Page 105 of The Assassin's Dancer
“If you break out of these chains one more time, I’ll break your fucking jaw.” A boot slams into my stomach, doubling me over.
I can’t help myself. A smirk touches my cheek as I lift my head, spitting blood on his boots. “Go ahead. I’ve felt butterflies hit harder than you.”
The guard growls, but his buddy catches his wrist before he can deliver another punch. “The prince said not to kill him,” he warns in a low voice.
I can barely see their faces. There’s no real light in here – only a sliver of moonlight cutting through the high window and a few candles in the hallway beyond the bars. But I can tell that they’re getting tired. It’s been an hour since Orion had me thrown in here, and I’ve already broken out twice. Of course, thanks to these arseholes, I’ve been caught during both attempts, but third time’s the charm, right?
I can see from the nervous sweat on their brows that they know I’m not giving up any time soon.
I’m coming, Ruby.
“He told us to get him a comfortable cell,” the first guard grunts. “Didn’t say anything about keeping him alive in it.”
“Ah, but if I’m dead, how can I enjoy Sol’s finest suite?” A rat scuttles past my boots, disappearing into the clump of damp hay I’ve been generously provided as a bed.
The cell is barely larger than a shoebox, with chains hanging from the walls and bones littering the dark floor. Not that I mind Sol’s lack of tidying. I’ll be gone within an hour. Just need these idiots to go back to their card games.
“He needs to be kept alive for the princess’s sake,” the other guard says. My smile drops. “While he’s alive, she’ll do anything to keep it that way.”
“Her pussy’s that good, huh?”
“It better be for the trouble he’s putting us through. Shit, sleeping with Amaryllis better be like fucking a goddess.”
The metal cuffs dig into my wrists as a snarl builds in my throat. “Say her name again and I’ll carve out your tongue.”
“Easy there, pretty boy,” the first guard laughs. “We might not kill you, but he didn’t say anything about ruining that nice face of yours.”
“Do you think if we bruise him up a bit, the princess will find someone else to fuck behind Orion’s back?”
My lips press into a hard line.
“Probably. They’re all whores, really – all the princesses. Have you seen the way Dahlia throws herself at the guards?”
“Is that the one with the nice arse?”
“No. That’s Blossom.”
I shouldn’t react. Chest tight, I keep my breaths measured despite the anger pulsing in my fists. These metal cuffs may as well be paper, but I can’t break them again. Not until the guards leave, and?—
The first guard shoots me a filthy wink. “Amaryllis has a nice arse too.”
That’s it. My cuffs snap into pieces, and I swing at the nearest guard. With an awful crack, his face collides with my knuckles.
“Bastard got my eye!” he shrieks.
I don’t give him a chance to fight back. Roaring, I kick him to the ground, then whip around to find his partner – only to freeze. The tip of his sword pokes into my chest.
“Don’t move,” the guard snarls. He’s taller than his buddy, but far uglier. He’d already be a dead heap on the ground if I had my weapons with me. Unfortunately, they’re out in the hall and I’m stuck in here with Ugly and Whiny.
“What are you waiting for? Stab him!” Whiny cries.
“We can’t, you idiot. Orion’ll kill us.” Ugly presses the sword harder against my skin until I’m backed against the wall. Blood seeps through my shirt, but it looks worse than it is. The guard barely scratched me. “We’ll have to use the stronger cuffs. And bind his feet too.”
“Fucking bastard.” Whiny keeps one hand against his face while the other fumbles through the darkness. I could run, but with the sword against my chest I doubt I’d get very far. That’s not to mention that Whiny has a sword too, along with the countless other guards patrolling the dungeon.
Fuck.I need my daggers.
Eventually, I hear the sound of heavy chains dragging towards me, and they’re clicked around my wrists and ankles while Ugly keeps his sword against my chest.
