By order of His Majestys personal guard Lady Seraphina Vale is to be transferred to the Emperors private dungeon immediately.
Private dungeon. Those two words just didnt fit right. Emperor private dungeon. My brain kept stumbling over them like I missed a step on the stairs.
Soren was standing behind these new guards all smiles like hed been waiting for that exact moment to hit me.
Did you think you were negotiating he murmured with people who keep an Emperor locked up.
I jerked hard against the chains and the cuffs dug right into my wrists.
Youre lying I snapped but it came out sounding so weak even to me.
Soren didnt look offended at all. He just seemed pleased like hed won something.
Am I he said. Go see for yourself.
One of those gold and red guards yanked me right out of the carriage rough enough to make my teeth rattle.
My boots slammed down on stone and I stumbled forward the chains clinking so loud it flipped my stomach.
I hated that clinking sound more than anything.
There was this guard leader older guy with a scar on his cheek and he wasnt looking at Soren with any respect. More like Soren was just some annoyance he had to put up with.
Enough talking the guard leader said.
Soren smiled anyway. Captain.
The captains eyes narrowed. Dont call me that.
Oh. So they werent friends. That felt good in a way. But also bad because enemies can still team up when they both want you gone.
The captain snapped at his men move and they shoved me ahead.
We werent heading to the public halls or even the usual prison areas. Side doors locked ones doors I never even knew were there.
And I grew up in the capital so this had to be pretty deep in.
My wrists were burning from the cuffs but I tried keeping my head up because if I looked down Id see my knees scraping stone again and Id start shaking like a fool.
I was already shaking a little.
Soren trailed behind us not too close I couldnt reach to bite him this time. Coward.
He talked casual like we were chatting about nothing. She swallowed something he told the captain you might want the physician.
The captain didnt even glance his way. We will handle the prisoner he said.
Soren laughed quiet. Sure handle her.
I twisted my head back and spat youre the physicians dog.
Soren clicked his tongue. Dont be dramatic he said dogs get fed you.
Silence the captain cut in finally looking at Soren or I gag you too.
Soren blinked then smiled and shut up.
I watched the captains profile his jaw tight uniform all imperial but plain no extra ribbons or show just clean and he looked tired like he hated being there too.
That didnt mean hed help though. Just that hed probably kill me without the smile.
We hit a staircase going down not the big grand ones but a narrow one hidden behind some carved panel.
Two guards unlocked another door at the bottom and cold air hit my face wet cold with that stone smell.
My stomach clenched up. Dungeon smell for sure.
One torch flickered then another. It wasnt filthy or full of rats which might have been better. This was clean. Quiet. Like it was built to swallow screams without a trace.
The captain went ahead. Eyes forward he barked.
I tried but my eyes kept sliding to the sides.
Cells. Real ones not those fancy detention rooms for nobles.
Iron bars heavy bolts chains bolted to walls.
And something that made my throat tighten up there were no names anywhere. No records or lists.
This place people didnt come back from I think.
We passed one cell and I heard breathing inside slow and weak.
I turned my head. A figure on the floor white hair.
Old man maybe. He barely moved just breathed.
A guard shoved my shoulder forward.
I stumbled and my heart started pounding hard.
Emperor. No that couldnt be. The real Emperor would have people around him doctors even if sick. Not just stone floor.
Sorens voice came from behind soft and amused. Dont stare its rude.
My blood turned cold. So it was real or at least he wanted me thinking that.
Either way they got what they wanted. I was scared.
But fear wasnt useless. Hands chained mouth still free for now.
I turned toward the captain. I will confess I said fast and loud my voice hoarse to His Majesty.
The captain kept walking no reaction.
Soren chuckled. Shes persistent.
I will confess I repeated sharper but only to the Emperors face.
The captain stopped then turned to look at me straight on.
His eyes flat. His Majesty is unwell he said.
Then let me speak anyway I snapped if hes unwell he needs to know hes being.
Careful the captain cut in.
Used I finished quieter pushing the word out.
