Page 53 of Destiny Redeemed
I sighed dramatically. “Of course, of course. But what if… we took a stroll somewhere secure? Say, the dungeons?”
Lennox’s eyes narrowed. “The dungeons are no place for a lady,” he said flatly, but his sharp gaze all but screamed,Do I look like an idiot?
I couldn’t help but smirk. No need to pretend anymore. “Come now, I’m hardly some delicate flower. Besides, Ihave questions for Gareth. Questions that could help your investigation.”
“Lady Ilyana, I cannot in good conscience-”
“Lennox,” I cut him off, my voice lowering. “He has worked for my family for years. Wouldn’t I be the best candidate to wiggle information out of him? You know as well as I do that Gareth holds vital information. Information that could prevent further attacks. Wouldn’t Prince Anderic want us to pursue every lead?”
I saw the conflict warring in his eyes. Good. I pressed on, “I promise to behave. You’ll be right there to protect me. What’s the harm in a quick chat? I only want to help.”
Lennox exhaled sharply, crossing his arms. “Help?” he said flatly. “Isn’t that how you ended up like this?”
I huffed. “That’s beside the point. Will you help or not?”
Lennox’s jaw clenched. “And if I refuse?”
I shrugged, settling back against the pillows. “Then I suppose I’ll have to find my own way down there. You know how resourceful I can be.”
He muttered something that sounded suspiciously like a curse. “Fine. One visit. Brief. If Prince Anderic discovers this—”
“It’ll be our little secret,” I assured him, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. My muscles protested, but I ignored the discomfort. I had bigger fish to fry.
Not that it would stay a secret for long. I knew Lennox well enough—he wouldn’t withhold this from Anderic. If anything, he’d probably report it to him the moment I was out of earshot.
Oh well, it didn’t matter. As long as I got what I needed.
As we made our way through the winding corridors, frustration simmered beneath my skin. I had spent so much time and effort trying to prevent my family’s downfall, only to come painfully close to losing everything—all because of Gareth.And it wasn’t over yet. The danger still loomed, lurking in the shadows, waiting for another opportunity to strike.
The first whiff of damp stone and despair hit my nostrils as we descended the stairs to the dungeons. I wrinkled my nose, memories of my own time here threatening to surface. How many more secrets would these walls reveal before this was over?
If only Gareth had listened to me and made himself scarce.
The stench of the dungeon hit me first – a potent mixture of mildew, human misery, and something metallic that might have been blood. I’d smelled it before, the last time I found myself here. Only last time, I’d been on the other side of those bars.
Gareth’s cell was at the end of the corridor, dimly lit by a single torch. As we approached, I could make out his hunched form on the straw-covered floor.
I barely recognized him through the swollen bruises that covered his face. One eye was completely shut, and dried blood caked the corner of his split lip. His fine clothes – the ones he’d always taken such pride in – were torn and filthy. Some small, vindictive part of me was pleased.Very, very pleased.
I found him tracking my movement with his good eye. The moment he noticed Lennox beside me, his expression darkened.
“Lennox,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I need to speak with Gareth alone.”
Lennox crossed his arms, eyes narrowing. “Absolutely not.”
“Do you really think he’ll tell me anything with you hovering over us like some grim statue?” I challenged. “You’ve seen what Anderic’s interrogation methods have accomplished.” I gestured toward Gareth’s battered form.
Lennox’s jaw tightened. “I don’t trust him. And I certainly don’t trust him alone with you.”
“What exactly do you think he’ll do? Break through those bars with his bare hands?” I crossed my arms. “You can standat the end of the corridor. Close enough to hear me scream, far enough to give us privacy.”
He studied me for a long moment before giving a curt nod. “Ten minutes,” he grumbled. “Not a second more.”
“More than enough,” I replied sweetly.
As Lennox’s footsteps echoed down the corridor, Gareth struggled to his feet. Each movement seemed to cause him pain, yet there was something deliberate in the way he approached the bars.
“I knew you’d come,” he wheezed, clutching his side. He shuffled closer to the bars, his good eye gleaming with something that made my skin crawl.
