That chain holding the captain back was starting to look a little less sturdy.
A thought for a different time, especially as Farrah weaved her fingers through Brela’s and squeezed. Even Elias inched closer, and as Brela focused on shoving her nervous thoughts into the overflowing fortress in her mind, she noticed the shift in terrain. How long had they been on roads and not open fields? Even the shackles that had once clamped over her wrists had stopped shaking so much against the back of the wagon.
“What do you need from us, Bre?” Elias asked, not bothering to whisper. Cason would have heard it anyway, even though he’d been stewing in his own thoughts across from them for the last hour. The captain’s brow raised as his blue eyes shifted toward Brela.
She kept his stare. “I need you get out of this alive, no matter what the king does to me.”
Farrah’s head snapped to her. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am,” Brela hissed, nodding toward Cason. “I’ve secured your protection, but it only works if you let me handle it and trust Cason to get you out. We barely survived one shit rescue, let’s not test our luck with the one thing that has finally gone our way.”
Farrah snarled at Cason but kept her mouth shut. Brela tried to offer him an apologetic wince but he just shook his head at her friend. “Boelyn will insist that you’re all chained when you meet the king, but the prince will oversee that you’re released once the meeting is over.”
Elias frowned at the captain. “And what willyoube doing?”
“Protecting Brela.” Both Elias and Farrah stiffened at how quickly he responded. “Just like I promised, no harm comes to her.”
Brela dipped her chin just enough for him to notice, though her friends still didn’t seem thrilled.
Farrah looked back, narrowed her eyes, and signed.You trust him?
As much as I can trust an enemy that knows my secrets,Brela signed back.
Elias grumbled and joined.Deal or not, one word from the king and he’ll betray you.
“Seriously?” Cason grumbled. “I’m sitting right here. If you three are planning something—“
They all cut him off with an obscene gesture.
Brela darted her head back and forth between her friends as she signed.I need to know what the king wants with me.Before Elias had the chance to grind his teeth, she continued.Cason recharged my cuffs with protective magic. Enough to get us all out if things go to shit.
Plan B.Farrah raised her eyebrow.
Brela shrugged.Plan C. If I don’t have to play that hand, I won’t. The king wants me, which means I have a small bit of control in this, so I need you both to play along without incriminating yourselves.
Elias’s tension finally released, a smirk growing.How are you playing it? Frostfury?
Too obvious. Sharpshadow.
Farrah nearly shivered in delight.Oh, that’s my favorite.
Brela wiggled her eyebrows at her after seeing Elias’s eyes light up with the same excitement.I know.
Cason shuddered as the wagon finally slowed to a stop. “Four hells, you three were flirting, weren’t you?”
“Feeling left out?” Farrah jeered.
Elias laughed. “He’s wondering if Brela’s signing is any indication that she’s good at—”
“Please don’t finish that sentence,” Valkip mumbled, rubbing his temples as he stood. The doors to the prison wagon opened, the fading purple and pink light of sunset spilling inside. He nodded to the man in front. “Captain Boelyn.”
“Captain Valkip,” the man replied, peering in the wagon. His dark features tightened as he glared at Brela, ignoring her friends completely, and took in her change of clothes and healed appearance. She wiggled her fingers and winked, much to his disgust. He turned back to Cason. “Is there a reason she’s not in chains?”
Serill stepped into the light, back straight. “I told you, Boelyn. They saved us from the Wraturo after our soldiers were incapacitated. They agreed to come peacefully.” He said the last words with a pointed glance, not at Brela, but at Farrah. Brela could feel her friend smirk without looking.
“I was with them the entire time,” Valkip added.
Boelyn’s gaze narrowed. “I’m not taking my chances.”
