‘We all have a part to play, Princess. Everett might be my closest friend, but even he didn’t know that I was secretly in love with you all this time. Besides, there’s still a part of me waiting to see what you truly stand for, beyond what I’ve seen.’
‘And what do I stand for, princeling?’
‘If you look at history, those truly worth following—the noble and just—were the ones who wanted to change things for the better. You, like every other tyrant, want to keep things the same so that you can remain in control. Granted, not all change is good, as evidenced by my father, but at least he knows he’s the villain. You are a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be the saviour of your people, but you are just as evil. I suppose I’m just as bad, if not worse, if I’m still drawn to you.’
I guess he took the message to heart about nothing in the cell ever truly happening, but it hurt nonetheless. Before I could even reply, Everett returned with the old, tattered book I had seen in theOracle, reluctantly passing it to me. There was no time to review its contents now; instead, we needed to escape and regroup behind my walls.
‘Let’s go,’ I said, pushing past them through the cell door. Neither one of them followed; instead, Everett looked bewildered while Demir looked almost suspicious.
I was frustrated with their hesitance and how it was delaying my return home, to the place where I felt as close to safe as possible for someone like me.
I walked back into the cell and grabbed Demir’s hand, letting the bond speak for me. Instantly, I felt him relax in my grip, but there was one thought stuck in his mind.
Will Everett be safe with her?
‘I have no plans to kill Everett for the time being. For now, he’s not only interesting thanks to his new powers but also useful. But I vow to you both, if either one of you crosses me, I will slit your throats and douse myself in your blood.’ Rather than flinching at my threat, Demir’s amused thoughts travelled down the bond.
Yep, I still find that completely attractive. I’d like to see you try and kill your Zauvek, Princess,Demir mocked.
I released him immediately and made my way back to theentrance of the cell, not bothering to look back this time, and continued through the castle.
‘Where’s your king?’ I asked them.
Everett was the one to respond, ‘He’s not in the castle; don’t waste your time.’ There was no chance of getting the obsidian necklace.
‘He’s found a way into the Ancient Forest hasn’t he?’ I probed. Demir immediately snapped his gaze to meet mine. They knew more than they had let on.
We continued on to the opening I had first used to enter the castle grounds.
‘Get in.’ I nudged them. It was daylight and it wouldn’t be long until we were caught.
‘Ladies first.’ Demir smirked. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
‘I have one last thing to do. Now get in.’ Demir went to open his mouth and argue once more, but I kicked the back of his knee, pushing him into the hole of the trapdoor. I threw Everett in next without giving him much time to question what I had done. I locked the door from the outside and made my way back to the dungeons. I had something to settle, and I wasn’t in the mood for judgemental stares as I scratched this particular itch.
It didn’t take me long to find the guards who had touched me. I shifted into Everett’s form before walking into their little break room, where they smoked and drank the day away. Once I stepped in, I closed the door behind me until I shifted into my true form. By the time the smoke cleared, their sluggish minds were just beginning to register the presence of someone else in their company.
‘What are you doing here?’ the larger, more perverted guard asked, fumbling for the weapon he had left on a table that sat on the opposite side of the room.
‘I’m here to drag your degenerate souls to the spirit realm.’ I wanted to make them suffer, drag it out, but I didn’t have the time. Quickly and lithely, I pulled two small blades from my boot and flung them right into the eye of each man. As theystumbled back and fell to the floor, I pulled each one free and slammed them into their temples, stopping their screams which had no doubt alerted the other guards.
Turning to flee back to our escape route, I saw Demir standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the stone wall. As he took me in, blood dripping down my arms, I watched as he licked his lips and adjusted the now hard cock in his pants.
‘You’re a sick fuck,’ I said, rolling my eyes and walking passed him. His grin only widened.
When we re-entered through the trapdoor Everett wasted no time in complaining. ‘You can’t be serious?’ Everett almost groaned at the dark and dirty tunnel ahead.
‘Come on, E.’ Demir shouldered Everett before taking point and barrelling through the tunnel first. His misguided feelings were making him stupid, forgetting his training and trusting me far too much.
Without explanation, I turned and began walking home. It wasn’t long before Everett began grumbling again like a petulant child.
‘I’m hungry. How much longer?’ Everett asked.
‘Get used to it. It’s a full day’s trek through these dark tunnels with no provisions. Why don’t you just heal your hungry tummy, magic boy?’ I sneered.
‘You can’t be serious, Princess. We can’t do this walk with no food or water.’
‘I am quite serious, princeling. Sitting in a cell having your slop delivered to you on a silver tray has made you a tad bit lazy hasn’t it?’