He stared like he was figuring if I was crazy or just trouble.
Sorens voice slipped in. Shes dangerous he said light poisoners usually are.
I whipped around. I didnt.
Stop the captain barked and we both froze because his voice had that real command in it not some noble fake.
He stepped closer to me. Lady Vale he said low you are not here to make requests.
I clenched my jaw wanted to scream or fight but I breathed instead.
My lord captain I said shaking but trying to keep it together I have information about forged orders about the Chamberlain.
The captains eyes narrowed.
Soren laughed. Shes bargaining.
Im trying to live I spat.
The captain glanced at Soren. Leave he said.
Soren blinked. Captain.
I said leave.
Sorens smile got tight. He passed close to me whispering you wont reach him youll reach a blade.
Then he headed back up the stairs like nothing.
The door shut echoing and my stomach dropped because now it was just me these guards and that breathing from the cell.
The captain turned to his men. Put her in Interview Cell Two he ordered.
Interview cell like it was some formal chat.
They shoved me to a door with a slot.
The captain unlocked it himself opened it motioned inside.
I stepped in. Small room stone bench iron ring on wall basin bucket single lamp no window.
I turned and the guards stayed out but the captain came in door shut behind him not locked yet I heard him pause with the key.
He looked at my wrists. At the table he ordered.
No table so I stood dumb then sat on the bench chains rattling.
He locked it click again that sound.
He stayed standing. State your information he said.
My throat tightened. This might be my shot or maybe where they end me.
Soren mentioned the physician cutting it out. The paper strip inside me proof.
Needed to get it out safe but vomiting here hed think poison or fake or call Soren.
Couldnt risk it so next best.
I know the Chamberlains seal orders are forged I said double pressed wax not palace stock.
His eyes narrowed a bit. How do you know.
House Noctens mage confirmed one earlier I said quick before things went bad.
He didnt react to Nocten like palace folks did no flinch just noted it.
And you are engaged to Duke Nocten he said.
It was a contract I snapped I needed protection.
From whom.
I hesitated saying it felt risky like jumping.
From the Crown Prince I said.
His jaw tightened. You accuse His Highness.
I accuse anyone trying to kill me I shot back.
His eyes went to my wrists. Attempted assassination he said and murder of a maid.
Clar. Stomach twisted. That maid was killed to shut her up I said voice cracking they planted my dagger.
Your dagger.
Yes and the search leader Soren he works with the physician.
He stared long then spoke through the slot bring the physician.
My blood froze. No I blurted.
You want an inquiry you get one he said.
Thats not inquiry I hissed thats giving me to them.
The royal physician is also the Emperors physician he said flat.
Is he I whispered.
He just waited calm like time was his.
Mine wasnt. Stomach churning needed to decide fast.
If physician came hed check everything notice the swallow Soren already tipped them.
Theyd cut or force or poison me call it accident.
I pressed hands to stomach like it helped.
Mind racing messy. Needed strip out hidden before he got here.
He watched saw the panic sure.
Swallowed something he said quiet.
I froze.
What did you swallow Lady Vale.
I clenched jaw. If I told maybe help or maybe hed take it.
If not theyd get it cutting anyway.
Hands shaking I decided bitter.
I swallowed proof I whispered.
Proof of what.
Seal forgery I said desperate a log copy something to ruin the Chamberlain.
He stared. Youre either lying or suicidal he said low.
I laughed ugly. Both.
He didnt laugh moved closer. Can you retrieve it.
Stomach flipped. Retrieve like easy.
I can try.
Do it he said right away.
Now.
Yes because he knew physician coming meant over.
Throat tight okay.
Leaned over basin chains clinking shoved finger down.
Gag hit fast choked eyes watering bad.
Gagged again.
He watched no flinch like routine.
Stomach heaved bile first burning.
Gagged harder body shaking something up hot wet.
Retched into basin throat ripped raw.
Then there the tiny rolled strip slick in mess.
Grabbed it shaking almost dropped.
