Page 39 of Rise of the Gods: Vardor's Destiny
That didn't change the fact that Vardor frightened me more than Thomas ever had. He had kidnapped me. Bound and gagged me. This man was capable of anything. But... my mind worked feverishly. If I could make him believe I was working with him, if I could win his trust, and if I could get my jewelry from Abbie, I might be able to escape him during our journey. Or in Egypt.
Nowthatwas a plan.
One I could get on board with.
Then I would be truly free. I could go wherever I pleased. I could stay in Egypt or make my way to America. The jewelry Abbie was hiding for me was worth a fortune. Neither my father nor Thomas knew where it was, or that I had played them against each other in buying all of it for me.
My father never buys me any jewelry, I said to Thomas, whereas I told my father that I needed a lot of fancy trinkets asa countess. He had opened a credit for me at several stores, and I had shamelessly taken advantage of it. I didn't even feel bad about it or for lying to Thomas, the two deserved whatever was coming to them.
The best part was that neither one of them would be looking for me. Well not as a runaway, anyway. They thought I had been abducted. Soon, they'd probably think I was dead. Nobody would be looking for me!
Before my brain danced a waltz in my head, I threw a furtive glance at my captor. Nobody but him.
I shuddered.
No, I didn't believe for a second that he could follow myscent. I didn't. But...
Well, I would cross that bridge when I got to it.
"How are we going to get to Egypt?"
"By ship," he looked at me curiously. Did he suspect that I was humoring him?
Since Thomas and I would have spent our honeymoon in Egypt—he had planned a six-month trip—I was well-versed in the different routes. A small flutter passed through my stomach at the memory of us sitting bent over maps spread on the dining room table. Chess figures represented our route and choice of transportation. During moments like that, I forgot about his terrible plans for me. In those moments, we were friends, a team. Planning and looking forward to a trip of a lifetime.
Did I miss Thomas? Part of me did. Despite my dreadful-looking future, I had held on to hope that he would change his mind. ThatIwould change his mind. I had never been afraid of him. Not physically. Not like I was of Vardor, who could snap my neck with the flick of his fingers. Thomas was a gentleman, refined, good-mannered. Not like this... this beast, who hadn't hesitated to tie me up and gag me.
No, Thomas would have hired thugs to take you to St. George's Fields, the ever-present, now snarky-becoming voice in my mind whispered.He would have been too much of agentlemanto watch you thrown into the pit of humanity's worst.
I pulled myself back together. There was no use in dwelling on what could and would have been. I was here now. Determined to make the best out of this situation.
"We'll need money for this. Lots of money," I told him.
"I'm aware. Do not worry. I will take care of it."
The memory of the ruby he had given the proprietor flashed through my mind. With it came another memory. His sarcophagus, which had been filled with gemstones and gold. I had a hard time believing the Great Belzoni would have been so spooked that he hadn't plundered the coffin when he had a chance. That, however, was a mystery for another day.
"I have some funds too," I offered.
Dark eyes perused me thoughtfully. Had I gone too far?
"Why would you all of the sudden want to help?"
Truth or pretending to be intimidated?
I settled on a mix between the two.
"I was supposed to be on my way to Egypt now," I filled him in. He looked surprised. "For our honeymoon. I've always dreamed of going to see the great pyramids, Cairo." I didn't need to force the wistful smile on my face, it was just there.
"You dreamed of Orasis?" He followed up.
I nodded, ignoring the name he used. "All my life, since I was a little kid."
Hope shone in his eyes. Part of me hated myself for doing this to him, but I reassured myself that I wasn't. He and his delusions were doing thisforhim.
"So you do remember?"
"I don't remember anything," I confided. "But I have felt a draw to the lands of the pharaohs that grew with everything I learned about it."
