The bloke calls out to her again and again. His voice breaks under the weight of his desperation, his remorse, as he begs us to talk to her. To apologize. To tell her that he tried his best. His voice claws at my heart. I turn and walk back to him, standing directly in front of his cell. Tears drench his face, joining in the cuts and bruises and the blood, but he quits his hollering and stands straighter.
“You must be Durvla’s friend,” I whisper.
He nods.
“What is your name?”
“Osheen Oakley.” His voice is rough, as though he hasn’t had anything to drink in ages.
“Osheen Oakley,” I repeat, committing the name to memory. “I cannot get you out of here right now, but I will find a way to break you out.”
He nods again, his eyes wide, but I’ve never seen a man so distraught. I have to find a way to get him out before he’s hanged. Somehow.
CHAPTER 40
Carys
Tiernan and Alysnavigate the tunnels beneath Paramount as though they’ve done so a hundred times before. It’s a long trek, and Tiernan ends up carrying a disoriented Durvla until, at last, we resurface and stride across the grounds to the stables. A chestnut horse and a shiny black steed await us, packs strapped across each of their backs. The scrawny, blond stableboy smiles and, when Tiernan dismisses him, walks away as though it’s just another casual day. A cool breeze billows around us, and heavy clouds illuminated by the waning gibbous moon race by.
Tiernan gently sets Durvla on her feet again. “Remember everything I taught you,” he tells her. “Alys will go with you.”
Durvla doesn’t respond, and Tiernan is still supporting her weight.
My chest aches. “This is ridiculous. She cannot ride a horse in this condition.”
Tiernan puts an arm awkwardly around Durvla as she leans into him, her stare vacant. Alys presses a hand to Durvla’s upper back with an intensity I’ve only seen on her face when she’s dealing with my mother. A moment later, her hand falls away from Durvla and her focus shifts back and forth between the packs on either horse.
Alys. My confidant, my second mother in a way. She has been a better advisor than Iywan could ever be.
Tiernan saved my life. He’s been a stickler for law and order… until now. He’s skilled in all sorts of weaponry, and he has the ruthlessness expected of a Royal Brigade soldier. Without him, I’m not sure whether Durvla and Alys will make it very far, even under the cover of night, and I’ll be damned if I help them run from the cauldron right into the fire.
My chest tightens and my eyes sting, but I inhale deeply and hold steadfast as best as I can. Swallowing around my narrowing throat, I fix my eyes on Tiernan. “Go with them,” I force myself to say before I change my mind. Before I lose the courage.
His brows draw together. “But Princess?—”
“That’s an order, Major Kilkenny.”
His lips curve into a half smile. “I think I’ve proven tonight that I don’t always follow orders.”
Something between a scoff and laugh escapes me, and tears well. “Don’t make this harder than it needs to be, Tiernan.”
“Carys, there’s more you need to know. Pertinent information that could?—”
I squeeze his shoulder, shutting him up. “Thank you for your years of service. Now, get them to safety.”
His lips part, then close again. “It’s been my honor, Princess.” He stares at me as if he has more to say, but in the end, he only says, “You’re going to make an incredible queen when the time comes.”
I choke back a sob and wave him away. “Hurry before someone comes.”
He nods and helps Durvla onto the horse. She’s so disoriented that I’m surprised she’s able to do much to help herself at all.
Alys tugs me into her arms before I can turn to her, hugging me so tightly that I can’t breathe until she lets go. “Dear one,” she says, brushing tears off my cheeks with her fingertips. She wraps her arms around me again, lighter this time, and whispers, “I’ve left a letter for you in the infirmary. There’s a vial labelled ‘Belladonna’ with one of theL’s capitalized. It’s subtle so you may have to look closely. Break the vial and you’ll find a message.”
I pull back, frowning as I try to dissect her words.
“Do not tell a soul. Read the note in your chamber and then burn it.”
My heart lurches, but I nod.
