He stared at me for a heartbeat, the muscle in his cheek ticking, then stepped forward until he was within arm’s reach. I shifted Scar Jaw enough to free one of my hands, keeping the knife at his throat with the other. “Put your other wrist in the loop. Then put your hands up,” I said.
Lilac Eyes did as I demanded, then lifted his bound wrists behind him.
I shot my free hand out, grabbed the scarf, and wrenched it tight around the second wrist he’d tied and looped both wrists together.
He sucked in a breath as the wool bit into his skin. I twisted the fabric, knotting it hard, then gave the scarf a sharp jerk to test it. He couldn’t pull free without dislocating something.
“Happy?” he ground out.
“Is anyone?” I flashed him a small smile. “But this is a good start.”
Scar Jaw tried to jerk away again, testing my grip now that my attention had shifted. I slammed my elbow into his ribs, and he bent over, wheezing.
“You mentioned punishment.” I raised my voice so it sounded carefree. “How creative are we talking here? Lava pit?Disembowelment? Do you have a brochure or reading material I can browse on my way out?”
“You’ll be lucky if it’s quick.” Scar Jaw stood upright, though he was still breathless. “No one escapes the king’s dungeon.”
I patted his arm. “Good thing I’m not planning to stick around long enough to find out.” Time for the finishing touches and getting the hell out of here. “Both of you, on your knees.”
They both glared.
“If you think I’m—” Scar Jaw started.
The knife kissed his skin again, a fresh bead of blood sliding down its edge.
“I don’t recommend you finish that thought, because I’m running out of patience,” I snapped. “On your knees. Both of you. Down on the ground, sides against the bench, each of you facing a wall, backs to each other.”
Lilac Eyes exhaled through his nose, then knelt. Scar Jaw’s shoulders heaved as he followed, grumbling.
They were pressed against the far stone wall next to the stone bench with their feet in the straw. Keeping the knife in place, I shifted behind Scar Jaw, using my shoulder to pin him while I reached for his scarf binding with my free hand.
I yanked hard, and it held. Excellent.
“Last step.” I edged closer to them so I could see both their faces. “Open your mouths.”
Lilac Eyes narrowed his gaze. “Well, if you?—”
“Do it or else.” I gave him a sweet smile, though I was quite certain it didn’t reach my eyes. “I don’t need either of you screaming for your murder king.”
“Someone will hear you escaping.” Lilac Eyes’ voice was low and vicious. “Even if you gag us, there are patrols throughout the main levels and around the walls. You won’t even make it to the stairs. And when you’re dragged back here by your hair, you’llrealize how hospitable everyone was before you spat in our faces. You’ll wish you’d been left to freeze.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, though his words definitely did leave a mark. I had no idea of the layout or even where I was. “Maybe not. But I’m not staying in this cell, waiting to freeze or be ‘resolved.’ All I want is to get home. Mouth open, please.”
His nostrils flared, and he slowly opened his mouth. I shoved one glove in, then used the softer cotton scarf to tie it around his mouth in a gag. He made a muffled, furious sound as I pulled the fabric tight and knotted it at the back of his neck.
“Good job.” I patted the top of his head like a dog. “Very cooperative.”
Scar Jaw clenched his teeth when I turned to him.
“Look.” I mashed my lips together and leaned in. “I don’twantto kill you. I really do just want to go home. Don’t give me a reason to change my mind and get violent. You both can see I don’t belong here.”
His eyes searched mine for a second, maybe weighing whether this was worth it. I wasn’t sure, but with a guttural grunt, he opened his mouth.
I stuffed the glove in, bound and gagged him the same way, then stepped back.
Both men glared up at me, breathing hard through their noses, hands bound, mouths gagged, backs to the wall.
Guilt pricked at me, but I shoved it down. No time. No room.
