He released a raspy laugh. One that rang of a deep sorrow. “Not only him. I reckon I’d also miss the pup, Specs, and even the rabbit. All of you are… you’ve become my…”
Family. He didn’t need to say the word for me to know the truth of it in his heart.
A flicker of light came from the stairwell at the end of the corridor.
“Shit,” Rowan hissed, holding me tighter. His body started to sink into the shadows before solidifying once again. “Come on, you damned magic.” He did it again before emitting a soft whine. “Please.”
That’s when I understood: he was trying to take me with him.
Higher-level shadow mages could teleport with several people, but Rowan hadn’t learned how yet. As he’d said, he’d taught himself everything. Skills he’d learned while living on the streets that had helped him survive.
The light of the torch flickered brighter, closer now.
“It’s okay,” I whispered. “I’m sure it’s just a guard doing rounds. Go check on our men and make sure Maddox hasn’t killed anyone yet.”
“I don’t want to leave you.” Rowan buried his fingers in my hair.
“You have to.” I hid my face against his neck, gathering my courage, before lifting my head. “Now, go before they see you.”
Right as the torch appeared at the bottom of the dark stairwell, Rowan kissed me softly on the lips and then vanished from my cell.
“Wake up,” a harsh voice barked, his steps heavy on the stone floor. Two other men trailed behind him. Guards by the look of it, though it was too dark to be sure. Reaching my cell, he kicked at the bars directly behind my back. “To your feet!”
The vibration of his kick rattled my bones. I jolted upward. “What’s going on?”
“No questions outta you,” he growled, bringing forth a set of keys. They jingled as he found the one he wanted. “Damned traitorous bastard.”
The insult hurt worse than the bone-rattling kick. “Traitor? I’d never—”
“Shut your trap, boy. Ya can’t fool me like you do the others. Every word you speak is a lie.”
The door flung open with a shrill creak.
I shuffled back a step, only for him to lunge forward and grab me by the arm, yanking me from the cell. Cold metal clamped around both my wrists. My pulse thrummed wild, sending my blood zipping through my veins. They led me toward the stairs, one in front and two behind me.
“Where are we going?” I asked, nerves spiking. This didn’t seem normal: removing a prisoner from his cell in the dead of night.
“You’ve been summoned to answer for your crimes.”
“My crimes? But it’s so late.” My voice rose in pitch. “Surely it can wait until morning. You know, when it’s nice and bright outside and after everyone’s gotten a good night of sleep. Maybe once they’ve had a cup or two of coffee first. That always puts me in a better mood.”
“Enough talking.” He tugged me forward by my cuffed wrists, nearly making me lose my footing. “Prince Cedric is waiting for you.”
***
“As you ordered, Your Highness.” The guard threw me down in front of the last person I wanted to see.
Prince Cedric turned from the window, goblet in hand, and raked a cold gaze over me. “Remove his cuffs.”
The guard obeyed and lowered his head, awaiting his next order.
“You’re dismissed.”
He bowed before joining the other two guards at the door and leaving the room.
On my knees, I rubbed at my sore wrists. Wearing the weighted shackles made my arms ache too, like I’d done an upper-body workout.
Beefcake Muffin.
