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Because my husband wouldn’t lie and swear an oath.

Nor would he tell the king what had happened in the battle.

My husband wouldn’t lie.

Apparently oaths were very important to Torin, I mean, I knew that, but still.

We had time traveled here with an army of future soldiers and drones playing rock music and got left behind and were dealing with the consequences, this was something to understand. Time travel was useful until you were sitting in a dungeon trying to explain flying drones to a medieval king.

Speaking of flying drones, where were our bags?

I sighed.

My kingdom for a glass of water .

I had been in the chamber for an hour or so when there was a short loud rap at the door. I said, “Yes?” and a key was working in a lock.

I hadn’t realized but for all this time I had been locked in.

20

ALEXANDRIA

1308 - I MEET WITH THE KING

The door opened and Niall stood there, taking in the room and me, crumpled in the middle of the floor, exactly where I had been left. I probably looked crazy. I tried to stand but stepped on the hem of my fancy, but quite filthy, olive-green dress and almost fell over. I smoothed back my hair. “You locked the door? I’m a prisoner?”

“Tis as much for yer protection as tae keep ye captive. We hae been concerned elsewhere.”

I opened and closed my mouth, totally outraged, completely overwhelmed.

“Lady Alexandria, the king invites ye tae accompany him tae the meal.”

I didn’t mean to but I pouted. “I want to see Torin.”

“Ye canna. Not until ye speak tae the king.”

I glared. “I think I might be one of very few women in this whole castle and you’ve got my husband in the dungeon — who is protecting me?”

“I am, the king is.” He repeated, “He wants tae speak tae ye.”

“Well, I don’t want to.”

He raised his brow. “The king’s request is more of a command.”

“I am very very hungry and even more thirsty.”

“Ye will hae food, but ye must come.”

“Fine, take me.”

He led the way out of the room. As we walked down the dim stonewalled corridor I thought, How many movies have I seen with this kind of scene: a female prisoner led along the hallways of the ancient castle?

I did not like it one bit.

I was a damsel in distress. How would a damsel get out of this situation?

Fight.