“What?” My lungs clenched. “What do you mean?”
“He wasn’t caught using magic on our behalf, our members only risk using it when necessary.” He paused. “Kamden wasn’t doing work for the resistance when he was arrested.”
“What was he doing then?” I hadn’t thought of getting into the specifics of his arrest. It seemed pointless—knowing the details wouldn’t have changed the outcome.
“Growing peonies for a girl.” Jaspar picked at the fabric of the sofa. “He was in the right place, but it was the wrong time. Guards turned the corner and swooped in before he had the chance to fight. He’d already been taken to the prison by the time word spread. There was nothing I could do, not that I didn’t try.”
I couldn’t consider the possibility that I’d had it wrong all along. Re-living the last year and a half and trying to right my wrongs with apologies wouldn’t help with my current crisis. With an aching chest, my resolve deepened.
“I’ll pay for their help—fund the endeavors of the resistance.” My mind moved to the gems embedded in the cave and how Col said I could use them as I wished. Of course I wouldn’t take them for free; I’d fix every seep in the mountains and work every inch of land into a garden to make up for their value.
He took a moment to consider and stole a look out the window again before returning to me. “I’ll try to convince them as a matter of goodwill, but if that doesn’t work, what sort of financial backing can you even promise?” He shook his head. “Your father doesn’t have much.”
“Our home.” Nausea swept over me at the thought of giving away the house I’d spent much of my life in. “Not just that. I have access to a gem-filled mine.”
I told Jaspar about the mine and Col’s promise. Not only about the mine, but I explained that all of my family and friends could live in Kuroden as well. I even offered to take anyone who wanted to leave with me, including those in his group.
“Get them to help my father,” I urged. “Even if they won’t helpme, they’ll want to help him.”
His eyes flitted down to the couch and landed on his dagger. “Still going to use my dagger?”
“As if there’s any other way.” I smirked and dipped my chin.
“There’s a subset of the resistance within the castle—a chapter. It’s very secretive, more so than our neighborhood chapter. I don't even know all of its members, only know a few of them.” Jaspar lowered his voice. “Keep your eyes up for rubies. If they agree to help, they’ll display them.”
My mouth fell open. I’d assumed everyone within the castle walls had been loyal to the Suttons—until now.
“I’ll work on my people.” His hand gripped the back of his neck. “I’m sure you have reasons for what you did.”
“I—”
He continued, “Now isn’t the time. We owe Kam and I’ll make them listen. But ultimately, each member gets to choose if they want to take part in a mission. There will be some that refuse, but I’ll fight to get as many as possible.”
I stood and moved to the table of stacked books, selected a sheet of paper, and picked up the nearby pen. Carefully, I scribbled a note, folded it, and handed it to my friend. “Get it to Col, please.”
He placed the missive in his uniform shirt pocket.
“Roark,” I whispered as I read the aqua-colored thread woven into the shirt. “Is he ...?”
“You can’t ask questions, just look for the rubies. A hairpin, a necklace, the lapel of a shirt or the cuff on a sleeve.”
“How will I know what the plan is though?”
“You won’t. You’re going to have to trust those who choose to show up. I need to determine how many commit first before I can even form a plan.” Jaspar’s eyes went wide as the knob of my door jiggled, followed by loud banging. He rushed for thewindow, sliding the glass open fast, letting it bang when it landed. “The rubies,” he whispered, and he leapt out the window into the night air.
“Open this door!” Ryder’s voice boomed from behind the thick wood.
30
RYDER
Waiting outside Audryn’s locked room left me seething. I threw my boot at the door, forcing the lock to give way, and the wood to fling open. The curtains billowing from the breeze of open air sent me into a frenzy. She’d tried to distract me with affection, but I ignored her and went straight for the window to catch whoever was having a late-night rendezvous with my bride. All I found in the distance were the shadows of guards walking the perimeter path of the castle.
I’d spent only a matter of minutes questioning her before recognizing the conversation was futile. There was no way she’d tell me the truth, and with anger screaming through me, nothing could satisfy my suspicion. I would order every room in this castle and every inch of the grounds to be searched.
Captain Vexley responded to my side less than twenty minutes later and compiled teams to comb the area. He offered to brief me every hour, but I refused to sit by and wait for a report. If the person in Audryn’s room was found, I’d deal with them myself. There would be no trial or public execution. Iwould be in charge of their fate the moment my eyes landed on them.
By the time the sun crested over the horizon, we’d come up short, and there was nothing left to do but concede to the results. Either the person got away prior to Vexley’s arrival, or there was never anyone in her room to begin with. Regardless, I’d lost a night’s sleep before a crucial meeting.
