She had held her shattered heart together when Rivka chose Tristan, contained herself through leaving her post as queen’s guard, rallied the remaining embers of her strength when her queen went missing, and now she had been robbed of any way to save Sophiana, Evanar, or Andrew. How much more would she be expected to endure?
Evanar stepped forward and reached his hands through the bars of his cell, gripping Alex’s arms. “You’re our most trusted and steadfast warrior, Alexandria. You have dedicated your life,” he squeezed her arms tightly, “and your heart, to your Queen. Your loyalty is unquestioned.” His words reopened the wound in her chest, flaying her wide, but at the same time, they eased her uncertainty. She felt seen. He knew she would do anything for Rivka, now and always, regardless of what had happened between them.
“I don’t know what to do.” Her confession was a whisper.
“Listen to me, Alexandria. You must go back to where it all started.” He placed a hand over the center of Alex’s chest. “Where this pain was inflicted. You’ll find the answers you seek.”
His words confused her. “What do you mean?”
“Just go back to where it all began, where it all went wrong. You must start there and you must go alone.”
Alex threw up her hands in frustration. They didn’t have time for this. “I don’t know what you mean, Evanar.”
“There is no more time. It is not safe for you here. You must hurry, Alexandria. We will be fine. You will find her.” Desperation leaked into his voice on the last words. “Now go!”
Grasping his hands one more time, Alex nodded before turning to sprint towards Sophiana’s cell. Approaching, Alex could see Sophiana sitting on the makeshift bed. Even in such dire conditions, she radiated grace. It made Alex’s heart hurt to see her surrounded by such filth. Sophiana moved to stand before her, reaching out to take Alex’s hands through the bars.
“Alexandria! What are you doing here?” She asked, her tone hushed.
“I came to see you before I had to leave.” Alex stated, glancing back over her shoulder. “Are you ok? Is there anything I can get you?” Alex kept her voice low.
Sophiana gave her a weak smile before releasing her hands, silently taking a few steps back, and lifting her mattress. Those guards still loyal to Sophiana had given her extra blankets, a small canteen, jars of salves and healing tonics. These must have been smuggled in to them in between visits from Luther, Vivian and their brutes. A pang of appreciation went through Alex. She and Colin weren’t alone in this. Her instinct to change the guards had been correct. They had support; the worry and tension she had been holding eased a bit. She wasn’t abandoning them completely; they would survive this, and she would find Rivka and Ellis, bring them home, and see that Vivian paid.
“You have to leave. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she sent you away.” Sophiana stated, not even trying to hide her disgust.
Alex nodded. “I am being sent after the supply ship. I believe it may hold the answers to finding Rivka.”
Pain flitted in Sophiana’s eyes, her lips pulling into a thin line. “Then go. Do not waste another second here with me. Find my daughter. I have no doubt that you will bring her back home to us.”
“I will do everything to find her, my Queen.” Squeezing her hands, Alex stepped back. “Be strong. Do not let Vivian win.”
With that, Alex spun on her heel, heading back towards the stairwell leading out of the dungeons, bringing Andrew back into view. She hadn’t formulated a plan to get them out, but at least she was leaving knowing that there were others who were doing what could be done in her absence. Alex came to a stop in front of Andrew, his head hanging. He had to be in immense pain with the weight of his body pulling down on his shoulders, the cuffs cutting into his wrists.
“Andrew,” she whispered, “I need you to listenclosely, I don’t have much time. Sophiana showed me what the others are doing for you all. Please take what they offer. Don’t try to be a hero. I need you to become Sophiana’s guard once you are cleared and keep her safe.”
Lifting his head, Andrew’s eyes bore into hers as she rushed to get it all out.
“I am being sent after the supply ship. I’m going to find Rivka and Ellis. I will get the answers that we need and bring them home. Lieutenant Tait can be trusted and Colin has found others. Stay strong. Do not let them break you.”
Raising her water canteen to his lips, she helped him drink until he pulled back.
“I will,” he began in a raspy voice before a coughing fit racked his body, “I will do as you ask. Go bring our queen home.” His eyes burned with determination. “Thank you, Alex.”
Staring at him, she wanted to rip him down, to ease his pain. Overcome with despair, Alex turned to go, tipping her head to show him her respect. Andrew looked on, his eyes following her as she ascended the steps.
Reaching the upper landing, she rapped on the door three times, signaling to Marcus that she was done. The door swung open, its creaky hinges sounding like screams in the quiet of the dungeons.
Looking around to make sure they were still alone, Alex murmured, “Your loyalty hasn’t gone unnoticed. Find Captain McConnell; he shares your beliefs. You must be my eyes and ears while I am away, the last line of protection for our queen. I trust that you won’t disappoint me.”
Marcus snapped to attention, his hand touching his brow in salute. “Yes, Captain.”
Alex’s face softened. “Thank you, Lieutenant Tait. Your kindness to your queen and fellow guards show the depth ofyour honor.” Not waiting for a response, Alex strode away. She had to update Colin before packing. First light would come too soon.
Alex moved around her chambers like a ghost, folding clothes, wrapping supplies, and categorizing the things that needed to go with her on this trip. It had been a day. Alex’s emotions were scattered. Seeing the state that Andrew and Evanar were in, knowing that they would likely be tortured in her wake, was almost her undoing. The only solace was knowing that Marcus and Colin would do everything they could to help them.
Colin, while not always booksmart, was a sneaky bastard, and Alex couldn’t have been happier about it. He had snuck fungi powder into Luther’s coffee at breakfast, ensuring that he would be otherwise preoccupied with his ass in the privy, while she had snuck away to the dungeons to speak with Sophiana and Evanar. One couldn’t torture someone when they were stuck on the crapper.
Colin had had reservations about trusting Marcus but quickly realized he needed the help. As it turned out, there were several guards whose loyalty to their true queen had overridden their duties to their newly acquired sovereign. Rivka would be proud. Luther and Vivian were loathed, it seemed, by many. Their vileness leaked from them in waves, corrupting all those around them.
