Nightfall had come like a candle being snuffed out. It had been daylight and warm sun, then all at once, with one mighty breath from the sky above, it was night.
Young boys, pages of some kind, rushed in to fuel the fire and light lanterns all around the room. Unlike last night, we didn’t cower, huddling together against the elements. We were bathed in warmth. Rich with it.
Our clothes were clean. Our shoes were dry. Our fingers free from the dirt and grime of both the forest and the road. Our bellies full. And our minds spinning.
At least my mind spun.
If the rebels planned to keep us prisoner and eventually figured out my real identity, Elysia would be in grave danger. The entire realm would be in grave danger.
Under no circumstance could the Crown of Nine fall into rebel hands.
Because of the aforementioned grave danger.
Also, because anyone in possession of the Crown of Nine would have a claim to the throne. If the rebels were able to rally a few already unrestful kingdoms behind them, their claim could be made legitimate. They would only need a little charm and an army. A rebel army.
Arrick appeared in the doorway as if my mind had conjured him. He hesitated only a moment before strolling into the small hut held aloft in the cradle of this massive tree. His focus flicked around the room, taking in our comfortable prison in seconds.
“You have everything you need?” he asked with that gruff way of his.
I nodded. Oliver mumbled something that sounded positive.
“There are guards posted outside, should you attempt to leave.”
Everything inside me hardened at his words. I felt my skin go taut, my muscles turn to stone. My hand itched for my sword, but I’d been divested of that once inside the veil of fog.
“We’re prisoners? Truly?”
He turned to face me. I had begun to loathe that hood. I couldn’t see his eyes and that made him more sinister than he was. He was merely a man. A man I could fight. A man I could kill. Curiosity burned through me. Was he disfigured? Was he a wanted criminal?
“What else would you be?” His low chuckle chased me around the room. “My guests?”
“We have nothing of value. There is no reason to hold us.”
He didn’t seem at all bothered by my claims. He crossed his arms and assessed me from toes to forehead. “Ransom? Surely someone misses you. Misses you enough to pay at leastsomethingto see you returned. Unharmed if thatsomethingis worth our while.”
While I didn’t believe this man was as bad as his threats, I didn’t trust him either. Or at least that was what I told myself. Meanwhile some misguided instinct whispered that he wouldn’t hurt me.
Clearly, I had been locked up in the monastery for too long.
“You’ll get no ransom for us,” Oliver sighed. “There is neither anyone missing us nor are we worth anything of value.”
Arrick’s faceless visage held my gaze, “Surely that isn’t true.”
“Don’t feel sorry for me,” I challenged him. “Merely feel sorry that your treasury will see no boon from your immorality.”
“You think because I’ve stopped you from trespassing that I am the immoral one? You put a blade to my throat and threatened my manhood. I could learn a few things from your depravity.”
“You forced my hand when you stole my possessions.” I cringed as soon as the words left my mouth. I hadn’t meant to bring up the satchel again, hoping he and all his men would forget about it.
Of course, his attention instantly dropped to my pack, tucked behind my legs. “And what are those exactly? What made you risk your life so brazenly? Could that fulfill your ransom?”
“It’s all I have left in this world,” I told him truthfully. “You’d have to kill me before I would let it go.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yes.”
“So what brings you to Tenovia then? With a purse that you’re willing to die for?”
