‘Vyer,’ called Mr Lackly. ‘Amber side, now.’
Bear walked away, pleased to see someone bleeding.
Raven approached with a grin. ‘A few more like that, then we can go.’ And as he finished his sentence, Temple herded another three bloodied people to the door.
Lackly grimaced at the dripping blood and torn top of the first lad to pass him by at the door. ‘Anything broken, go straight to the healer, else go wash up.’ He pointed at another lad and ordered him to clean the floor.
Bear and Raven took the opportunity to slip outside while there was a small group in the doorway.
With no guards outside, they made it to Bear’s cell without interruption, and Bear was quick to slip into his escape hole while Raven kept watch.
It was the quickest Bear had travelled through the route, but time wasn’t on his side, and he needed to see what was outside the cove.
Moving the top boulder from the pile to peer out the small hole, relief flooded him as he spotted land he knew was facing the side of the island. Now all he had to do was flash the magickal mirror he had purchased from Temple in that direction using the moonlight come nightfall and hope Elbarwas somewhere her magick would see the glint. A roll of water splashed his face as he was about to put the rock back in place, causing him to stumble.
The tumble to the bottom had scraped his arm, and now his hair and top were wet, but at least he was in one piece.
‘What are you doing in there?’ a guard asked Raven as he entered the cell block.
‘Had to change, sir,’ came Raven’s rehearsed reply. ‘Lot of lads got blood everywhere.’
The guard wrinkled his nose as he stepped closer. ‘Yeah, I saw that. Doesn’t explain why you’re in Vyer’s cell.’
‘Oh, he had to change as well. We’ll be right out.’
‘You can get out now.’ The guard marched to the cell, pushing Raven out the way.
‘Problem, sir?’ asked Bear, wiping a hand towel over his hair.
The guard scanned the small area. ‘Get back to the gymnasium.’
‘Yes, sir.’ And with that, Bear motioned for Raven to follow.
‘Wait a minute,’ said the guard, still at Bear’s cell.
Turning with his heart in his throat, Bear widened his eyes in question.
‘You two can take some more towels down to the shower chambers. Come with me.’
Bear and Raven shared a relieved look as they calmly left the cell block.
Raven rubbed his chest as they followed the guard, a smile sneaking onto his face as he silently chuckled.
Bear felt the need to hold his own heart as well but walked with his arms to his sides as his sporadic beats fell back into rhythm. His thoughts quickly turned to Scarlen once more as he passed the gymnasium, and he decided he would speak to her tomorrow at family time, certain he could trust her with his plan.
22
Scarlen found herself in the family room first for once, and she started pacing. It was so surreal, her enemy being the one she wanted day and night. Maybe now they were close, she could tell him her truth, make some sort of peace together. Would he still gaze into her eyes the same way ever again if he knew she was the princess?
Pacing, pacing, she had to stop. The anticipation of being so close to him was tensing her muscles, so she slumped to the bed, stroking a hand over the cold sheet, not seeing its purpose, so thin, so worn.
The memory of Bear holding her in the infirmary was fresh and almost tormenting. Why must she feel so deeply about him? How had he reached into her soul and remained?
There had been many moments in her life where she felt the need for an explanation, mostly due to her father messing with her mind, but with Bear it was different. He messed with other parts of her. Parts that had previously slept.
A few minutes had passed, and she was starting to wonder if he was coming or wasn’t allowed. It wouldn’t surprise her, as some of the guards liked to see the inmates hurting. It seemedto entertain them, and if Binnow was back, she would take great pleasure in confining Bear.
Just as she pondered over going outside, the door opened, and in he strolled, and she jumped to her feet, her heart pounding in her ears as heat hit his silver eyes.
