Page 18 of A Kingdom Restored

“What do you have in mind?” he asked Brody.

“We’re going to break him out,” Brody said simply. He jerked his head toward the several guards sitting knee to knee on one of the simple sleeping pallets. “A few of these fine gentlemen are on the guard rotation for the dungeons, which will be a considerable help.”

Heath raised an eyebrow at the men in question. “You’re ready to be hanged in his place? That’s presumably what would happen if you unlocked his cell and let him walk out.”

“Give us a little credit, Heath,” Bianca said impatiently. “We weren’t planning to unlock the cell. We just want guards we can count on not to notice any unusual noises and the like.”

Heath frowned, looking between them all. “Well?” he prompted impatiently, when no one explained.

“There’s a wisteria vine growing not far from the dungeons,” Brody said meaningfully. “With branches strong enough to climb down.”

Heath considered him thoughtfully, his thoughts flying to the many occasions when he’d seen his cousin use the magic with which he’d been born. It allowed him to manipulate plants in all kinds of ways.

“You mean branches strong enough to rip apart iron bars, with the right super-strengthened encouragement, you mean.”

“That’s precisely what I mean,” Brody said approvingly.

“The bars will have a little assistance in moving, hopefully,” Jasmine said.

Heath raised an eyebrow at her. Her strength had grown if she was expecting to move iron. Last he’d seen, her ability to move things with her magic had been limited to small items within her immediate environment. It seemed he hadn’t been the only one who’d been spurred on by the king’s restrictions to secretly develop and hone his magic.

Ironic, really.

“Where’s Leonora?” he asked. “Doesn’t she approve of this?”

“I didn’t want to drag her into it,” Jasmine said, with a touch of defensiveness. “Besides, it’s not like she could help much by cooling or heating the air.”

“And when is this marvelous rescue happening?” Heath asked.

“The first even vaguely stormy night,” Bianca informed him brightly. She gave him the ghost of a grin. “You won’t believe the racket the wind can make, and the things that kind of noise can cover up.”

Clearly she had figured out how her ability to control weather could help.

“Are we sure we can trust him?” The muttered aside from one of the guards was easily audible in the enclosed space. “He’s practically the crown prince’s lackey.”

“Percival is Heath’sbrother,” Bianca said fiercely, turning to the man who’d spoken. “He’d never let the king kill him.” She looked back at Heath. “Right, Heath?”

“Of course I won’t,” he said firmly. “But the situation isn’t desperate yet.”

“Not desperate?” exploded Brody. “Heath, the whole city is waiting with bated breath for the king to announce an execution date any minute.”

“But he hasn’t announced one, has he?” Heath said patiently. “The formal investigation is still ongoing.” He held up his hands to stop Brody’s rising retort. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad you’re not willing to let Percival die for a crime he didn’t commit. But I don’t think you’ve really thought this all through. If we bust him out, he’ll be a fugitive for the rest of his life. He’ll have to flee the kingdom, and never look back.” He glanced around the room. “As will any of us implicated in his escape.”

“It’s worth it,” Jasmine said, a slight quaver in her voice.

“Wasn’t your father considering moving your whole family to Kyona anyway?” Bianca asked earnestly. “When the king announced he was going to take Laura’s babies away from her for testing?”

Heath ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, he was,” he acknowledged. “But all that went out the window when Percival got arrested. Of course none of us would dream of leaving with him trapped in the dungeons. Besides, the king personally told me that he would reconsider the plan regarding Laura’s children.”

“And you’re ready to take his word for it?” Brody demanded. He stepped forward in the cramped space, his eyes fierce as they rested on his cousin. “Heath, I’m starting to wonder if Percival was right about you forgetting where your loyalty belongs.”

“Save the dramatics,” said Heath tartly. “I haven’t forgotten anything. I have no more intention than you do of letting Percival be hanged. But I don’t plan to condemn him to a life on the run unless it’s truly necessary. I haven’t given up on changing King Matlock’s mind openly.”

“And when will you give up on that?” one of the guards challenged. “When the noose is around your brother’s neck?”

Heath met the man’s eyes squarely. “Well before that,” he assured him. “If King Matlock sets a date for the execution, I’ll coordinate the rescue myself.”

“I suppose that’s as good as we’ll get from you,” muttered Brody, disgruntled at Heath’s calm response.

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