by Frost Kay
Sage sent up a quick prayer of thanks when they reached dry stairs. She flexed her toes with each step to alleviate the cramping from trying to keep her balance. The dark algae covering the walls ended at that point too. How odd. “Why does the algae stop here?”
“The tide comes in and fills the stairwell to this point.”
Her eyes widened in understanding. She had wondered why they left this passage unprotected, but it made sense. Even the best swimmer couldn’t hold his breath long enough to swim up all those stairs once this place flooded. The stairwell seemed to shrink around her, so she picked up her skirts and scampered after the king.
With each step, her breathing sawed in and out. After another couple of flights her legs quivered with each step, but still she pushed on. Finally, a wracking cough seized her, and she gasped for air.
Marq swung the lantern around. “Are you all right?”
She waved a hand at him and then placed both hands on her knees. “I will be okay,” she wheezed. “I need a little break. My legs feel like jelly.”
He frowned at her and pursed his lips. “We might have overdone it today. I know a shortcut we can use.”
He waited for Sage to catch her breath before starting back up the stairs like a mountain goat. Sage mumbled curses and continued, slogging after him. To her relief, they climbed only fifteen more stairs before he glided into a new tunnel.
Grit and dust stuck to the bottom of her feet as she followed. Beady eyes gleamed at her from the abandoned hallway. She sincerely hoped that whatever happened to live down here left her alone, specifically creatures of the eight-legged variety. She gave each web they passed a wide berth.
King Marq halted as the hallway came to a dead end. He probed the wall until she heard a faint click. Soft light filtered in when the king poked his head out the door, looking left and then right. He waved her forward and shut the door behind her. She memorized their hiding spot with a keen mind.
It was a perfect way to escape.
The king peeked around the corner and then flashed her a smile full of mischief. “It’s been years since I snuck around with a young lady. It’s clear, let’s make our escape.”
They casually wandered from their spot, each mirroring the other’s grin. They had only taken a couple steps when a doorway opened, and a sea of men spilled out, spotting them.
Twenty-Six
SAGE
Fear and anxiety overcame her as the group rushed over. A series of bowing and scraping vaguely registered, and she tried to take a step back from the king’s side. His hand slipped around hers and tightened. Her breathing turned ragged. So many men. She needed to get away. She wasn’t safe.
One by one, the pairs of eyes focused on her, making her skin prickle. Each look held its own special horror. She was surrounded. She needed to leave. Sage frantically searched for an escape route when her eyes caught a familiar gaze.
Gavriel.
She barely registered the spymaster standing beside him before focusing on Gav. If she could only get to Gav, she would be safe. She dropped her gaze to her hand in the king’s grasp. Her fingers were white. She couldn’t feel them. Her eyes dropped farther to her feet, and Sage grimaced at her dirty, bare feet next to the king’s hairy ones. What a sight she and the king must make. Both windswept, looking tumbled.
Tumbled.
Oh no.
She tried to slam the door closed on her nightmares but they fought back.
Bile crept up her throat at the memory of grabbing hands. Her vision swam, turning the floor to a puddle of colors. Giant, black blobs entered her line of sight. A large hand stretched toward her, palm up. A buzzing filled her ears, and black spots danced across her eyes.
“My lady, it is so nice to see you again.”
Gav. Thank the stars, it was Gav.
Sage blinked as he took her hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it before kissing her cheek. “Take a deep breath, Ruby. These men will not harm you. Sam and I will let nothing bad happen to you,” he whispered in her ear. “Breathe, you need to breathe.”
Sage’s breath rushed out of her at his softly spoken command. She didn’t even know she’d been holding her breath. Sage closed her eyes and tried to will the fear away. It didn’t abate completely, but with Gav at her side it was more manageable. She was not the victim. Sage lifted her head in increments until she met his unique eyes.
“You’re looking so well, my lady.” His gaze swept over her, missing nothing.
“Thank you, my lord. The healers took excellent care of me. The sea breeze and sun were exactly what I needed this afternoon.”
“Indeed.”
His penetrating look was uncomfortable. She shifted her eyes from his face to Sam’s grinning one.
Sam stepped forward and dipped into a courtly bow. “My lady, I praise the stars to be able to see you again so soon.”
Whispers erupted around them at his comment. Sam smiled down at her smugly. A glimmer of irritation worked through her. What was he talking about?
Sage pasted on a sweet smile. “If only I could say the same,” she mumbled so low that only Sam heard it. His lips twitched at her insult.
Insufferable man.
“The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness,” she simpered, sounding like an idiot.
It was as if a silent signal had been given. The surrounding men pushed forward to greet her, her anxiety ratcheting, but as Gav had promised, both Sam and Gav positioned themselves so that none of the men touched her.
“What the devil are you all doing standing in the doorway? Don’t you have things to do?” The irate voice carried over the melee.
The crown prince.
Sage cringed and huddled closer to Marq, a small whimper escaping her. A hand tightened on her own, making her realize she hadn’t released his hand. She drew strength from the king as the prince’s frustrated voice moved toward them.
