Page 106 of Taken By Shadows

With strained effort, Kaed looked up at Morgana. It was like there were chains around his neck, bowing his head. His muscles rippled like forge-beaten iron as he forced himself to stand.

Even cuffed and bound, he looked unassailable.

There were faces in the rotunda that went pale and wide-eyed.

Varris in particular looked bloodless as he saw Kaed rise.

“I understand, Councillor Morningstar. Thank you,” Kaed ground out.

Without missing a breath, Celeste stood in her alcove. “I will vouch for Kaedian.”

“Perhaps it wasn’t clear, Councillor, but no member of this council may speak for the prince.” Varris sneered and straightened the cuff of his sleeve. “It would be unethical to lay a law and use our own power to assuage it.” There was far too much glee in his voice.

My heart soared as it snagged on a thought.

“Lord Tymon will vouch for me,” Kaed said at the same time I’d thought it. But his words were laboured.

From above, a softer voice from a man with a sickly pallor to his skin spoke. “The Lord is out of town, travelling with his wife. I’m sorry.”

He sounded sincere.

“Thank you, Councillor Gossan.” Varris the man who had spoken with a sharp look. “If there is no one …?” Councillor Varris looked around at his eleven other council members. Each of them shifted as he watched them.

A strong female with warm brown hair and attire closer to that of Denora than Celeste glowered at Varris from her alcove.

A few stern faces clearly disapproved of what was happening, but they had laid the law of Kaed’s city confinement already. They needed to protect their trade.

They needed the son of Hayden here.

And for whatever motivation each of them had, they stayed silent.

“Very well,” Councillor Morningstar began.

Before she could finish, there was a crash from behind me just outside the chamber, and Gavrin barrelled into the room, knocking two guards down like they were wooden pins.

In her alcove high above, the tawny female who’d glared at Varris tensed as she locked onto Gavrin.

Denora skidded in behind him and moved to Kaed in the centre of the room but was stopped in her path by four soldiers.

“What’s going on here? Unchain my prince.” Denora’s voice was every bit the Head Sentinel as she spoke, her hand poised on the hilt of her sword.

My shoulders rose as Denora called for Kaed’s release. She was entirely fearless. The soldiers around her might have been sprites for all the heed she gave them. But she stilled when she noticed Kaed’s form.

He didn’t even blink at his sentinel. He looked like he could hardly hear her.

The soldiers around us held their hands with magic in each palm.

She splayed her hands defensively and came to my side.

Guards now surrounded Gavrin.

“He’s to have someone vouch for him before he can leave,” I explained, leaning into her. “It’s all my fault.”

How could they do this to a prince? The Crown Prince of the Four Corners?

Denora gripped my hand. “I’ll do it. I’ll vouch for him. Whatever you need.” Denora held the stare of each council member in her sight.

I held my breath.