Eda’s breathing was shallow. Her eyes met Roul’s, filled with remorse. She was failing him. He would never fail her, but she was failing him now.
‘I will start us off,’ Roger said. ‘I already know you are not the prince’s cousin. I received confirmation from a close contact in Llanystumdwy early this morning.’ He looked between them. ‘I had no choice but to confine the prince to his quarters until I have a clear picture of what is going on here.’
‘Prince Becket had no idea we were coming,’ Roul said.
‘And yet he knowingly let an impostor into the castle.’ Roger pointed at Eda. ‘This is your last chance. Then I shall have no choice but to start removing fingers.’
The chains went taut as Roul pulled against them. Eda might not have been able to speak in that moment, but she could certainly fight. Her eyes met Roul’s. He must have known exactly what she was thinking, because he gave her the smallest nod.
That was the only communication she needed.
She kicked out, connecting with the guard’s knee. His grip slackened just enough for her to pull free. She ducked, snatching his dagger from its sheath and slashing the back of his leg before rolling out of reach. She knew just where to cut. The other guard drew his sword. She threw the knife at him, striking his shoulder. She managed to catch the sword as it fell from his hand. Spinning around, she pointed it at Lord Roger. He stared at the tip, which sat a few inches from his face. The injured guard came for her, but Roul swung his body and knocked him into the wall.
A few tense seconds passed.
‘You just made a big mistake,’ Roger said. ‘I will hang you both now.’
‘Don’t move from that spot,’ Eda said as she backed up to the wall. She released the chain that was holding Roul up, then looked around for the keys to the shackles.
‘Front pocket,’ Roul said, gesturing to the man with a knife protruding from his shoulder.
Eda went to him.
‘Do not let her touch those keys,’ Roger hissed.
But she was not playing anymore. She cut the man’s throat, then searched his pocket while he choked and writhed on the ground. The second her fingers closed around the keys, she threw them to Roul and returned to Lord Roger.
‘You will never make it out of the castle,’ he told her, growing more bitter with every passing second.
Eda heard the shackles hit the ground, and she could finally breathe again. ‘I’m going to need your tunic.’ She held out a hand.
With a shake of his head, Roger reached up and began unbuttoning the garment with sharp, angry movements. ‘You are making this so much worse for yourself.’
Eda handed the tunic to Roul. He slipped it on without bothering with the buttons. Then, bending, he picked up the shackles and secured them around Roger’s wrists. Eda ran to the wall and tugged on the chain until the lord’s arms were stretched above his head, then secured it.
Not taking any risks, Roul finished off the remaining guard and retrieved all the weapons in the cell. Then he went and stood before Roger. ‘I’m only letting you live because I don’t want a war.’ With that, he lifted the man’s shirt and stuffed it into his mouth before turning to Eda. ‘Time to go.’
Eda stared at the gagged lord. ‘For the record, I think Queen Isabella can do much,muchbetter.’ Then she followed Roul out of the cell.
Roul locked the door behind them, eyes meeting hers. ‘You’re really all right?’
‘You’re the one who’s bleeding.’ She hated seeing him in such a state.
He wiped at the blood on his face. ‘I’ve received worse head wounds while training. Don’t you worry about me.’ He distributed the weapons evenly between them. ‘I have a feeling Prince Becket is going to want to leave with us now.’
‘But how will we get to him?’
‘Using those sharp instincts of yours. You trained for this moment, remember?’ He searched her eyes. ‘Tell me you’re ready.’
Was she?
He stepped up and pressed a kiss to her forehead, whispering, ‘I’ll be by your side the whole time, soldier, just like we agreed.’
She nodded. ‘Then I’m ready.’
CHAPTER28
Their only option now was to escape, because no one was going to let them out after what they had done. Roul glanced sideways at Eda as they stepped out onto the open walkway. Her fingers were white around the hilt of her sword, and her eyes darted in all directions. She was ready to fight her way out, which was exactly what he needed from her.
