A cruel smile twists Henri’s lips.
“I think you understand,” he says as he removes hisfingers and rises onto his feet. “You need to heal before I can let you out again. Use this time to think about everything we have talked about.”
Lifting his fingers, he runs his thumb over the crimson blood there as if it was a fine jewel before walking to the door. “You put this on yourself, you know,” he says. “Stop pushing me away.”
Then, he leaves.
The moment the door clicks closed again, I stretch out my fingers and find the letter opener resting on top of my pillow behind my head. I grab it, my mind made. Forget waiting and planning. I’m not staying here a moment longer.
I wish I could bring Emma with me, but after what had just happened with Henri, I doubt she’d agree to come along with me now.
I, though, don’t have a choice.
I work with the blade, taking my time to cut away the rope. One by one, the ties give way and the pressure in my wrists ease. When the last strand breaks, I use the rest of my strength to pull my hands apart and sit up in bed.
Blood rushes to my head, making my vision blur and my temples throb. I take several deep breaths and wait for the dizziness to pass before shifting to the edge of the bed. Every movement has my muscles screaming in protest, but finally, I press my bare feet to the floor and stand.
Chapter 7
Avrum
“You should change into something more comfortable,” Lysander suggests as we continue down the hallway, passing the many bedroom doors. “You don’t want to practice in a tailored suit and polished shoes. Especially if you have never worked with a sword before.”
Trying to suppress my excitement, I nod.
Lysander makes sure to keep his voice no higher than a whisper. “I’m going to make up for some of the sleep that I’ve lost now, and we will meet back in the foyer at dawn.”
“Right,” I reply.
“In order to make this the least conspicuous as possible, I will show you the stances and some exercises and return to my duties, allowing you practice time on your own. I will come back and check on you, giving you more instruction throughout the day.”
We go up another set of stairs and turn down the easthallway, where more doors line the walls on either side. I rarely come down this way since my own bedroom lay in the main hall, along with Henri’s bedroom, and Haven’s as well. I have no reason to travel farther than that.
“Looks like sleep is going to come sparingly for the both of us,” I say.
“I have slept long enough in my lifetime.”
I don’t reply, not sure what he means by that. Lysander is known to be cryptic that way.
“It’s Avrum and the Frenchman!”
I wince, knowing instantly who the high-pitched voice belongs to before we even turn around. In the middle of the hallway, both Keagan and Cornelius stand, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.
Lysander tenses beside me, and my own anger prickles.
“What do you want, Keagan?” I ask.
“I’ve been looking for you, actually,” he replies, a smirk forming.
My annoyance builds by the second. “Me? Why me?”
“I have a bit of good news for you, boy,” he goes on, his tone mocking. “You have been lifted from your duties over that little tramp, Haven.”
My heart stops.
“That’s right. I will be looking after her from now on,” he says, with a very pleased look on his impish face. “You know, since you are going to be handling more important things being Henri’s second.”
The memory of Keagan and Cornelius tying Haven to Henri’s bed flashes before my eyes. How Keagan hadpressed his lips against her forehead… It made my stomach turn.
