My breaths come too fast and I feel the warmth in my cheeks rise.
I whisper, “That is the time I feel at peace and alive. Free from the duties and constraints of the rebellion. So that iswhat I do.”
Speaking freely like this with a stranger isn’t something I’ve done since Hanin was stolen from this life. I haven’t dared to reveal these intimacies to anyone other than my inner circle, Leeson and Caym and sometimes even Merinda.
Thinking of them makes my heart slap in my chest as if a bird had flung its body into a glass pane. I quickly quench the rising emotion, drowning it in the deep trenches of my mind where I shove the discomfort and hurt.
“That’s unconventional,” the pause between the words has my gaze drifting up to meet his once again before he adds, “but I admire you for that.”
His lip is turned in a small sad smile, hopeless even.
I watch him for any glimpse of emotion that would betray his true reasons for speaking to me in the way he has, in a way that feels too intimate for the horrors and atrocities he’s committed.
“I should be retiring now, Alora.”
I hate the way my body leans towards him when he says my name. Especially now.
I offer a nod and turn away from him, focusing again on the little hole that seems oddly similar to the now chiseled crack in my own resolve.
The bastard.
Chapter 5
Alora
I’ve experienced pain before, the kind that makes your stomach churn and your muscles clench. Even experiencing the ache of loss and soul harrowing devastation doesn’t compare to what I’m experiencing in these chained confinements. My bodyhurts. It’s well past the point of soreness as I sit upon the cold stone floor. I’d sooner believe my bones were punching through my skin with how they’re rioting inside my limbs. Even worse, I can’t stop seeing Caym’s twisted expression when I close my eyes or hear his guttural cries.
The lantern in the corner flickers with a draft that seems to come in from nowhere. Perhaps it’s been enchanted as I knowthere isn’t a space to allow a breeze because I’ve scoured every square inch of the room that holds me prisoner. I’ve looked for any gap or crevice that could give me a chance to escape.
More probable is that exhaustion is confusing my thoughts. I’ve eaten bits of stale bread and scrapped mold off the questionable meat that had me heaving almost immediately after trying it. The little water I had left was quickly guzzled to rid me of that rotten taste.
All this searching has left me feeling hollow. The dawning realization that I very well might be screwed and end up at the fingertips of The Devourer gnaws at my conscience.
Cracking my neck in an attempt to shake off the hopelessness that looms in the air, I stand to shake out my growing nervousness. I flex my fingers and stretch my arms causing the blood to rush to those numb parts, and gods does it hurt. The hours have slipped away to days, or maybe it’s only been minutes since Lord Rion Velroy was last here, beforehecame in.
After both men left, I forced myself to remember as much as the council had learned about Astoria and the residents of the dreary town, including recounting the vile stories I’ve heard about Lord Velroy. King Euron had a proclivity to place dangerous men in positions of power, men that would mirror his own twistedness and spew his hateful rhetoric. It only makes sense that the figurehead of the village would come witness one of the rebels in shackles.
The lantern calls to me as I attempt to warm my fingertips. The biting cold isn’t something I’m used to. River’s End, my home, is far warmer than the part of the kingdom Astoria resides in. I thought I’d see the shimmering ponds of the cavern city at least one more time.
If I had anticipated this raid going badly, I would have made sure Oak, my white raven, would be taken care of. I’d left her cage open so she was free to roam while I was away as it wastoo much of a risk to bring her along with how recognizable her coloring is.
Perhaps Leeson would charm her into submission. I let out an audible chuckle at that thought. Oak was stubborn and more wild than other tamed ravens. It was pure luck that she bonded to me as I’d found her as a fledgling, alone and abandoned, much how I felt at the time, kindred souls.
Finding my thoughts wandering, I dig my nails into my palm, hard, in an effort to bring me back to reality and the present situation before me. I lower my gaze from the flame that dances in the dingy lantern glass and flex my fingers. Low throbbing builds in the ends of my fingertips as the pulse returns. I grasp the lantern by the handle and slowly walk to the large iron door.
Inspecting the door, I realize it’s the same iron that would null my magic as the culling bands do.Goddess help me.The silent plea barely forms before I hear shuffling outside the door.
Startled, I jump back, crashing onto my painfully sore tailbone.
“Burning hell.” My voice is scratchy and dry.
Before I can get out of the way, the door flings open, crushing me between the wall and heavy iron frame. A very angry looking Lord Velroy stalks into view and peers around the corner of the door.
“My Lord, you’re not to enter here. No one is to come in here in the chance she can fight and escape.” The guard’s red face and puffing breath leads me to believe that he did try and fight off the man that stands in front of me, sneering down at me crumpled behind the door.
“If you value your throat, then I suggest you leave us. I have something to discuss with this rebel whore.”
The guard’s eyes shift to me, uncertainty palpable. “My Lord… I …”
