Page 66 of Lost Heir
As we navigated the shadowed passageways, the reality of our situation weighed heavily on me. The palace, my home, had become a prison from which we had to flee, our freedom hinging on the success of our desperate escape.
Marcellus guided us through a series of winding, dimly lit passageways that felt increasingly claustrophobic as silence pressed in on us from all sides. Eventually, we arrived at a nondescript wooden door that seemed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding stone wall. Marcellus pushed it open with a firm shove.
“These are the underground tunnels—a network of forgotten passages that run like veins beneath the palace and its grounds,” he explained as we tried to peer inside the darkness. “No one but me knows they exist. I use them to sneak out of the palace once in a while. It’ll spit you out close to the border of Keldara.”
“Good.” I nodded. “That’s where we need to go.”
Marcel frowned. “You’re going to cross the border?”
“Yes. It’s the only way.”
Marcellus sighed. “Be careful, Lyanna. They might not be after you, but they could definitely leverage you if they needed to.”
“We’ll be careful,” I promised.
The air within the tunnel was cool and musty, filled with the scent of damp earth and the whisper of secrets long buried. As we stepped into the shadowy confines of the passageway, Marcellus produced a torch from a nook by the entrance and lit it, the flickering flame casting eerie shadows on the earthen walls.
“This is where we part ways,” Marcellus said, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space. “These tunnels will lead you out beyond the palace grounds. Just follow the main passage until you reach the old oak tree. You'll find another exit there.”
Ronan nodded, his expression grim. “Thank you, Marcellus. For everything.”
Marcellus clapped him on the shoulder, a silent messageof camaraderie between them. “Just make sure you both stay safe. And Ronan, take care of my sister for me.”
Ronan's gaze met mine, filled with a promise that needed no words.
Selene stepped forward and hugged me tightly. “Be careful, Leila,” she whispered. “I'll see you soon.”
With one last look at my brother and my best friend, Ronan and I turned to face the darkness of the tunnel before us. Hand in hand, we began our descent into the bowels of Valoria, the torchlight casting our elongated shadows ahead of us as we navigated the uneven ground.
The tunnel was narrow, the walls rough and cool to the touch, moisture glistening on the stones in the dim light. Our footsteps were muffled by the soft earth beneath us, the only sounds the distant drip of water and our own steady breathing.
As we walked, the weight of our departure settled over me—a mix of fear, sadness, and a burgeoning sense of freedom. With each step, we moved further away from the life I had known and into an uncertain future.
“Watch your step,” Ronan whispered as he led the way, our hands interlocked.
“How far do you think this tunnel goes?” I whispered in return.
Ronan shrugged. “It must be fairly long, if it exits on the other side of the palace. We’d literally have to cut through the Western palace to get there.”
Other than the sound of our hurried footsteps, the tunnel was quiet. “I’m sorry, Ronan,” I murmured.
His steps faltered and he peered over his shoulder at me. “Sorry for what?”
I fought the tears that pricked at my eyes. “This is all my fault. Everything that happened—”
Ronan resumed walking. “It would have eventually happened, Leila. Caelan wants me out of the picture so he can make you his. Whether it was now or a year from now, he would have devised a plan to make it happen. None of this is your fault. It’shis.”
While deep down I knew he was right, I couldn’t help the feeling of guilt that weighed down my shoulders. If Ronan had never met me, he’d probably still be living comfortably in the Grasslands.
“Do you ever regret it?”
“Regret what?” he asked as we continued our trek through the tunnels, guided solely by torchlight.
“Regretus,” I said, my voice low.
“Never,” he said confidently. “Do you?”
I shook my head. “No, I don’t. But in times like these, I just wonder …”
