“Very well.” Draven crossed his arms, reminding me of another stubborn man I knew. His head then snapped toward the staircase. “Not that it’s of any consequence. We have company.”
A heavy thud of boots clambered down the stone steps. Knights from the Royal Order then appeared. I counted six men, each of them armed with swords. One had a small battle axe strapped to his side.
Maddox and Callum stepped in front of my cell, blocking the door.
“Leave the dungeon at once,” the knight in front said in a tone that matched his cold expression. “The prisoner isn’t allowed to have visitors.”
“Prince Sawyer granted us permission to see him,” Maddox responded.
Sawyer. Did that mean he doubted the accusation against me? I hoped so. The thought of him or Kuya thinking me capable of such a wicked thing had struck deep.
“And now Prince Cedric has ordered you to leave.” The knight slapped a hand to his sword. “Step away from the prisoner or be charged with treason.”
“Treason?” Maddox spat at him, voice deeper than I’d ever heard it. “You must be out of your head. A head you only have because of me. Or have you forgotten how my knights and I came to your aid in the dark wood before you became a demon’s meal? While you were cowering behind a shrub, we drove the beasts back.”
The knight flinched. “I-I’ve not forgotten, Captain Maddox. It’s only… well, we have orders. So, I ask you to please obey. No one has to get hurt.”
Definitely not as cocky now, was he?
Callum rested a hand on his sword, causing the knights to recoil. They knew the shit they’d be in if he actually drew that sword.
“The only ones hurt would be you and your men.” Maddox tipped his chin up. “Of that, I assure you.”
“Hey, big guy.” I reached through the bars and gently tugged on his sleeve. “I know how strong and tough you are. You don’t have to prove it. Just do as they say, okay? I’ll be fine.”
When Maddox looked at me, his face crumpled before smoothing again. He stepped closer and cupped my cheek. “We’ll return at first light. Behave until then.”
“I always behave.” I nuzzled his hand, trying to ignore the burning in my throat. “Don’t worry about me.”
“An impossible request. I fear what those clumsy little legs of yours are capable of, even when confined to a locked cell.”
“Rude.”
He cracked a faint smile. “Take care of my heart. I’m leaving it with you.”
“And you take care of mine.” I touched his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my palm. “Each of you owns a piece.”
“I have the largest piece.”
“Still so selfish, Captain.” Briar sighed. My favorite pair of hazel eyes then focused on me. “Try to get some sleep tonight, love. As our captain said, we’ll return in the morning and get this mess sorted.”
My chest ached as I watched them leave. I knew none of us would be sleeping that night. They’d be racking their brains trying to come up with ideas to free me, stressing and making themselves sick.
Sighing, I pressed against the bars. I hated being a damsel. For once, I wanted to be the one who swept in and saved the day.
But I couldn’t even save myself.
Chapter Eleven
A Case of Scheming Scumbags
A small window above my cell let in a whisper of moonlight.
I hadn’t seen it earlier due to the lit sconces—all of which were long gone now. After the royal knights forced my men to leave, they dismissed Ban as well before sneering at me and taking the light with them. I didn’t mind the dark too much; it allowed me to see the moon. A sliver of it anyway.
Iron bars pressed to my back as I sat against them, refusing to go anywhere near the bedroll or the corner with the moving dirt. In the silence of my cell, faint scuttling noises reached my ears. A tiny squeak did too.
“Mice and scary bugs. Awesome.” I tipped my head up to the window. “Guess I’ll be staying awake with the moon tonight.”
