Page 68 of The Rebel's Prize

"Then we're done here. Once we're out of the cell, the sanctii will undo your shackles. I'd advise you not to try anything with him."

"Are the shackles really necessary?" Istvan asked.

"I can have a healer examine your wrists if they're causing any injury," Lucien said. "Other than that, they will remain for now." He wasn't satisfied that it was safe to make it easier for Istvan or Deandra to touch someone by leaving their hands free.

He paused, in case the question might be a delay tactic, buying time while Istvan gathered his nerve to offer some information, as sometimes happened. But no, the man merely shook his head and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as the cell door opened.

* * *

Chloe stood silently outside the cell as the lieutenant locked it and Octarus freed Istvan from the wall.

Lucien ushered her and Usiel back toward the desk, turning his back on the cells, not wanting to give Deandra or Istvan a chance to read their lips. "I think we'll give Mamsille Noirene time to contemplate things before we talk to her. Let her worry that we're not talking to her immediately because we got what we needed from Istvan. Perhaps she'll decide she needs to save herself. Lieutenant, under no circumstances are those wards to be dropped. The prisoners must not communicate."

The lieutenant saluted. "Understood, my lord."

"Thank you."

He didn't need to tell Chloe they were leaving. She moved to the door quickly, clearly keen to be gone. Her pace didn't slow as they walked away from the brig.

They had hardly stepped back into the main section of the barracks when Imogen and the barracks commander, Colonel Hislock, descended on them.

"Well?" they demanded, almost in unison.

Lucien held up his hand. "Our illusioner isn't going to give us what we want willingly." He looked at Imogene. "Will the navire be ready to leave tonight?

"Yes. Captain Bertrand is keen to get underway before sunset if we can. Is that likely?"

"I think so. I'm not expecting Deandra to be cooperative. Colonel, has anyone else from the troupe decided to talk since last night?"

"No, they're all remarkably tongue-tied. And nervous," the colonel answered, a frown marring his tanned face. He had iron-gray hair and eyes, the very image of a serious Imperial officer.

"I imagine being held by the Imperial army would do that to anyone," Chloe said with a half smile.

Colonel Hislock acknowledged her point with a brief nod. "Yes, there is that. The truth is yet to be determined, I suppose, Major?"

"Yes. This magic we're dealing with, well, it makes things difficult. Actually, I have some thoughts on that, but first, I think my wife and I will take a quick break and discuss what we just heard before we decide on how to tackle Mamsille Noirene." He yawned, his jaw cracking, and saw Chloe frown.

Imogene agreed. "That sounds sensible. You need to pack your things anyway, and then one of the privates can transfer them to the navire. I can have food or tea brought to your room if you're hungry."

Lucien shook his head. "No, I just need a short break. An hour or so, and then we'll try Deandra."

* * *

When Lucien had locked their door behind them and activated the wards, Chloe asked, "Do you want to sleep?"

He closed the gap between them and held her close, tucking her head under his chin. "I just need to breathe a moment."

Frustration pulsed through the bond, spiking through her like pins jabbing. Either he was more tired than he was admitting or he had deliberately loosened the iron-tight grip on the bond he'd held during the interrogation.

She let his emotions run through her, hoping that sharing them with her would lessen their hold on him. For a moment, she breathed with him, telling herself everything was fine, that it was Lucien she was feeling.

Frustration was natural. He was used to being good at his job without having to work at it too much. But now with the memory charms, he was working with his magic shackled as firmly as Istvan's hands.

She tipped her head back so she could talk. "Did you notice him lying at any point?"

"No. Not so far." He let her go, stepping away so she wasn't craning her neck so far. "Did you?"

"No," she said. "No sign of a bond either. Though bonds can be dissolved and reformed as needed."

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