Held it up pathetic wet paper maybe lifesaver.
Give it to me he said.
Stomach dropped no.
If I gave it gone maybe forever.
Fingers tight. I cant I whispered.
His eyes narrowed. If you want help you dont hide the knife.
I dont know you I snapped raw voice youre His Majestys guard but His Majesty on floor in cell.
He flinched tiny.
So he knew.
I clenched. He exhaled controlled. Lady Vale you will not say that again.
So its true I whispered.
Jaw tight no denial.
Hand out. Give it.
Body shaking stared at palm then door.
Boots outside coming.
Time.
If physician saw it in my hand force take maybe hand too.
Swallowed hard new decision not smart but mine.
Tore strip half middle sound small impact big.
His eyes widened bit.
Shoved one half in mouth swallowed fast.
Other half held out shaking. Half you get half if betray only half.
Throat burned stomach churned eyes stung.
He stared then took half slow tucked in coat like hot coal.
Smart he said quiet.
Turned to slot. Delay the physician he barked.
Outside voice confused captain.
Delay sharp.
Footsteps away.
Chest not loose but alive still.
Looked at me. Whats your name I demanded sudden couldnt stand not knowing.
Paused. Captain Kael.
Kael not Chamberlains not smiling.
Okay.
Leaned close low. You want to see His Majesty then do exactly what I say.
Laughed weak. Already chained.
Eyes to cuffs reached pocket key.
Breath caught knelt unlocked one click then other.
Wrists free but skin still felt bound.
Grabbed forearm hard. Listen if scream die if run die if lie die.
Everyone says that I whispered.
Because true he said flat.
Pulled me up legs wobbly.
Where is Cassian I blurted.
Face tightened. Contained.
Alive.
Hesitated that enough stomach drop.
Shoved to door. We move now.
Unlocked corridor empty torches flicker boots far.
Dragged down passed that cell old man shifted cough weak.
Chest clenched almost stopped.
Emperor real on stone like prisoner.
Yanked past. Not now hissed.
Kael I whispered theyre keeping him.
Not now snapped.
Reached door two imperial guards Kael flashed seal they stepped aside.
Inside small chamber curtain low bed not comfy but not cell holding for important maybe.
Shoved in. Wait ordered.
Spun furious terrified. No not waiting not.
Slammed door locked click again.
Breath broke looked around wild no window vent basin.
Splashed water face wiped bile shaking hands throat raw like glass.
Half proof inside half in his coat.
If betray still something if he dies still something.
God this life proof split trust scraps.
Footsteps outside voices.
One familiar smooth smug Soren.
Captain Kael Soren said loud His Highness requests prisoner to physician now.
Kael colder. Denied.
Pause Soren laughed soft. Denied on whose authority.
His Majestys Kael said no hesitate.
Silence then new voice cold Chamberlain.
Open door Captain Kael exceeding station.
Step closer treason Kael replied.
Stomach dropped fight coming use me excuse.
Backed away hands shake.
Soren again pleasant. Very well if not hand her we hand you.
Paper unroll seal press wax sound crawl skin.
Chamberlain official loud by emergency decree Captain Kael arrested conspiracy with traitor Seraphina Vale.
Chest seized.
You cant arrest me Kael said.
I can when His Highness signs Hest answered.
Adrian of course.
Soren soft outside door and Lady Seraphina new charge.
Breath caught.
Attempted regicide Soren said like gift you tried poison Emperor too.
Blood ice.
Regicide no trial no mercy execution.
Outside Kael sword draw metal whisper.
Then Kael shouted Seraphina get ready to run.
Run how locked guards everywhere.
Backed up heart slam eyes scan vent basin curtain bed nothing.
Door shook heavy hit once twice.
Kael yelling steel clang.
Hest cold loud break down take alive if possible.
Alive if possible stomach dropped.
Grabbed basin lifted shaking like weapon pathetic but something.
Door splintered light crack.
Decision stupid absolute if drag for regicide not quiet.
Bite smash scream burn story walls.
Door burst in.