During such turbulent times,Bryn tried to keep in mind her kingdom’s wellbeing. She had married Trei to ensure a peaceful rule, and now that plan was dashed. She was back to being the crown heir of a kingdom currently usurped by Captain Carr, who would stop at nothing—murder, forced marriage, war—to stay in charge.
She spent long hours in the castle library going through the books that detailed succession rules among the Eyrie kingdoms, reading about old treaties until her eyes grew bleary. She hadn’t realized that she’d fallen asleep on one of the open books until Valenden shook her awake.
She awoke with a start, but Valenden clamped a hand over her mouth and whispered, “Shh. Pretend to still be asleep and don’t open your eyes until I say so.”
Questions filled her mind. Valenden was obviously up to one of his schemes, but he was one of the few people in the castle she trusted with her life, so she closed her eyes and laid her head back down.
Valenden pulled out her chair and gathered her in his arms, one hand under her knees and the other supporting her back. Her heart thundered.What in the Saints’ names is he doing?
He carried her to the door and said to the guards, “Lady Bryn fell asleep while reading. She’s exhausting herself by going through these old books. I’m going to carry her back to the mage chambers.”
“We have orders to stay with her.”
“By all means,” Valenden said indifferently.
As Valenden carried her upstairs, Bryn fought the urge to open her eyes and ask him what he thought he was doing. But she heard the guards' footsteps right behind them and did all she could do—pretend to remain asleep and wonder what the hell Valenden was up to this time.
Chapter
Fourteen
THE PRISONER . . . eyes closed, princess . . . a helpful spell . . . the secret door . . . stairs to the dark
As Valenden carried Bryn down the hallways with her eyes closed as she pretended to sleep, she tried to mentally map out where he was taking her. It wasn’t until she smelled the mixed scent of herbs that she realized they were headed toward the mage storerooms.
“Calista?” Valenden called. Bryn heard someone—presumably Calista—set down clinking glass bottles.
“What mischief are you up to now, Val?” Calista whispered.
“I’m ready for anyhelpyou can give us,” Valenden muttered.
Calista’s voice lowered knowingly. “Right.”
Bryn wanted more than anything to open her eyes and find out what was going on. To her surprise, she heard Calista murmur the words of a spell and, in the next moment, Valenden unceremoniously dropped her onto the bench.
Bryn’s eyes snapped open as she massaged her sore bottom. “Ow.”
“You can open your eyes,” he smirked.
“Yes, I figured.” After scowling at him, Bryn took in the room and jolted. The two soldiers who were supposed to be guarding her were now slumped against the wall, fast asleep. Sothathad been Calista’s spell.
“We must hurry,” Valenden said, nodding toward the soldiers. “Calista’s spell will only keep them asleep for about half an hour.” He turned to the apprentice. “You have the bags?”
Calista opened a cabinet and took out two canvas rucksacks, which she passed to Valenden. He nodded his gratitude and then took Bryn by the upper arm. “Come, we must not delay.”
“I don’t even know where we’re going!”
“That’s probably for the better,” he muttered.
Instead of heading down the main tower stairs, Valenden took Bryn down a narrow corridor that ended in the second-floor latrines. She held her breath against the smell. He went to the window and peered outside, then waved her over. “You first.”
“Excuse me?”
“This portion of the outer wall was constructed with handholds to serve as a makeshift ladder in case there was ever a fire and people needed an alternate way out of the Hold. The handholds lead down to the courtyard.” At her worried look, he added, “It’s perfectly safe. My brothers and I climbed down it a million times as children.”
Bryn rolled her eyes but hitched up her skirt and threw a leg out the window. Valenden held her steady as she moved her feet along the outer wall until she found the handholds that he’d spoken of. Carefully, she descended. The makeshift stone ladder must have been constructed centuries ago because the stone had been worn slick by rain and wind. She found herself nearly slipping a few times and catching herself at the last moment. Her heartbeat galloped, but she finally managed to make it to the ground.
Valenden dropped down into the courtyard rosebushes next to her, the two bags slung over his shoulder. “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
