and never did he intend that sort of interrogation. There were some lines you just didn’t cross.
“No,” Gavriel growled, passed clenched teeth. “I arrived in time, but that doesn’t mean she’s unscathed. Take a closer look at her bruises.”
He peered at her and reached for her leg. Her body was a map of injuries. Tehl traced one and familiarity struck him. He looked between his hand and the mark.
Handprints.
They were bloody handprints.
Disgust washed over him; such treatment… How could it have happened under his watch? “Why hasn’t she been treated then?” he hissed, glaring at her offending bruises. Perhaps if he stared hard enough, he could singe them from her skin altogether.
“Because you ordered me not to. I did what I could for her without committing insubordination.”
Gavriel’s words cut him like a knife. His anger gave way to a heavier burden—soul-crushing guilt. She was going to die. He’d seen fevers like hers before; it’d be a miracle if she made it another night. While he was sleeping soundly in his bed, she’d lain, dying, on a cold, stone floor. A wet, rattling cough brought his attention back to the pitiful creature before him. Tehl leaned over her and shook her once. “Ruby?” She moaned and began to shiver, but didn’t wake. “Sam!” he called without taking his eyes off her. “Get her to a healer.”
Sam moved into the cell and knelt by her side. He placed his fingers above her collarbone and leaned over her. He placed his ear near her mouth and listened. After a moment, he rose, regret evident in his eyes. “Tehl, I honestly don’t think she’ll make it. Her lungs are filled with fluid—whether from the fever or blood from internal damage, I’m not certain.”
He should have listened to Gav. Because of his foolishness, the girl would die. “We need a healer. We have to try.”
Sam shook his head at him. “It’s too late brother, we can only make her comfortable.”
Tehl understood, but he wouldn’t accept it. There had to be something, anything. A hand squeezed his shoulder. Gavriel. His cousin no doubt blamed him, yet he still offered comfort, though he deserved none.
“Where do you want her moved?” Gav reached down to pick Ruby up.
Something about Gav holding her made him bristle. Tehl brushed aside Gav’s hands and scooped her up into his own arms. He cradled the frail body against him and stood. He all but ran from the cell, leaving his brother and cousin behind.
Sam caught up first. “What do you plan on doing for her? You can’t care for her, Tehl. Pass her to me, and I will see that she is cared for.”
He tightened his grip and picked up his pace. “It’s my fault she is in this state so she’s now my responsibility.” When the Keeper came into view he realized he now understood exactly why Jeffry had been so disgusted. Tehl spared him a glance as he passed. “You were right, old man.”
Tehl shot up the stairs, trying not to jostle the girl too much. He burst out of th
e dungeon, and in the morning light she looked even worse. She needed Jacob right now.
He ran.
Several servants jumped out of his way as he barreled toward the infirmary. It would be all over the palace that he was running through the castle with a naked woman in his arms but, at the moment, he didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to the healer in time.
She let out a wet cough and shivered in his arms as Tehl slammed into the infirmary, Sam and Gav right on his tail. Seeing their urgency, Jacob jumped to his feet, rushing to his side before he could blink. The Healer’s eyes widened. “What happened here?” Jacob asked clinically.
“Interrogation.”
Jacob’s face darkened. “Place her on this cot.” He motioned with his chin to the right. “Is this your hellcat?”
“Yes,” Sam answered, looking lost.
Tehl placed her with care on the cot while Gav cradled her head, and Sam pulled a sheet over her exposed legs. After placing a hand on her forehead, Jacob listened carefully to her breathing. “I will do all that I can but I am not sure if she will survive. The state of her lungs alone…” He shook his head. “I need to strip her and assess injuries. Get out.”
Tehl stared down at the shivering girl. She didn’t look anything like she had when he met her. She was so vulnerable. “If she recovers, I want her placed in one of the guest quarters.” He ignored the looks he received and focused on the Healer rushing around the rebel.
“I don’t think that is wise or particularly safe. She may be helpless now but she is still dangerous. You would put anyone who has to deal with her at risk.”
He knew the risks. “I’m aware of that, but I don’t care right now. It’s largely my fault she is dying, and I need to right this wrong. I’d prefer her warm and comfortable when she awakens. We will deal with the danger she poses if she survives.”
Sam pinched the bridge of his nose. “Well I guess we’ll need guards stationed at the infirmary. We don’t know what her reaction will be should she regain consciousness.” Sam grinned at Jacob, “We wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to the good Healer here.”