Page 39 of Shadows of Ruin

I released my hold on Corbin. “Kalliah, it will be okay,” I tried to shout, but it came out as a wheeze. “Be strong for Lan.”

“Shut up. I liked you better when you were unconscious.” Corbin sneered again. “Might I recommend the soup? One of your personal favorites. Perhaps that tongue of yours will burn so we won’t have to listen to your nonsense anymore. Perhaps it will help you to remember who our true leader is.”

Corbin turned on his heel and didn’t spare me a second glance as the footsteps receded down the hall.

With the temporary rush of adrenaline gone, my shoulders dropped. I stumbled and collapsed to the ground. How had things gotten to this point? Where the fuck was Lana?

Wallowing would do me no good. Rotting in this cell would not be the way I died. I needed my strength if I had any hope of fighting back. Even if it came in small packages like these pathetic excuses for meals, if one could even call them that.

I reached for the tray, holding a single cup of soup. The container released no steam, which made my stomach turn, thinking about eating it cold. The likelihood I could keep this down was a longshot.

Fates, there was nothing I hated more than vegetable soup. That asshole knew that too.

Vegetable soup.

I frowned, pausing.

Fucking. Vegetable. Soup.

Corbin knew I hated it more than life itself. Hell, we provided vegetable soup at all of the Hidden Henchman drops, just to try to get it out of the palace walls. Often joking about how we would rather battle a strox than eat another bite.

Without hesitation, I grabbed the bowl off the tray and sure enough, there was something underneath. A small slip of paper.

I immediately grabbed it and put it in my pocket, knowingI only had a few more minutes before the guards returned to collect the tray.

I gulped down the soup as fast as I could, holding my nose and reminding myself to be thankful for any sustenance. My healing magic worked faster after a meal.

Just as I finished chewing on the last chunk of potato, the guards returned and collected the tray. Laughing at the mess I had made down my shirt.

I didn’t care.

Once the final door slammed shut for the evening, I pulled the paper from my pocket.

My eyes widened as I read its contents.

“HH not here. Plans might not be our strong suit, but trust us. Be ready.”

I couldn’t help the smile teasing across my lips.

My friends hadn’t abandoned me. Or Lan.

Iwasgoing to escape. Then I’d bring Andras to his knees for ever daring to think he had power over us.

Sleep came easily that evening, knowing I needed as much rest as possible. An excited energy thrummed in my veins, like I’d so often felt when plotting Hidden Henchman drops. Purpose drove me forward in all things.

A whisper in the night pulled me from my slumber.

“Ian, darling.”

My eyes flew open at the voice that shouldn’t be down here. Fear and disbelief collided inside of me, my body instantly on high alert.

“Your Majesty?” I rose, finding movement less challenging than it had been earlier. Whether through my resolve or forcing that Fates-awful food down, my abilities were finally returning to their normal state.

I bowed as soon as I got to my feet.

“Stop that right away. Come here,” she beckoned, reaching her hand toward me through the bars.

Her cold touch surprised me, and I wrapped my other hand around hers to try to help warm the queen. “It’s not safe for you down here.” I kept my voice low, just as she had.

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