Page 81 of Hidden Kingdoms

I was going to miss my bed when they downgraded my prison.

His mouth twitched slightly before he answered. “No.”

I managed a short sigh of relief before sucking in deep breaths. I would have hated to give up my little room, no matter how bored of it I had become. There was something about real mattresses and running water that made it special.

My body relaxed slightly as the air I pulled in was fresh and crisp, as though I was standing atop a mountain. Yet as the sound of footsteps echoed around us, I tensed again, racing heart returning.

Someone was going to find us, see what I did—what if it was another guard? My mind swam at the thought, and I fought to push down my rising panic. Did Marcellus really have any say in what would happen to me now?

Before I could figure out my next move, the footsteps rounded the corner, and a woman approached.

Her hair was bright as a flame and braided down her back, eyes a light green I had never seen before, with a riot of freckles that swept across her face.

She held a bundle of black fabric clasped in her hand, and her eyes widened as she took in the way Marcellus was holding me, before she schooled her features again, but I didn’t miss the curiosity that lingered there.

“Take her to her room,” Marcellus ground out. I could see he was still fighting his rage, his grip on me almost painful. Muscles tensed beneath my hands, but I didn’t push him away and he didn’t release me, either.

The woman’s eyes moved from us to the guard slumped on the floor, then back again as she made no move to do as he asked.

“Did you do that?” she asked, her head nodding towards the body slumped on the floor.

I nodded, finding no words would come out.

“Did he deserve it?” Her eyes flicked to the ripped fabric of my dress.

“Yes,” I answered, confident this time because, yes, he fucking did.

“Nice work.” A sharp grin played on her mouth. “Maybe you should let her go, Mars, before you squeeze her to death. Looks like you’ve got some cleaning up to do.”

Mars.

Who was this woman? With one last sweep of his eyes over my face, almost as though he was reminding himself I was still there, Marcellus stepped back—slowly letting go of me. I felt strangely alone now his body wasn’t pressed against mine, wasn’t holding me, and cold air filled all the places he had been warming.

“Take her back, Alouette.”

She nodded once before turning to me. “Let’s go then, Killer.”

“He’s not dead,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected as Marcellus let out a frustrated sigh.

“Not yet,” she said, her eyes dancing with mirth. “But by the looks of it, you got him good and proper.”

My mouth dropped open as I gaped at her, but I could see the approval as she looked back at me. A large hand touched the bottom of my back, pushing me gently towards her and sending my body back into overdrive.

She wore what seemed to be a mix of Marcellus’ clothing and the uniform the guards wore. The black fabric hugged her body, and a belt was slung around her waist, a large knife hangingfrom it—although something about the way she held herself told me she wouldn’t be needing that in a fight.

“Go with her, Little One,” he said roughly, and I turned to face him. I couldn’t help as my eyes slid from his rugged face to the body that was twitching on the floor. Marcellus’ hand gripped my chin hard before forcing my eyes back to his, my stomach clenched in deranged excitement. “Now.”

I nodded as much as I was able with my jaw still held in his hand before he let me go, pushing me again to the woman. My legs were a shaky mess that I wasn’t sure would hold me up as I stepped forward. The adrenaline-fuelled sprint through the palace had worn off, leaving me weak, but I stayed steady as I walked towards her.

She turned without a word, and I followed, mind reeling.

32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

ELODIE

We hadn’t made it far when I felt it. The overwhelming rush of power that swept down the corridor, followed by a roar that sent goosebumps pricking at my skin; I was certain even the floor shook from its force. I spun as I was drawn back the way we came, but we had turned a corner, and I could see nothing but the empty hall that betrayed no sign of what had happened.

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