Page 30 of A Petal in the Crown

Gray'sstomach twisted into knots and he ran a hand through his chestnut hair, unsure if it was a good or bad sign that she hadn't been seen. He paused, examining the girls. They were trembling, clinging to one another as if afraid he was just as wicked as his father and brother.

“Do you support Alaric’s cause?” Gray asked. “Any of you?” He met each girl's eyes, lifting his chin as if daring them to lie.

“No!” The eldest girl swallowed. “Like I said, this is our home. We had nowhere else to go.”

“Very well,” said Lea, confirming that they were telling the truth. She sheathed her sword.

Gray sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Exhaustion weighed down his movements. They were getting nowhere, still had no clue as to the whereabouts of his brother. “You may stay,” Gray said, and the girl relaxed, sagging into Emma's arms.

“Thank you,” she said. “We’ll do anything we can to help. We can keep cleaning—”

Gray held up a hand, stopping her. “For now, rest. Then maybe you can begin to prepare some food. Find Elise. She’s likely in the kitchens already. It's been some time since we've had a proper meal, and many more will be arriving to eat soon.”

“Of course,” she said, allowing Emma to lead her from the room. They seemed familiar with one another, and Gray realized it was likely they had worked together before the rebels had left. Guilt gnawed at his gut as he realized how young and unprepared for war they were. Could he have done something to get them out? But he shook away the thought. Guilt wouldn’t help them find Alaric or change the past.

He turned to Erik with a curt nod. “Have our men clear the debris. There should be enough rooms between the barracks and both wings to house our armies. We’ll set up base camp here.”

“On it,” Erik said, turning on his heelto leave.

“Thomas,” Gray said. “We’ll need more weapons.”

“Of course,” Thomas said, dipping his chin.

Gray finally turned back to Lea, and his tone softened. “You should rest,” he said, his thumbs tracing the dark circles below her eyes.

But Lea's jaw clenched. “I don't need rest," she said. “Show me to the king’s dungeons. I have a bargain to fulfill.”

Chapter 19

Erik

The main dungeon had never been so full. At least, not to Erik's knowledge. Sure, there had been times over the years when the cells were doubled—tripled, even. But those occasions had beennothinglike this. Each cell contained at least fifteen men, packed so tightly he wasn’t sure they would be able to lie down to sleep.

At least three hundred royal soldiers were crammed into the stuffy, windowless chamber. Three hundred men pleading for Erik to let them go, begging on their knees for mercy. The ones who could manage to get to their knees, at least.

“They haven't stopped since my men rounded them up. Each one of them claims they had no choice, that they want to join our side,” Tanad said, coming to stand by Erik.

“Of course they’re saying that now,” Erik said, crossing his arms as his eyes skipped across the prisoners. He didn’t know exactly what he was looking for, though he did know who. It had been on his mind ever since Janelle had told him about her past. Had been hanging over his head and heavy on his shoulders every moment of every day.

Erik wondered if he would know the bastard when he saw him. If he’d be able to identify the man who had hurt Janelle.

“We took their weapons,” Tanad said, mistaking Erik’s reason for his attention on the prisoners. But, even though he had countless things he should be doing, including ensuring the prisoners were unarmed and safely behind bars, he wasn’t here on official business. Certainly wasn’t here to make sure they had been properly disarmed.

“Don’t trust a word they say,” Erik told Tanad, lifting his chin. “None of them are to be released without Gray’s orders.” Tanad nodded, likely already coming to that conclusion on his own. It probably went without saying, but these were the men who hadn’t been deemed worthy of joining the rebellion. So loyal to the king and Alaric that they’d known it was either a lost cause or an unnecessary risk to try to sway them.

Erik and Gray would have to discuss how to handle these prisoners, now that they’d taken back control of Auropera. He was certain that many of them did despise Alaric, especially after he had abandoned them in a ruined castle with no guidance or protection. But there were too many variables to simply let these prisoners pledge their allegiance to the cause and trust that they wouldn't turn on them once the time was right.

“Thank you for handling it,” Erik said.

“Of course. Shall we reconvene with Gray to determine our next steps?” Tanad asked.

“Soon,” Erik said. “I have something rather important I must see to first.”

Tanad leaned back, narrowing his eyes, but he didn't say a word. With a knowing look and a nod, he left, and Erik followed behind, making sure the door was firmly shut behind him.

A buzz of magic brushed against Erik’s neck, pulling his head toward the door, and all sound from outside the dungeons suddenly ceased. As if sensing whatever Erik was planning was likely private, and possibly loud, Tanad seemed to have placed an enchantment to block out whatever screams would come of what he was planning to do next.

Erik couldn’t help but smile. He’d always liked that guy.

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