Page 51 of The Jester

Eldrion strides back to me, grabs my hand, and drags me towards the door.

Briony mouths, “I’m sorry,” in my direction, but I’m whisked past her before I can ask what she is sorry for.

We have not even reached the staircase that leads to the cells when I hear the screaming.

Chapter Twenty-One

KAYAN

It has to be tonight. We cannot wait any longer. “I heard them talking about moving us,” I whisper quickly. It is late. Everyone is gathered around, but we only have until Briony stops moaning Henrik’s name until we have to stop and resume our positions.

It happens like this every night. As soon as she has deposited Alana with Eldrion, Briony comes here, fucks Henrik, then runs back up in time to take Alana back to her chambers.

“We should do it as soon as he’s back.” I glance at Raine. “You’re sure about this?”

She nods, resting her hands on her stomach. “I am not giving birth in this cell,” she says. “So if I have to fake some contractions to get us out of here. Then, yeah, I’m sure.”

I smile at her, but I can feel Maura’s eyes boring into me like daggers. “It’s too risky,” she says.

“No, it’s not. Henrik is our sole guard. No one else will be in danger. He’ll open the cell, and when he examines Raine, I’ll attack.”

A flurry of voices rise up, and I have to hush them quickly. Most are in agreement. Only a few believe we should wait and be cautious.

“Right now, we know Henrik’s routine. We know this place and its movements. If we’re moved, we could be separated or worse. And next time we might not have just one hapless guard to contend with. We could have more than one.” I pause and turn to Maura. “But as the only elder present, Maura, you have final say. I will not do anything without your blessing.”

Maura sucks in her cheeks. Fury blooms across her cheekbones. “You have made up your mind,” she says. “I won’t pretend I think trying to stop you will do any good.”

“Then you agree?” I ask, my hand twitching in my pocket.

Maura sighs. “I agree.” She answers me with closed eyes, and when I nod at the others to prepare themselves, she leans in close and takes my hand. “I know why you’re doing this, though, Kayan. And I know it has nothing to do with us changing location.”

I hesitate, fiddling with the discarded fishbone I spent the last week fashioning into a sharper point.

She meets my eyes, her lips a thin foreboding line. “You’re doing this for her. Because she wants to rescue us and you don’t want her to be hurt.”

I open my mouth to object. At the same time, my thumb pricks the fishbone and I wince. “Both things can be true.” I take out the bone and deftly unfasten the magic binders from my wrists.

Maura makes a hmm sound in the back of her throat, but clearly chooses not to say anymore because she turns away from me and laces her fingers together as if she’s praying. Perhaps she is, because I’m sure I see her lips twitching. Uttering words of the old tongue to wish us luck and good fortune.

“They’re done,” Pen hisses. He is closest to the door side of the cage and also has a keen sense of hearing. It was him who heard Henrik and the other guard, Bran, talking about moving us.

A few moments later, the door clatters back and Henrik strides back in, adjusting his trousers. There is no sign of Briony, but she will be on her way back to Alana. To wait outside while she and Eldrion... do whatever it is they do in their nightly sessions.

Henrik assesses us carefully, checks we’re all roughly where he left us, then grunts that it’ll be lights out soon and we should be getting some sleep. Right on cue, as he walks away, Raine begins her performance.

First, a wince. Then a shuffling of discomfort. A groan and then, the true stroke of genius, behind her someone throws a splash of water from our ration bottle. By the time Henrik turns around, Raine is clutching her stomach, panting, and begging for help.

“Please,” she says, eyes wide. “It’s too early. The baby isn’t due yet.”

Henrik’s mouth drops open. Still in the flush of his tryst with Briony, he stutters, hesitates, and when Raine starts to double over in pretend waves of pain, runs to the bars.

“Please, help me,” Raine pleads.

“I can’t.” Henrik brushes his hand through his hair. His face is pale and sweaty. “I’m so sorry, I can’t.”

“At least unfasten her chains, so I can deliver the baby.” Maura speaks up, pulling herself to her feet. “I am the only one here with enough experience and I’m not close enough.”

“Tell them what to do.” Henrik waves his hand at those closest to Raine.

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