He was the reason she was left in that cell. His men were the ones who had brutally attacked her. She suffered and had nightmares each night because of him. A spark of rage ignited inside her, burning her dread to ash. She would not cower. Sage dug deep from a place she didn’t know she still had. She straightened to her full height, a few inches over five feet, shored her nerves, and cleared all emotion from her face.
The spymaster’s watchful eyes intensified, cataloguing each of her movements. That man saw too much. She needed to keep an eye on him, but her thoughts ceased when the crown prince came into view, her breath stuttering as if she’d been kicked in the stomach.
His powerful figure cut a swath through the men. Wide shoulders and a powerful chest led down to sculpted waist and strong thighs.
Imposing. That was the word that came to mind when looking at him. He was taller and stronger than his father.
Sage’s eyes snapped back to his face. High cheekbones faded into a hint of dark stubble shading his chiseled jaw. Thick, wavy hair framed piercing eyes. Eyes that were locked on her.
Alluring.
There was something about his inky hair and midnight eyes that appealed to her, though she knew better than to trust that. Beneath that beauty held cruelty, and Sage would never forget that.
His face registered his shock before he schooled his features. He lengthened his stride, stopping mere paces away. Sage locked her shaking knees, attempting to hold onto the anger, which kept her fear at bay, and not scamper away.
“Your Majesty. It is good to see you.” He bowed to his father respectfully.
King Marq stepped closer to his eldest son and slapped him on the shoulder, dragging her with him.
“It is good to see you as well, my son. This young lady has been a source of much amusement of late. We had a stimulating afternoon. I haven’t truly enjoyed someone’s company in far too long.” Marq touched her hair, his fingers trailing over the silky strands until they brushed her shoulder.
Her eyes snapped to the king who smirked at his son. What was he doing? He had never touched her like tha
t. Stimulating company? Even to her, those words sounded suggestive. She scanned the group of men, gauging their reactions. Many knowing looks sent their way made her want to puke all over the floor.
Her gaze returned to the crown prince. Anger was plain on his face. Disgust. Sage returned his glare with one of complete indifference, but her mask was cracking. She needed to leave. Now.
The king turned to her like he had read her mind. She gave him a relieved smile when he kissed her hand prettily. He would take her back to the room unscathed.
“Thank you for the wonderful afternoon. I will see you soon, my darling.”
What?
Sage blinked and then stared at him in confusion. The king dropped her hand and thrust her into his eldest son’s arms. Her whole body froze as the crown prince reflexively caught her, his giant hands wrapping around her biceps. The hair rose on her arms when the prince’s thumbs swept across her exposed skin. When would this hell end?
“Please accompany her back to her chamber.”
She meant to plead with Marq, but the words stuck in her throat. Sage sent him a pleading look, which he returned with a bright smile before sauntering off with most of the men. He’d left her with the enemy. He’d betrayed her.
Why would he do that?
Fear, betrayal, and confusion tangled inside her. The large body in front of her shifted, causing her to jerk backward and snap out of her thoughts. Her eyes flicked to the man holding her hostage. A cry gurgled in her throat at the anger there.
He released her abruptly and held his elbow out to her stiffly. “If it pleases you, I will escort you back.”
Everything screamed at her to run. But to where? She had nowhere to go. Her emerald eyes darted around, taking in the few remaining men who were eyeing her with curiosity. A warm hand settled in the middle of her back.
“Accept his offer, Ruby. It’s for your safety.” Gav whispered.
Safety? Sage wanted to laugh. She would never be safe with him. She eyed the crown prince’s elbow like one would a snake. She didn’t want to touch any part of him, but logic filtered through. If she went quietly, maybe she could get away. If she insulted the crown prince in front of witnesses, there would no doubt be consequences.
Sage took one step and paused. Gavriel nudged her in encouragement. She gathered her courage and shuffled to the prince’s side. Her fingers rested lightly on his sleeve, his arm hard as ice. “I thank you, my lord.”
He drifted forward, Sam and Gav alongside them. Courtiers passed them, tittering and whispering into each other’s ears or behind fans. Sage ignored the stares that crawled across her skin. She was led through a twist of hallways and rooms, finally arriving at a grand staircase that split in two. Sage cringed inwardly at having to hike up another set of stairs.
She’d only wanted a walk.
“What was that?” the prince hissed.
“Nothing, sire.”
The prince set a grueling pace up the white and gold marble steps. After the first set, her legs trembled so badly that she wobbled and almost tumbled down the stairs. The crown prince cursed, slipping an arm around her back. She would have thrown it off if she could have stayed on her feet. Once again, he picked up his speed, dragging her up two more flights of steps. His grip tightened around her back so that his fingers were brushing against the swell of her right breast.
Her mind flashed back to unwanted caressing hands and cold eyes. She flung herself out of his arms when they hit the landing. Sage lurched to the side, swaying, before she caught her balance and stormed toward her door. She needed a bath. She could still feel his skin against hers.
A large hand slid around her wrist like a manacle. Without thought she lashed out at her attacker, punching. The crown prince caught her fist in his palm, snarling at her.
She tugged on her arms but he held on. “Let go of me!” Frantically, she pulled on both of her hands locked in his grip. He prowled toward her, making her scramble backward. A solid object pressed into her back. A wall. She was trapped.
