Page 139 of Rook of Ruin
“Thank you for cleaning them. If you need anything more, I will be with the injured warriors who fought for our kingdom.”
I walk off, finding Stallion shirtless with blood blooming through his bandages, sitting in a chair, watching over two injured children who are waiting for a room.
“I knew their parents. They were good people.” Tears well up in his eyes. “They don’t deserve this.”
An older man with a friendly face walks through double doors leading to a massive dining room. “Stallion. You need some rest. Hells, man, you just lost most of your arm.”
“And they just lost their family,” Stallion says angrily.
The older man looks at him and softly speaks. “I am part of their family. I am still here for them.”
Stallion runs his hand down his face. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.” He squats down in front of Stallion. “I lost them too.”
“Your Highness.” Gribble approaches, bowing low again. “I—”
I interrupt him, “Gribble, are there any injured in the main suite?”
“No, Your Highness, it is ready for you. I can escort you at your convenience.” His black mustache twitches as he says it.
Bow walks in with a sneer, looking at the butler, and I place a sugary sweet smile on my face. “Please assist Bow in taking one of the children up to that room. I will follow with the other.” Stallion snaps his head to me, surprised, while Gribble scowls.
Bow chuckles. “Get used to it. Feckin’ full of surprises, our Ruin.”
“You’re part of her personal guard too?” Stallion stands, holding out his hand.
Bow clasps his forearm. “We are.” Stallion grins.
Bow and Gribble pick up the stretcher with the larger child. The old man waits at the other end of the stretcher with the smaller child. Together, we walk up the staircase as Gribble informs us that there are fourteen bedrooms, adequate receiving and dining rooms, good kitchen staff, and while everyone else escaped with the lord, he stayed.
The large suite has a small study attached. The bed will accommodate the children, there’s a chair for the old man, and a cot will be brought up for Stallion. I smirk when I discover the bathroom does not have a shower.
I use the facilities and wash my hands, and my tired, bloody face stares back at me in the mirror. I find myself wishing for the calming peace from before, but it does not come. Sighing, I open the door to Bow holding a dagger to Gribble’s throat.
“Feckin’ say it again.” The dagger drips blood.
Stallion smiles wide, proving he’s just as sadistic as the rest of us. I lean against the door and fold my arms, waiting to see if we will need towels to clean up a bloody mess. I’m thankful the kind man is gone and the children are passed out.
“I-I’m just repeating what I heard f-from Lord Cobal. I’m not s-saying it’s true,” Gribble stutters.
“But you feckin’ said it.” Bow digs the dagger in deeper.
I roll my eyes. “If you’re going to kill him, get it over with. Otherwise, I have more important things to do.”
Gribble’s eyes widen in fear. “Wait! Wait! I know where he hid some jewels! In the armoire, there is a false bottom.”
“I have my own.” I shrug, unimpressed.
“There are other things in there too. Books, papers,” Gribble pleads. I’m shocked he hasn’t pissed himself yet. I tilt my head, and Bow lets him go. Gribble runs over to the empty armoire and pulls out papers, two black leather books, and jewels.
Holding up one of the black leather books, I open it to the marked page and almost drop the journal. “Where did he get this?” I whisper.
Gribble touches his mustache. “I don’t know.”Lie.
My eyes dart to Bow, who immediately stabs into Gribble’s side. Bow covers Gribble’s mouth before he can let out a yell. “Tell me where Lord Cobal got the books, or I’ll have Bow twist it, and no amount of healing will save your fucking useless life.”
Gribble swallows and breathes out heavily. “He stole them from the queen.”
