Page 102 of Captive of the Stolen Empire

“Perhaps you’ll think before abusing our emperor’s hospitality in the future,” Lucien raged. “Or mine.”

The last comment had my shoulders hunching further, as if I could sink through the ground away from them all. Retreating footsteps squished through the mud. His magical show must have run its course.

I’d yet to rise when another captain approached from behind. I raised my head just in time to see Brishon circle around and crouch in front of me. His form blocked my view of Ryszard’s box and most of the stands on either side.

“Scream when I touch you,” he whispered, pulling at his glove.

“What?” My brows scrunched together. Pity from Lucien I could almost understand, but from another captain?

“Scream like you’re on fire.”

He grabbed my wrist, and I did as he commanded, letting my voice screech like never before, shill and terrible.

Brishon released me and turned without a word, ignoring the discarded woman he’d supposedly just filled with pain. I made a show of it, gripping my arm where he had and letting myself rock back into the mud. He must have known about the bracelet and its protection, yet he, too, spared me.

As the guards hauled me to my feet and unchained me from the metal ring, Ryszard began to spout more lies. Poison for the ears and the mind.

Before they pulled me away, I hazarded one last look at my friends—and wished I hadn’t. Whatever they’d seen told a story on their faces I’d remember long after this day.

Chapter46

Lucien

Warren, Zurina, Brishon, and I huddled in a tight circle, a few loyal guards keeping watch nearby. The edge of the forest cloaked us in shadow. Across the training fields, moonlight touched the castle spires, disappearing into the glow emanating from various windows. We’d slipped out one by one before dinner—the first chance we’d had after the events in the arena this afternoon.

“This is getting out of hand,” Zurina exclaimed, pacing back and forth. “Killing another of his honored guests? We must act now.”

Her words slipped through my mind like water. Ilya consumed my thoughts. She’d stolen from me. Admitted it. But that look in her eyes nearly slew me on the spot. What wouldn’t she do to help her people? Nothing. And I knew that, no matter how sharply her betrayal cut.

You didn’t tell her you had a plan either.My conscious taunted me.

“Yes, but we must be smart about this.” Warren’s crossed arms gave away his anxiety despite the level tone of his voice. “They’ll send his body back to his people tomorrow. One of us can volunteer for that mission. Use it as a distraction to get the word out.”

Ilya must think me a monster now. One who threw her in a cell and condemned her to torture, even if it was less severe than what the emperor believed occurred. The way her body shook when she sobbed in the muck and the crack of her voice wasn’t all an act—it couldn’t have been.

“You think they’ll let us?” Brishon scoffed. “We aren’t exactly favorites anymore.”

“Then we won’t give them a choice,” Zurina said, voice fervent. “I’ll arrange a troop of guards tonight and leave at first light. Once I’m away from the castle, I can send out my animals to the rebels with messages for them. I need to be somewhere I can focus on the use of my magic without being questioned.”

“Can you do so many at once?” Brishon asked.

“I must try. The more time I have to focus and connect with my beasts, the better.”

Warren placed a hand on her arm, drawing her to a halt. “We need to think about getting people out first,” Warren said. “Any guards loyal to us, servants, and especially the hostages. The emperor will kill them all if he thinks the city-states are in open rebellion. I can’t lo—” He dropped his arms, cutting his gaze to the castle. “We can’t let that happen.”

“Right. Lucien?” Zurina smacked my shoulder.

All eyes were on me as I came back to the moment. The dappled glow of the twin moons glinted off polished armor as I looked from one ally to the next in our tight circle.

“Doubting us now, brother?” Brishon asked.

I shook myself, trying to free the shackles of memory that tried to suck me down into the wooded darkness.

“No. Never.” Resolve strengthened me.

“We need you here.” Zurina grasped my upper arm. “Only with all of us together do we have a chance.”

I nodded. “I’m here.” However difficult, I shoved thoughts of Ilya away from my mind.

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