He continued quickly. “I know I should not have thrown the bread back, and that I angered him, but—”
I held up my hand, fury rising to the surface. “Do not apologize for that. It is I who should apologize for their behavior. They were given strict instructions to provide your meals on schedule in my absence, and they’ve disobeyed. But more than that, it was a despicable way for them to act.”
“Haven’t you heard?” he asked, spreading his arms wide. “You’re fraternizing with the most hated man in Helia.” Though he tried to make light of the situation, his eyes dimmed as they lowered. There was bitterness in his voice, the type that came from becoming your own worst enemy.
I’d been there once, a victim of true hopelessness. Had hated myself so fully it had almost led to my ruin. But I had found hope where he could not, and that was the defining difference between ruin and prosperity. Damien would allow himself to waste away here. While part of me could not deny he deserved to pay for his crimes, the other told me he already had.
What would it be like to have your mind and body taken over? To wake up and not know what was going on, but to see blood on your hands and your dead friend at your feet? I didn’t think anyone else could understand either, but yet we all judged him for it.
I nudged his shoulder. “I wouldn’t say what we do is fraternizing, per se, but I see your point. Still, it is no excuse for orders to be disobeyed. This will be rectified immediately. You should not have been treated like this.” I stood and dusted myself off. “Let me see what I can do about getting you some upgraded accommodations. I cannot promise anything, of course, but perhaps this mishap will lead to something good after all.”
Damien nodded, but his eyes remained trained on the floor. I opened the door, closing and locking it behind me as he spoke. “Go easy on her. She’s struggling to keep her head up. Though he will not listen, tell Matthew to give her a bit of space. She deserves more credit than any of us give her.”
I snorted. “If there is one thing mated males do not understand… it’s space.” His eyes lost even more light before I quickly added, “I’ll see what I can do, Damien. I know you mean well. Let’s just not tell him the suggestion came from you.”
It was then that he smiled. A small, infinitesimal thing, but I felt a pride bloom in my chest knowing I’d turned the encounter around. “I think this is the nicest conversation we’ve ever had,” he mused, looking up at me softly. It was easy to see why Eva had fallen for his boyish charm. Under better circumstances, I was sure he’d be easy to love. The tiny dimples only deepened the effect, and I smiled at him.
“I think you’re right,” I agreed, tipping up my chin. “But let’s not get used to it, eh?”
His laughter, a beautiful sound, followed me as I grabbed the torch and walked away, back into the darkness. Tomorrow I’d petition the king for a better arrangement. Hell, I’d bring in Eva if I had to in order to make them see reason. Her visit to him made me wonder if she was considering forgiveness. I understood her anger, and I could not imagine the pain she experienced at his hand, but seeing a person broken in every aspect like Damien was? It didn’t sit right with me.
As I approached the corridor on the main level, the sound of raised voices greeted me. Three if my hearing was correct—and it always was. Two males, that of the sentries standing guard, and one female. Hers I didn’t recognize, but I quickly realized it must’ve been someone with the meal Eva promised she would send, which meant she was still on the move.
“That pig doesn’t deserve the meals he gets,” one of them said. “He should have been executed immediately. Instead, the crown has been wasting resources on him. It’s despicable. What is the king thinking?”
“Well, you know what they say,” the other said. “I heard from one of the maids that the king is a drunkard. He’s been drinking his tea with whiskey, lately. And there are whispers why Saveq was put as Carnell’s warden—that she’s a succubus who feasts on the pleasures of men. Perhaps he’s eating her cunt for better treatment.”
The first one laughed, his thick accent deepening. “I’ve heard she and General Drake are an item. Wonder what he makes of it all? How much time would she really need to spend in Carnell’s company if the general is bedding her properly at night?”
“Please,” the woman said, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation. She shifted from one foot to the other. “I was told to bring this in immediately. I need to ensure it’s delivered, and I’ve been instructed not to leave until it’s done.”
One of the men moved forward, his footsteps loud and heavy. “Why don’t we take that off your hands? A pretty thing like you don’t need to be goin’ down to the dungeon. It’s dark and full of terrors!” Both men laughed.
The woman whimpered, and I could take no more. I pushed open the door, noting that both sentries had closed in on the woman. She trembled in their presence, her soft hair pulled back away from her face. The blond placed a hand on her back, drifting lower and lower, while the brown-headed oaf gripped the tray in her hands.
“Please,” she whispered. “Please—”
“I think that isquiteenough,” I said, leaning against the frame with my arms crossed. Both men looked up in surprise.
The mousy one stepped forward, his hand falling away from the tray held by the young maid. “My lady, I am so sorry. We didn’t mean—”
I held up my hand. “Allow me to stop you right there. What is your name?”
“Donovan, my lady,” he said, bowing his head slightly. His cheeks reddened, the sight bringing me satisfaction.
“And you?” I pointed at the blond one who remained near the poor woman.
The irritating fucker smirked, a sight I wished to wipe off his smarmy face. “Caryn.” He dropped into a patronizing bow. “At your service, my lady.”
Sighing, I rubbed my temples and pushed off the frame. “One. I am no lady. Do not address me as such. And—”
Caryn held up a finger and stepped forward. “Are you notLadyRenai Saveq of Druiston? Your parents are nobility, are they not? Which would make you a lady.” He smiled as if he had won some fight I did not know we were waging.
“I’m a lady in title alone. I don’t recognize the title unless I am at court, which I avoid at all costs. You may address me as Captain or Captain Saveq. Nothing else. As it is, you’ve not only disobeyed direct orders, but I find you to be an annoying ass. I don’t have time to watch you constantly, and if you can’t be trusted to do the job assigned to you, then maybe we should direct you somewhere else.”
Caryn and Donovan blanched, their faces going so very pale. They began stuttering, neither of them capable of saying anything worthwhile to defend themselves.
“I hear the stables have open positions and are in need of assistance. I think you’d feel right at home amongst the other beasts. Perhaps we should move you there for the time being. Shoveling shit might make you a bit more humble.”
