‘We will get you out of here,’ I whispered in the queen’s ear.I don’t know why I did it, but I kissed her gently on the cheek.
We left the dazed guard and rushed past the lady in white who had risen from her chair at the commotion.My heart broke as Queen Yaris’s garbled cries followed us down the corridor.
The door leading back to where the soldiers were sitting and playing games was open, and I could see men in black robes waiting to enter.
Two robed men of the Order were holding a woman between them.There was a sack over her head, and iron shackles enclosedher hands and ankles.As we exited, they hauled the woman past us, chains scraping along the flagstones, her feet dragging limply behind her.
How many women were we leaving behind?We would free the queen, but what of the other innocent women caught up in this madness?
My steps faltered when I saw Bethel waiting for us uneasily next to Merrick.Merrick’s pale blue eyes narrowed at us, but he said nothing as Torgrin ordered a soldier to open the double iron doors.We needed to leave before Merrick asked questions – I was painfully aware of the semi-conscious king’s guard we had left behind us.
Once through the door, I looked back to see Merrick entering the cell they had taken the woman in chains into.My fingers itched as I imagined my Darkness rising and shadows wrapping around his neck.The door closed, leaving me to wonder what he would do to her.Was he the one who took the queen’s eyes?I couldn’t wait to make him pay for every vile thing he had ever done.
†
I didn’t get to speak to Torgrin about what had happened in the dungeon, as I had to rush to prepare for dinner with the king.
King Hared insisted I sit at the main table next to Bethel.Thankfully, no-one tried to engage me in conversation, and once the servants cleared the table, I walked with Bethel and Goodwin to the ballroom, where a handsome courtier immediately asked Bethel to dance.
‘Are you going to let her parade around the room with another man, Goodwin?’came an icy voice behind me.
My spine stiffened when Merrick came to stand with us.He hadn’t been at the table tonight.Probably too busy in the dungeon, maiming and torturing women.
‘It’s just a dance,’ said Bethel.
‘Then you arejusta whore.’Merrick’s lip curled.
‘Come here,’ Goodwin commanded Bethel as the frightened courtier scurried away.
‘No!’Bethel stomped her foot.
Goodwin’s hand came out to strike his future wife.
I seized his wrist mid-swing, stopping him before his blow landed on Bethel’s outraged face.My strong fingers wrapped around Goodwin’s arm easily.I glared at the king’s son in warning before throwing his hand back towards him.
A biting hand grabbed my upper arm and yanked me hard.‘How dare you stop a man from disciplining his wife?’Merrick bellowed in my face.
‘She’s not his wife yet,’ I said, with a calmness I did not feel.My jaw clenched so hard my molars ached.
Hundreds of eyes were on me while I tried to tug my arm free from his cruel grip.Bile burned the back of my throat at his touch.
‘Get your fucking hands off her,’ came Torgrin’s deadly voice.He had his sword drawn and pointed at Merrick’s protruding gut.
Was he insane?Torgrin had asked me not to risk taking Merrick’s life, and yet here he was, sword drawn in the king’s ballroom.
Merrick squeezed my arm painfully once more before letting me go.Torgrin stepped before me, creating a barrier with his body.His sword remained pointed at his old captain.
‘Itisyou, Torgrin,’ Merrick said, ignoring the sword.‘That unique scar of yours is hard to hide,’ Merrick purred.
I shivered with disgust and moved closer to Torgrin’s back.I wanted him to know I was ready for whatever was about to happen.
‘Where’s your pretty friend?The strong one?You tried to keep him from me too.’Merrick stepped into the sword, causing it totouch low on his belly.‘This girl dared to put her hand on the future king.It is my duty to take her to the dungeon and teach her some manners.Of course, you could offer me something more pleasurable.Just like the good old days,’ he whispered suggestively to Torgrin, knowing only we could hear him.
I saw Torgrin’s back stiffen at Merrick’s words.This depraved man had to die for what he did to my mother and for what he did to Torgrin and Atlas when they were only boys.
A commotion at the door to the ballroom caught the corner of my eye.
‘Put your sword down,’ I pleaded quietly behind Torgrin as the king and his guards moved across the room towards us.I heard Merrick grunt as Torgrin pressed his sword into him in warning before withdrawing it from his belly.
