I give him a huge grin. At least someone around here has some common sense.
“Put her in the dungeon as planned. We will let Eron deal with her once he’s awakened,” Erik snaps. Why doesn’t he like me? We met for the first time less than a turn ago.
We climb to the top of the hill before descending through the crowds. A few gasp as they take in their unconscious king before glaring at me with hostility. Wow, they are a judgmental bunch. Then again, what did I expect from a community whose only job is to judge a woman on the basis of her looks?
Erik casts one last glance at me before our group separates in the courtyard. My two guards go left and usher me down some winding steps. I shiver as the cool air kisses my exposed skin. A sleepy guard leans against the barred door but jolts upright and comes to attention at our approach. That’s more like it. I am, after all, the queen of the ocean, Lady of the Lake, and a bunch of other titles I can’t remember.
His curly long beard matches his unruly hair and bushy eyebrows, and he gives me a salute. That’s an interesting greeting for a dungeon-bound female, but perhaps they treat their prisoners better than The Hallows, who are fond of chopping off limbs for punishment.
“Commander Edward, my apologies. I wasn’t aware you were visiting the prisoners this turn.”
Oh, it’s not me they are saluting. I glance at the big burly guard next to me and raise a brow. He smirks at my surprise.
“Open the gate,” the commander demands.
“I thought Erik was your leader?” I grumble as I’m nudged forward past the guard and through the open door.
“He is,” the commander confirms. “Erik is our general. The only person above him is Eron. So in the king’s absence, running the kingdom falls to him. Right now, you are at his mercy.”
As we creep deeper into the heart of the castle’s underbelly, an oppressive, gloomy shroud envelops us. The air is heavy with the scent of damp earth and something more sinister—perhaps the lingering essence of despair. We stride past yawning caverns, their entrances barred by rusted metal lattices, casting ominous shadows that dance and flicker like restless spirits. They watch me pass, lurking beyond the veil of darkness. Edward halts abruptly, ushering me toward the first open chamber.
“In you go,” he says.
A chill washes over me as he gestures into the abyss of this cold, dark room. The air crackles with a silence so profound that even the faintest whisper of our breath stands no chance against it. It is a place where forgotten nightmares come to life.
I glance around, calculating. I have more chance of becoming a fairy-tale princess who wanders a castle with grace than escaping from here. With a huff, I step into the room and double-check I am alone.
Warm hands grip my wrists, and the manacles release. I spin to face Edward. “You do realize I am innocent?”
“I suspect that to be the case, yes. But until Eron wakes, this is the best place for you. If folks suspect you have harmed our beloved king, then they will be out for your blood. Being imprisoned here is as much for your protection as it is ours.”
Sadly, that makes sense on so many levels. If I were let loose in this realm, I’d likely cause some kind of disaster.
“I’ll have some food sent, as well as a medical kit. Put the ointment on your wound and cover it with the bandages,” Edward instructs.
I glance at my shoulder, checking the laceration. Blood continues to seep from it, but the flow has slowed. Edward steps outside, and the barred door clangs shut, caging me inside a room so small, you’d struggle to swing a capon in it. At least I’ll be getting a meal.
As Edward and the two guards leave, a surge of panic courses through me. I want to scream that I’m wasting time locked up here while Malice is busy living my best life, kissing my knights and sharing their sausage. It won’t help my case though, so I back away from the bars and swallow down the dismay. Gwyneth and my knights need me to be strong, not acting like a damsel.
The main door to the dungeon closes, swinging shut with a finality that makes my teeth grind together. I press myself against the wall, letting out a ragged breath. The sound of nails scraping against the stone floor sends my heart fluttering. I can sense creatures waiting with bated breath to see what new blood has graced them. I straighten my shoulders, deciding to break the ice now, not wanting to wait for creepy introductions or veiled threats.
I take a step toward the bars, my gaze sweeping down the opposite wall of the cells. “Hello? I’m Daphne, a maiden from Strongfair.”
Someone makes a choking noise before clearing their throat. “Daphne?” a whiny male voice calls out.
My brows kiss my hairline.No way. “Charming?”
Chapter
Two
What is Prince Poopfloof doing here?
“Thank the Idols you are here,” he says. “These people are ridiculous, imprisoning a king.”
“Prince,” I remind him. “You aren’t a sure thing for taking over your kingdom.”
He huffs. “That’s what they said. Then they had the audacity to tell me I was lying, and lying here is apparently a crime.”
