These men were loyal to Captain Carr. A man who had stolen her kingdom, threatened to rape and murder her, and had killed her parents. And now she had to convince them everything they’d just witnessed was the truth and that she was utterly without guile, a poor princess stolen by heathen princes.
The soldiers seemed uncertain what to do with her, suspicion still lingering in their eyes, so Bryn did all she could think to do: She fell at their feet, burying her face in her hands, and forced out tears.
“Thank the Saints, you found me! I’ve been living a nightmare. Is it over now? You’ll take me home, won’t you? Back to Castle Mir?”
Exchanging a wary look, the lead soldier—a sergeant by his emblem—turned away and muttered lowly with the others. Bryn heard one of them say, “I recognize her. With Mars gone, she’s theheirnow.”
Bryn added for emphasis, “Captain Carr will be so pleased you rescued me from that rogue who dared to call himself a prince! I’m sure you’ll be well rewarded for bringing me back home. I’ll be sure to tell the captain of your bravery.”
The sergeant’s demeanor shifted. He knelt on one knee, touching his forehead to the hilt of his sword. “Lady Bryn. Orshould I say, our future queen? I’m Sergeant Preston. It’s our honor to have rescued you and return you to your rightful home.”
He stood and extended his hand down to her. She let him pretend to be a hero when he was nothing of the sort. She letherselfpretend to be a helpless woman when she was anything but.
And as the soldiers led her to the safety of their rooms at the inn where they stayed, all she could think about was Valenden’s risk and, most of all, Rangar.
I’m coming, she whispered to the air, hoping the spirit of her words would reach him.I swear I will find a way to see you soon.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
RETURN TO CASTLE MIR . . . think like a queen . . . a map of hidden passages . . . her enemy's weakness
Castle Mir was a day’s ride from Ardmoor, and Bryn spent the entire time alone in a carriage the soldiers had commandeered for her, planning what she would do as soon as she saw the castle that until a few months ago, she’d called home.
Her stomach roiled the entire ride. She couldn’t keep down any of the pears or smoked fish the soldiers offered her. Thoughts ran through her mind on a repeating cycle, and she feared she would go mad until she forced herself to think like a queen.
First, I must ensure my own safety.
That meant continuing this dangerous charade of posing as Valenden’s captive. She had to be able to look Captain Carr in the eye and swear she would never have left the Mirien of her own accord. Her life depended on him believing her loyalty.
Second, I must locate Rangar.
She’d never had any reason to visit the Castle Mir dungeon, so she wasn’t certain how to get in. Castle Mir was far larger than Barendur Hold, with a network of subterranean passages that included not only the dungeon but extensive soldiers’ barracks, the kitchens and storerooms, laundry facilities, and a portion of the stables. She’d have to either find a map or quietly ask around for directions without raising suspicion, which would be a challenge. She had no idea how she’d arrange to secretly speak to Rangar.
Third, I must discover Carr’s weaknesses.
Once Valenden returned with reinforcements from the Baersladen, they would need to figure out exactly how to dethrone Captain Carr and instate Bryn as queen while convincing the common folk that she’d been on their side the entire time.
The weight of what rested ahead was daunting, but Bryn refused to let fear get the best of her. She’d learned how harsh life could be in the Baersladen and had long ago left behind self-pity. There were much larger concerns than her personal safety or happiness: a kingdom was at stake.
“My lady,” one of the soldiers called through the open carriage window, riding alongside her. “I thought you’d like to know we’re entering the gates of Mir Town. We’ll be at Castle Mir within the hour.”
She forced a grateful smile. “I shall ensure you’re rewarded well for safely delivering me home.”
She noted that there were only four soldiers now, which meant one had likely ridden ahead to inform Captain Carr of her impending arrival. Bryn chewed on her lip, wondering how the captain would take this news.
Would he be shrewd enough to see through her plan?
She continued to gaze out the window as they entered the urban area surrounding Castle Mir. The capital town of theMirien, known as Mir Town, was protected by two sets of walls. The outer wall had once been an important defense, but the town had grown so much that houses and shops and workhouses now congested both sides of the wall. Passing through the city gate was merely a formality. The inner gate, however, was far more important. It separated Mir Town from the walled castle grounds, which encompassed not only the castle and servants’ quarters, but most of Saint’s Forest.
Bryn watched anxiously as they rolled through the first gate of Mir Town. Was this really the same place she’d left behind? She saw everything with fresh eyes now.
When Bryn had been a girl, Nan had occasionally taken her into Mir Town on errands or to watch the street performers. Bryn had delighted in the bustle of the city, but now she saw it very differently. The common folk weren’t the happy peasants she’d been made to believe. There was nothing romantic about their poverty. They’d been exploited for decades by her parents, taxed out of a full larder, and what signs of happiness she did see didn’t have anything to do with the Lindane royal family’s leadership: it was quips among friends, shared pastries between street children. It was commoners helping one another because they’d been utterly failed by those who were supposed to care for them.
A shadow fell over the carriage as they reached the inner gate, where the posted soldiers flagged them to a stop. They stared intently at her while they exchanged words with her soldiers. She ducked back from the windows, breathing hard.
Saints, this is going to be hard.
