Page 62 of To Steal the Sun

Charlotte locked it, and the two of them dashed back around to lock the other door while the protesting soldiers were still trying the handle of the locked one.

“There are windows, so I don’t know how long it will keep them,” Henry said.

“Long enough for now.” Charlotte grinned back. “Let’s go and find some others.”

With Henry’s knowledge of the castle and their master key, they managed to pull the same trick on ten different soldiers, strolling away each time to the sound of shouts and curses.

Charlotte grinned up at Henry. “Is it terrible that this has been kind of fun?”

The thrill of being chased was both terrifying and exhilarating, and if it wasn’t for the exhaustion setting in to her legs, she could have gone on much longer. She glanced out a window, noting the lowering sun. They had passed several other rebel groups in the last few hours, even rescuing one as they were being escorted back toward the guard barracks. She hadn’t seen Gwen or Easton or any of the servants, though. The rebels had purposely been trying to keep the guards away from the section of the palace that included the throne room.

Were the wedding preparations finished? Had the ceremony started? She wished she could be there to see her friend married, but she knew her role was too important to worry about being a guest.

Thought of guests made her wonder how the arriving wedding guests had gone. Had any of them spotted a rebel group being chased by royal guards? Had some of the guards been available to guide guests in? She hoped some of the intended guests had made it through the chaos to be the witnesses Gwen and Easton needed.

“Do you think it’s—” she started to say to Henry, but a figure jumped out behind him, making her words falter.

Before he could respond to her horrified expression, the enormous guard had his arms around Henry from behind, pinning his arms to his side and holding a knife to his throat.

A sneering courtier stepped out from the shadows, another guard at his side.

“Shall I restrain her, Lord Rafferty?” the second guard asked, looking toward Charlotte.

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” he said in an oily voice that sent a shiver up her spine. “I think she’ll be most well-behaved.” He looked toward Henry and smiled again.

Henry shook his head, but even that small movement made the knife tip prick his skin. Charlotte gasped.

“Don’t listen to him,” Henry choked out before his captor tightened his grip.

“All I want from you is that key in your pocket,” Lord Rafferty said. “I can’t find the captain of the guard, but I know you have a master key. Don’t bother trying to deny it. I just watched that neat little trick you pulled. If you want this fellow here to live, hand it over now.”

Charlotte’s mind moved faster than seemed possible, heightened by the danger to Henry and all their plans. If this lord was after the key, he must know or guess where the queen was. But she couldn’t just stand by and watch Henry be killed.

She glanced again at the window. The sun was even lower. Soon it would be kissing the horizon. She had to trust they had held out long enough.

“Fine.” She drew the word out, keeping her expression downcast and fearful. Slowly she plunged her hand into her pocket and drew it out. But as Lord Rafferty reached for it, she flicked her arm back and then whipped it forward, sending the key sailing over his head and down the corridor.

He cursed, and the second guard raced after it. But Charlotte’s eyes were on Henry. As the guard holding him turned to watch the hunt for the key, Henry’s eyes flickered down to the man’s left arm.

Charlotte jumped at him, biting hard into his left arm. The man screamed and pulled it away, shaking her off. But the second he loosened his grip, Henry’s own left arm broke free, snapping up and pulling the wrist holding the knife away from his throat.

The whole thing took only a second, and Henry was free. A line of red dribbled down his neck, but he brushed it away, appearing unharmed in any serious manner. He kicked the guard in the shin, and when he shouted and doubled over, he punched him hard in the stomach. The man went down, winded, and Henry took Charlotte’s hand.

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, they ran.

“Never mind them!” she heard the lord screaming behind them. “We have the key. That’s all that matters.”

“Should we try to get down there first?” Charlotte gasped out between panting breaths. “Try to stop them?” But when she glanced back, four more guards ran up to join them.

“I think it’s too late for that,” Henry said.

Charlotte nodded. “I just hope we managed to give them enough time. Should we head to the throne room in case Gwen and Easton need help?”

“Actually,” Henry said. “If the queen is about to be free, I think there’s somewhere else we need to be.”

GWEN

As people poured out of the basement prison, the captive servants turned toward Gwen’s familiar face. Alma and Miriam pushed to the front of the group, and Gwen could have cried to see the smiles on their faces. She had been afraid they would resent her after her request had exposed them to the queen.

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