Page 64 of The Masked Princess

“Good. With any luck, you won’t be the only one.” Soren picked up his speed and did his best to ignore the sick feeling in his gut.

They reached the east tower and started climbing. After three floors, they entered a large open room, and Soren’s heart sped up at the sight of the contingent of Rhinnean guards outside the tower door.

“Who are you?” the lead guard asked, leveling a short spear at Soren.

Soren struggled not to roll his eyes. “Captain Kierson of Dovea. Queen Annalise is under my protection. Step aside so I may speak with her.”

At the use of her new title, several of the Rhinnean guards exchanged glances, but the one in front didn’t back down. “King Nelan has ordered her kept here with no visitors until after the wedding.”

“He can’t lock her away like that; she’s the former crown princess and now Queen of Dovea. Move aside on your own or I’ll make you,” Soren growled.

“Then you’ll have to make us, because I don’t take orders from you, Dovean dog.” The guard leveled his spear at Soren, and a faint scrape of metal was heard as several of the men behind him unsheathed swords from their scabbards.

“Captain Kierson, is that you?” Annalise called through the door.

“It is, Your Majesty. Give me just a few minutes to clear the room and we can talk,” Soren replied, his voice loud enough to be heard clearly through the thick wooden door.

“We’re all okay and unharmed. Don’t do anything rash.”

“They’re keeping you prisoner, and I will not stand for it! If it takes a fight to free you, then I’ll give them a fight they’ll never forget.” He glared at the guards across from him and put his hand on his sword.

“The two Dovean guards who went with me to see King Nelan have disappeared. It is only me, Priscilla, and Elsabeth in here. If you fight them, you do it alone. Stand down, Captain Kierson. That is an order!”

Emotions warred within Soren’s breast; every fiber in his being rebelled at the thought of not freeing her when he had the opportunity, but a direct order from the woman he loved was not so easily ignored, especially with the situation as dire as it was.

“If I may?” Matheus stepped up to Soren’s side and put a hand on his arm. “There’s no need for that yet. You, what’s your name?” The last question was directed at the lead guard.

“Lieutenant Vincert.”

“I see. I assume that you have locked and properly secured the door to the princess’s quarters?” Matheus paused for Lieutenant Vincert to answer, and when he received a nod, continued on. “In that case, step aside and let him speak to the princess.”

“We received these orders directly from King Nelan.”

“Yes, I am aware. You said that his orders were to let no one in or out of the princess’s quarters, correct?”

The lieutenant nodded again.

“You have nothing to worry about, then. I will assume all responsibility for the next ten minutes, and you may remain just on the other side of the stairway door so as not to technically abandon your post.”

“And who are you to order us around?”

Matheus drew himself up to his full height and towered over the other man. “Captain Risebach, of the second division. I suggest you listen to me or I will report your insubordination—that is, if Captain Keirson doesn’t make mincemeat of you here and now.”

“One man against six? Bad odds there, I’d say,” one guard toward the back of the group said.

“You’re right; bad odds for you. If you had any sense at all, you’d recognize that the man who defeated the son of Lord Grenlef so easily wouldn’t have much trouble against you lot, especially in such a narrow room.”

Lieutenant Vincert narrowed his eyes and glanced between Matheus and Soren, then shrugged and lowered his spear. “Fine, let any consequences be on your head, although I won’t move from this very spot until Captain Kierson surrenders his sword.”

Soren opened his mouth to protest, but thought better of it at the scowl on Matheus’s face. He sullenly unbuckled his belt and scabbard and handed them to Matheus, who gave them to the guard for safekeeping.

After the men exited the room, Matheus closed the door to the stairwell and leaned against the wall. “Go ahead and speak with her, Soren. I can’t give you any more than ten minutes, but at least this way you can say your goodbyes.”

Soren wasn’t sure if he should be grateful to Matheus for de-escalating the situation or angry that the man and a very solid wooden door stood between him and the woman he loved. His entire body roiled with his emotions, and he suddenly felt very, very tired.

He sank to his knees and placed his forehead against the wooden door.

CHAPTER 48