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Alex peered into the cell once again. Montagne was supposed to have made a bundle under the bedsheets to make it appear as though the king was sleeping. He’d either forgotten or couldn’t find any materials.
“He’s coming!” Tristan hissed.
“Leroy, your coat,” Alex ordered. Montagne and the king were away. If she was caught it would make it that much more difficult to take the king out of the country, but Montagne would not wait for her. Leroy pulled off his coat and handed it to her.
“I still have to replace the padlock!”
Alex stared at Tristan. “Stall him!” Then, covering her nose with her sleeve, she ran into the cell.
Twenty
Tristan watched Alexdisappear into the cell and very much wanted to go in after her. He wanted to pull her out and force her to leave, to run to safety. Leroy gave him a panicked look, and Tristan did the next best thing he could think of. He turned and marched down the stairs, intercepting the captain, who would have reached them in a matter of seconds.
“Captain, there you are!”
The captain of the guards looked annoyed to see Tristan heading toward him. He tried to push forward, but Tristan barred his way. “Captain, I have a few questions for you.”
“I can answer them at the gate, Citoyen Chevalier. I must look in on the prisoner one last time.”
“Of course, but before you do that.” The stairwell was narrow, and Tristan need only edge a bit one way and then the other to block the captain. “Can you tell me how you intend to keep the boy from escaping his cell. I noticed he has a window.”
The captain lowered his brows. “The window has bars on it, citoyen. I’m sure you must have noted that.”
“But how old are the bars? Is the iron still solid? Iron does tend to weaken over time. Have you tested these bars yourself, Captain?”
“I have not. No one but Citoyen Simon is allowed inside the cell with the little brat.”
“Ah, yes. Citoyen Simon.” Tristan crossed his arms and leaned a shoulder against the wall of the Temple. “And where is he? Does he often leave his work? Where does he go?”
The captain stiffened. “I’m afraid if you want that information, you will have to ask Simon himself. Now, if you will excuse me.” He gestured toward the landing.
Tristan could think of no more questions, nothing else that would delay the captain. But instead of allowing the man to pass, he turned to lead him up, walking as slowly as possible. Behind him, the captain huffed out an impatient breath.
Tristan’s heart pounded as they reached the landing. Had Leroy managed to close the padlock and lock the cell? Had Alexandra escaped the cell? He stepped onto the landing, but before he could survey the scene, the captain pushed past him. He went directly to the cell and peered inside. Then he looked at the padlock and looked at Tristan.
Tristan swallowed and took a step back. He might be able to outrun the captain, but the other soldiers would catch him easily.
