I keep looking around me, taking in every detail.
I can see.
A rat squeaks, and I see the creature scurry across the floor from one small hole to the next.
My mouth twitches.
“Is it true that the king is in that cell?” a male asks.
I lift my head toward the door.
“No,” a guard says. “Just because it looks like him doesn’t make it so.”
“Can I see for myself?”
There is a grunt of agreement, followed by a sigh.
A guard I haven’t seen before peers at me through the bars. His eyes narrow. “It looks like him,” he says as he walks a few steps down the hall and out of my line of vision.
Vision.
“You’re going to be in so much trouble if it is him.”
“It isn’t. It’s black magic.”
“You saw the marking,” another responds. “That’s the mark of the Shadowfae King. It’s an eclipse. And his eyes… Look at his eyes. It has to be him.”
“What of his eyes? It’s trickery, is what it is.” The first guard’s voice is harsh.
“But what if it’s real? What if he’s actually—?”
“Don’t be a fool,” the guard cuts him off. “There have been rumors of the Lost Kings returning, but I don’t believe a word. Where are they, then? Why haven’t we seen one? It’s nonsense. This is dark, terrible magic. He’s probably working with thatperformer. They’re both up to no good. You’ll see that I’m right. Just you wait.”
“I hope so, or you will be in big trouble. You might end up being the one who is locked up.”
“Let’s just say that he is our lost king. That the male inside that cell is Sebastian. Where has he been? Why did he leave us to her? I think it would be better if he were a sorcerer. Queen Snow will want him under lock and key. She’ll string him up, and I, for one, would cheer her on. Take up your position at the entrance with the others. The orders have come all the way from the top. I’m just following them, as you should too.”
“Yes, sir.” The guard who looked in on me walks away.
I close my eyes, leaning my head back against the stone. I sit like that for a while, trying to decide what to do next. I could use my magic to break free… And then what? This place is crawling with guards. I need to bide my time. I’ll find an opening. It would help if I had a friend in my corner. Only one person comes to mind.
“I need to speak with General Belen,” I call out. “Perhaps he is the Ruler General by now. Please bring Belen.”
I appointed the general, and we got along well. In many ways, he was like a father to me. He will know it’s me. More importantly, he will know that I would never abandon my people. That I would never willingly leave my post. All I need is a few moments alone with him.
The guard appears at the barred opening; his face is hard. “Keep your mouth shut, prisoner.”
“I need to—”
“Tell someone who cares.” His eyes are filled with contempt. “I can see right through you. It won’t be long before it’s proven. Now be silent, or you’ll regret it.”
I bite back the words on my tongue. The guard stares at me for a moment longer, then disappears from view.
I wait, my mind racing.
How did this happen?
How does a person forget their entire life? How does someone wake up one day with no memory of who they are?
