Shame.
However, Carrick is yelling and he doesnotlook pleased.
Which pleases me.
“You’re telling me that one single Orean managed to wipe out every one of our soldiers at the bridge?” he shouts, rounding on the twins who are following behind him like chicks to a mother hen.
One of the twins replies, but it’s much quieter. He looks like he’s trying desperately to placate the furious king, though he really seems to be doing a terrible job at it.
“What do you mean there’s now a barrier? What kind of barrier?”
I’m not certain, but I think the twins say something about ice.
“Orea is pathetic. We should have crushed them all by now! And you should have been checking in on the bridge!”
This time, I hear the reply. “Sire, we have made great strides.”
“And yet, you two have also just informed me that you have not received word from our soldiers at the gilded castle nor an update on the next frozen kingdom,” the king seethes. “Yourstridesare failing, and that is unacceptable!”
A soldier steps forward, one of the higher ranking Badges. “Our contingent to Lydia is on the move,” he informs the king. “But I can immediately gather another battalion and go to the bridge. I can get you a full report—”
Carrick interrupts him with a furious look. “No. It is obvious that the incompetence in Orea needs to be remedied. I will go to the bridge and handle it myself since everyone else seems to be inept.” Carrick glares at him before moving to the twins, his face hardened and terrifying. “You two will bring me back at once. I’ll take care of thisbarrier.” Then his head snaps to the army camp. “I want every other soldier not leaving for Lydia readied immediately. We leave for Oreanow. The full second wave!”
He turns and strides away, while the rest of them exchange looks and start to scramble. The camp was busy before, but now it becomes downright hectic.
Everyone hurries around, readying to leave. The Badges shout orders left and right to the Stone Swords, every single soldier armoring up and getting outfitted with their weapons.
Longingly, I watch some of them gnaw on food and chug down water. My mouth aches with thirst and my stomach growls. I blame both the Stone Swords for not giving me any provisions and this cursed deadlands. It feels like it’s sucking me dry.
Oh well. I’ll have to do this without sustenance too. I can handle this. I’m a Vulmi, for goddesses’ sake.
A couple minutes pass and then I see my jailer come hurrying over. I perk up, a plan forming in my mind.
I scoot forward, knees tucked beneath me, and I sit up straight. Shove my breasts up a bit. “Oh, thank goodness,” I exclaim, breathing out a sigh of relief. I start hiking the gold dress up my thighs too, and his eyes widen when I go higherand higher… “I really need your help,” I tell him in my sultriest voice—and I’m quite good at the sultry voice. Years of practice.
When he’s just a step away, I let my magic pour over me. Bones shift, cheeks spread, lips thin out, scalp tingles, and my eyes water. Within a blink, my glamour magic has changed me into him.
He really should’ve been careful when shoving me into this cart.
I clear my throat just as he stops in front of the door, and he glances up from my exposed legs to my face—well,hisface.
His eyes go wide. “What—”
I strike before he can finish his sentence.
My hands lash out and I grab him by his neck and yank him forward, smashing his skull into the bars as hard as I can.He makes a noise like a carpet being rolled up, a stuffed breath escaping his tight throat. Then the jailer crumples, but I shove my hands beneath his arms to keep him up.
“Goddess, you’re a heavy asshole,” I say between my teeth as I shift him so I can hold him up with one arm. With my other hand, I fish at his buckle where the keyring is.
My fingers bungle around for a moment, my back and arm straining to keep him up. I give a quick look around, but the camp is so hectic with everyone rushing around that no one is noticing what’s happening.
As soon as I have hold of the keyring, the jailer nearly slips out of my hold. I manage to catch him, while struggling to curl my hand back toward the lock. Since I’m doing it one-handed, I fumble several times. Sweat gathers at my neck, my whole body going hot with nerves.
“Come on…” I curse the lock and my blundering fingers, casting another nervous glance around. I’ve gotten lucky so far, but none of it matters if I don’t get this damn key—
In.
I turn the key, making the bolt jump open and fall to the ground. As soon as it does, I let the jailer’s body drop too. I shove open the door and leap to the ground a second later. My heart pounds in my chest, adrenaline rushing over me like a downpour.