Dark blue eyes glared into green ones. “What were you doing with my father?” he snarled.
“None of your business.”
The pace of her breathing escalated with his closeness. She had promised herself she would never let herself get in this position again, and yet here she was. She was better than this. Swiftly, she smashed her knee upward, and color drained from the prince’s face. Sage pivoted under his arm and swept her leg out, knocking him onto his back. She ripped the knife from her ankle and pounced on him. Sage straddled his chest, her knees pinning his arms, with her knife tip pricking his neck.
“Don’t you ever try that with me again! I don’t care if you’re the next king. If you touch me without my permission, I will kill you! Do you hear me?” she screamed. “I don’t care if I swing for this, but I never want to be forced to suffer your touch again! Do you understand me?” she growled, pressing her stolen blade harder into his neck.
“He can’t answer with your knife pressed against his neck.” Gav’s calm voice wrapped around her. “You need to step back, Ruby. I won’t let anything happen to you, but you need to let him go.”
Gav moved closer, but she never took her eyes off the crown prince. What was she doing? She wasn’t an assassin. His midnight eyes tracked the single tear that dripped down her face and plopped onto his cheek.
“No more,” she whispered brokenly. She was lifted off him and into Gavriel’s arms. Sage looked up, meeting her friend’s violet eyes. “Please take me to my room.”
Gavriel wrapped her up and led her to her suite. A scratchy voice made her falter.
“I promise.”
She looked over her shoulder with a single nod of acknowledgement. “Remember that you do.”
Sage wavered when both guards turned to her. She inspected both of them and arranged her face into a weak smile. She knew them. Sage ignored their pity-filled eyes and entered her suite, for once happy to be in her cage.
Mira stood up from her chair, dumping her book on the floor. “You have been gone for hours! Did you overdo it? Why are you wet and dirty? Never mind, I will draw a bath right now.”
Sage shrugged out of Gavriel’s arms and rushed into Mira’s. “Thank you for being a good friend,” she whispered into the healer’s neck.
Sage dropped her arms and moved to the balcony to watch as the last of the sun’s rays faded. Gav and Mira whispered to one another but her mind was a thousand miles away.
It was time.
Something had caught her attention when she arrived at the door: a guard was twisting his ring on his finger. It caught her attention because it was something she, too, did when deep in thought. The ring’s exquisite design intrigued her.
A dragon pierced by its own sword.
So similar to the family crest that you wouldn’t notice the detail, unless you peered at it closely. Her time in this prison was finished. The rebellion was here.
At last, she would escape.
Twenty-Seven
TEHL
Tehl glared at the ceiling. He was such an idiot. What was he thinking grabbing her like that? He hadn’t thought at all. Tehl blew out a breath as Sam leaned over him, his blond brows wiggling.
“The family jewels still attached brother? They’re kind of important, something about heirs…”
“Not sure Sam, bruised for sure though. Would you check on them for me?” he joked through his pain.
Sam’s faced soured. “I fear I must decline; I love you, but not that much.” His brother held a hand out. “I will, however, help you up. That much I can manage.”
Pulling onto his knees, nausea washed over him. Tehl hunched over and heaved. He had never been hit that hard between the legs before. Tehl swiped at the sweat on his forehead before holding his head in his hands.
Rapid footsteps stomped toward them—an angry staccato.
“What the bloody hell were you thinking?” his cousin exploded, shaking a fist at him.
Tehl pus
hed to his feet, bile burning his throat.
“It’s a good thing she kicked you as hard as she did or I would’ve had a go at you!” Gavriel’s eye narrowed on him. “You’re damn lucky.”
“She has impeccable aim, for sure,” Sam piped up, unhelpfully, from the wall.
“Shut your mouth, Sam.” Gavriel stabbed a finger Sam’s direction. “You’re just as guilty for not doing anything!”
“Well, I never!” Sam gasped.
Gav gave Sam a black look then turned his rage back on Tehl. “Did you, or did you not, both ask me to befriend the girl to gain her cooperation?”
“I did,” Tehl gritted out.
“With the stunt you pulled, I doubt she would give us a blanket even if we were freezing to death. I have been earning her trust bit by bit, but do you think she will listen to anything I say now?” Gav ran his hands through his hair then stabbed a finger at him. “Not only did you destroy any chance of her working with us, but you frightened her. Ruby has suffered here.” Gav’s eyes darted between them. “Hell, you both are aware of the nightmares she has every night. I try to calm her, and they’ve lessened in the last week, but I would bet my horse she has terrors again tonight. Think before you act.”
Remorse filled Tehl. He had avoided the rebel because of this very problem. He didn’t think when he was around her; everything became muddled. “I’m sorry, but imagine my surprise when I spotted her among my advisers in a wet nightdress. She held my father’s hand as though she did it every night. She looked tumbled, don’t deny it.” Anger licked at the remorse burning it away. “She should’ve been in her room.”
Gavriel’s lips thinned.
Sam sauntered over to them. “What I would like to know is how she’s acquainted with our father. Did you see how chummy he was with her? He was smiling at her like he used to before Mum died. How did they meet Gav?”