Page 71 of The Court of Secrets
Adius gripped his staff, and rage pulsed through me. “Do me a favor. Don’t use that anymore.”
His eyebrows knitted together. “Why not?”
I couldn’t admit to what I knew without giving everything away. I trusted Adius with my life, but he was as religious as they came, and I didn’t want to test his loyalty between his queen and his beliefs. “Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“Majesty?”
“Please, let’s get going.” I swallowed hard, but the lump in my throat didn’t move. “They’ll be hung in a couple of hours. I don’t want to get caught.”
He nodded curtly. “Walk out behind me carrying this.” He thrust a tray into my hands. “Don’t speak, and follow several steps behind me. I’ll meet with my men at the entrance by the dungeons, then you will go down with water for the prisoners.”
I inhaled sharply. “Let’s go.”
The door swung open, and Adius addressed to the two guards standing on either side of my door. “Her Majesty is taking her rest for the afternoon and will not be disturbed for the next couple of hours. Send any visitors away.”
“Yes, General.”
My stomach felt like jelly as I stepped out behind him. Neither of them even looked at me. The tray clattered against the metal jugs. I kept my head down, only watching Adius’s knee-high black boots strode across the hallway. Every so often, he’d glance back to check I was still following him. I held my breath as Lord Abor passed us, anger lacing his features, but he didn’t notice me. It was kind of freeing to walk around so freely without everyone jumping to attention and bowing or curtseying. I was going to keep this disguise for the future, in case I wanted to sneak out so I could be alone.
Someone walked into me, sending the water jugs clashing to the ground. Panic widened my stare when I saw it was Corbin.
Fortunately, one of the housekeepers was nearby. “Clumsy girl. Apologize to Lord Corbin.”
I had never called him that. He was only allowed the title because he was the eldest son of a lord.
Corbin tapped his foot. It had been his fault, not mine.
“Sorry,” I said as softly as I could. I distorted my voice, hoping he wouldn’t recognize it.
He clicked his tongue, then turned on his heel. I breathed relief when he walked away, and the housekeeper snapped, “Clean this up.”
“Right away.” I bowed my head, keeping my features hidden as much as I could.
After picking up the jugs, I rushed to find Adius. I turned left down a narrow hallway and found him leaning against a wall, a foot pressed up against it. Relief flooded his expression when he saw me. I looked down at the empty jugs, feeling a knot in my stomach. Already one thing had gone wrong.
I emerged into a windowless corridor barely big enough for two people to walk down. At least we were alone. His hair looked a pale gold under the light of oil lamp.
“I’ve talked to the guards. The others are waiting for us at the entrance. Leave the tray here. You won’t need it with the jugs empty. I’ll make another excuse for you going down there.”
I nodded, placing the tray on the uneven ground. Our footsteps clicked, echoing as we reached a large, bolt-studded wooden door. On either side of it were two guards wearing the same red uniforms as Adius, without the medals.
“Are Rodney, Christian, and Jameson already here?” he asked the balding man.
He shook his head. “Not yet, we’ll send ’em down when we see ’em.” The guard looked at me, tilting his head. “Why’s she here?”
“She’ll be coming to help clean up, should we go a little for questioning.” He winked, and the guard laughed.
“Go get ’em,” he said. “You show those treasonist bastards.”
“Will do.”
I walked behind Adius, then jumped when the same guard slapped my behind. My eyes widened, and fury balled my fists.
Adius looked back, then growled under breath. “Killian!”
“What? She’s got a nice ass.”
I gritted my teeth, turning red. “That doesn’t mean you can grab it.”
