Page 87 of A Broken Promise

“Yes, sir,” I said, now nodding my head just a tiny bit, a survivor's costume I was so comfortable wearing. “I don’t know this man, and I don’t know the reason for this ambush, but I demand to be treated with respect as I am a Royal guest.”

He paused, as if surprised at my sudden found voice.

“A Royal guest, huh?” He narrowed his eyes. I swallowed hard as I watched him lower his eyes from the dagger in my hand down to my exposed thighs. Precisely on my visibly secured daggers, just within a reach of my fingertips.

A quick draw and I had a chance of killing him, yet against the twenty soldiers, I was powerless.

“A lady of nobility and yet carrying enough ammunition for an army…” His eyes met with mine. I glared back, unyielding. “One would say this is,” he motioned with his hand to my daggers. “More fitting for an assassin… or aRebel.”

My heart sank. But I wouldn’t fold, not now. Not until the end.

Though I could see my lie crumbling slowly.

“I am deeply offended by what you are insinuating, sir. But given the circumstances of this terrible night I shall be graceful and forgive you for it, and I shall also provide you with the proof. Ask the crowned Lady Anastacia and she will vouch for me.”

His face changed slightly at the mention of Lady Anastacia, yet even that was not convincing enough as he barked at his guards.

“Take them both.” He pointed at Kaius. “I will question him and her…” I paused, waiting for my own judgment. “Keep her until I figure out what and who she is.”

44

The group of guards hurried towards us, dragging us through the castle all the way down to the dungeons below. They didn’t bother to bind us or cover our eyes. No, they transported us to the dungeons and locked us behind metal bars in a dark, tall, cave-like cell.

The night was dark; even the moon was hiding behind the thick and heavy clouds. The small round opening in the ceiling, as big as a hand, served as the only source of light or fresh cold air, but none of it mattered.

I didn’t try to resist them, all twenty of them walked us down. I didn’t fight them as they shoved me roughly, until I tripped and fell down to my knees. Kaius was already there, resting against the cold stone wall, his eyes closed, his legs straightened, his arms hanging down, no longer holding the slow bleeding wound.

The moment the guards’ steps sounded far enough, I rushed to him, putting my hand to his bloodied, cold neck, applying as much pressure as I could. I paused only for a minute, trying to rip another part of my dress. My daggers were taken, except for one. I pulled Heart Piercer from behind, hidden well in the sewn sheath in the back of my dress. I cut another large piece of fabric and wrapped it as tight as I possiblycould without choking him out, keeping my hand pressed on his wound.

The warm blood kept on leaking, even now.

Gods, it would not clot at all, as if the Kahor’s bite was an anticoagulant.

I lowered my head to his chest. His face was so pale. His heart was so quiet that I had to feel his chest expand—the only sign that he was alive.

“Kaius, wake up. Stay awake, Kaius.” I moved his shoulders and pinched him hard.

He finally grunted, shrugging a bit.

“Oh, thank gods!” I whispered in relief as he slightly moved.

“I am so thirsty....” he mumbled without opening his eyes.

“What do we do now?” I asked, determined. No panic in my voice, just a simple soldier asking for direction from a commander.

“Nothing…” he said, his tone full of defeat.

I fought my rising frustration.

I ran inventory in my head of my possessions. A few poisoned pins and a dagger. I also had sleeping powder in my ring, yet only enough for one person. Not enough to escape alive.

Short of poisoning myself and stabbing Kaius, my options were quite grim.

I was left with nothing but hope.

Hope that Lady Anastacia would remember me…or that she was at least alive and coherent enough to testify to my alibi.

But then there was the matter of Kaius.

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