AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Sandra wanted to shake her head, but knew the troll would report even this small movement to Margetta. I might have my own way out. But if not, do all you can to take this monster down.
She watched the Ruby Fae’s eyes fill with tears. I will. May the Goddess be with you.
And with you.
No other words were exchanged, though two tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks.
Sandra took the empty tray from off the table, and nodding to the troll through the barred window, she heard the key turn in the lock once more.
When the troll opened the door, Sandra moved into the small hallway beyond. She slowly made her way down the curved and very steep stairwell, her slippers shushing on the stone floor.
She offered a prayer to the Goddess to protect Regan and guide her as she made her escape from Margetta’s fortress. The Ruby Fae’s future was now out of her hands, but she hoped with all her heart Regan somehow found a way past Margetta’s spell.
When she reached the hall that connected to both the outdoors and the fortress proper, she waited for the troll to open the door for her. She avoided eye-contact, which helped keep the troll’s occasional advances to a minimum.
For a moment, when he made no move to open the door, she feared this would be one of those times she’d have to shout and threaten him. Mostly, he drank too much beer, as he had been tonight, and smelled like it.
She directed her thoughts to Griffin. We’re at the bottom of the tower. The guard is trying to decide whether to flirt with me or not.
Do you need me to come to you?
Not sure. Let me talk to him first. She glanced at the troll and aloud said, “Well? Mistress Yvonne is waiting for me. And in case you’ve forgotten, I have a ceremony tonight. And I don’t think Margetta would like it if you roughed me up just before she mate-bonded me to a wraith.”
“Fuck,” the troll spit. He huffed a sigh, wrinkled up his nose and pulled the door wide.
Sandra crossed the threshold and felt his hand graze her bottom. She turned toward him, nostrils flaring. “You sure you want to be touching me? Because remember, once I’m Invictus, I won’t have any manners left and I might just feel the need to come after you.”
He looked up at her like a hurricane had just hit his face. “Y-yes, Mistress. Apologies.”
“Then make it up to me and carry the tray back to the kitchen. I’m going to freshen up in my room. Maybe then, I’ll think of you with kindness.”
He took the tray and moved down the hall, his slippered feet padding quickly. As a house slave, he was required to wear soft shoes. Margetta didn’t like a lot of clunking in her home.
To Griffin, she pathed. I’m on my way.
Her heart once more set up a racket. She wondered if Regan had made her escape yet. From the tower cell, Regan could cross the roof of the fortress and levitate over the side, though how she was supposed to navigate Margetta’s powerful spell, Sandra didn’t know. But at least she’d provided the Ruby Fae with a chance to get out.
Griffin’s voice slid through her mind. Yvonne’s not here yet.
She’s not? Okay. Something has prevented her. Yvonne should have returned to Sandra’s bedroom by now. I’ll go to the kitchen and see what the trouble is.
We’re running out of time. Once you have her, let me know you’re on your way and I’ll meet you in the rose garden.
Will do.
Sandra ran down the servants’ stairs as fast as she could, her skirts held in both hands. She was puffing by the time she reached the hall outside Yvonne’s room. She heard Fulton shouting at her.
Needing an excuse to barge in, she ran the short distance to the supply room and gathered up a small basin, a towel and some soap.
She hurried back to the housekeeper’s room and with Fulton still attempting to shout Yvonne down, she pushed the door wide. “I’m here for your feet, Mistress. Oh, hello, Mastyr Fulton. You’ll forgive me, I don’t have much time and I promised the housekeeper I’d tend to her corns before my bonding ceremony.”
Fulton glanced down at the housekeeper’s currently bare feet and recoiled at the sight of the knobby enflamed lumps on her toes. “Well, it’ll have to wait. I have business here.”
“Then you won’t mind if I take care of Mistress’s feet while you speak with her?”
“No. Yes. Who gives a fuck, and where is Mastyr Griffin?” His face had turned red.
Sandra shrugged. “How should either of us know? Isn’t he your responsibility?” To Yvonne, she said, “I’ll just fetch some warm water. I’ll be right back. But remember, my bonding takes place in fifteen minutes.”
