Page 53 of Kingdom of Locks

And with that he turned away, speaking again with the senior soldier. Amell could only stare at his friend’s back, trying to grasp the reality that Furn had almost just died as a result of the prince’s determination to be part of the action.

One of the soldiers rode back to the main contingent, and before long others arrived and began to assist with restraining the prisoners and assisting the wounded.

“You fought well, Your Highness,” the senior soldier from the scouting group told Amell. “It was a good instinct to protect the enchanters.”

Amell smiled in acknowledgment, but his thoughts were troubled. He had an uncomfortable feeling the soldier was just pandering to him because of his status. He might have saved the enchanter, but it had almost cost Furn his life. And furthermore, Amell’s very presence had invited further attack from the prisoners.

He thought back to his realization earlier that day about how his recklessness might cost Honeysuckle her chance at freedom. He’d flattered himself that he was learning to be sensible, but then he’d immediately chased adventure again, this time endangering his most faithful friend.

“Furn,” he said quietly, as they rode back toward the prison, with the rest of the group. “I don’t think I said thank you, did I?”

“No need to thank me, Your Highness,” Furn said cheerfully. “I’m just doing my job.”

“There’s every need,” Amell contradicted him. “You might see it as simply your job, but to me, you’re not just a guard, you’re a friend.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” said Furn, clearly taken aback. “If I may say so, I feel the same way. And it’s my honor to protect you.”

Amell nodded, his thoughts still too troubled for further speech. When they reached the prison, and he had to listen to the captain giving his father a glowing report of his performance, he could hardly keep from wincing. Never had his heroics seemed more foolish, or the responsibility of his position weighed more heavily on him.

“Well, Amell,” said King Bern, sounding a little surprised by his son’s apparent prowess. “You’ve seen some action after all. There’s a contingent heading back to Fernford tomorrow, to swap out with reinforcements. I daresay you’ll want to take the tale of your daring back to the castle.”

“What?” Amell demanded, speaking up at last. “Return home? No Father, I want to stay and see this crisis out.”

“I see,” said the king, again sounding surprised. “I’m glad to hear you’re committed to the task. You may stay for the moment. I won’t be heading back for another day at least.”

Amell nodded, a flash of guilt shooting over him at his father’s misconception. It wasn’t the prison break he was determined to see through. It was Honeysuckle’s plight. But it wasn’t as though he was hiding the truth from his father out of rebellion. He wanted to tell her predicament to anyone and everyone, but he wasn’t free to do so.

He was free to keep his promise to return to the tower, however. As he eased himself into his bedroll in the camp, he resolved to do just that as soon as he could slip away the following morning.

Chapter Twelve

“Checking the window every two minutes won’t make him come any faster.” Mama Gail’s voice was skeptical. “If he’s coming at all, that is.”

“He’s coming,” said Aurelia firmly. Then she sighed. “Who am I kidding, I have no idea if he’s coming. But I hope he is.” She turned pleading eyes to her mother, who was pruning a rather aggressive devil’s ivy that was taking over one corner. “He seemed so sincere. Hesworehe was coming back today.”

“Well, then, his honor is on the line, isn’t it?” Mama Gail replied calmly. “If he doesn’t come, we’ll know his word can’t be trusted.”

“Yes, true,” Aurelia agreed, tapping her fingers on the windowsill. “But if he does come…imagine the possibilities, Mama Gail! He just came right in, as if Cyfrin’s enchantment didn’t exist. What if he can help us get out of here?”

“Then I’ll be forever grateful to him,” said Mama Gail.

But her voice was clipped, and Aurelia knew she was feeling tense from the reminder of just how much she’d missed. Her alarm at discovering that a stranger had actually entered the tower and Aurelia hadn’t woken her had almost rivaled her fear over the idea of Aurelia being alone with Cyfrin.

“You said you told him I was here?” Mama Gail asked suddenly.

Aurelia nodded.

“And why exactly was it that he didn’t want you to wake me?”

“That’s not at all how it was, Mama Gail,” Aurelia explained patiently. “He suggested we wake you, and I’m the one who said no.”

“But why?” her mother demanded.

Aurelia turned fully to face her. “To be frank, Mama Gail, because I’d never had a single experience without you in my entire life, and it seemed like a rare opportunity.”

Her mother was silent for a moment. Aurelia half expected her to be hurt, but she just sighed. “Well, that’s actually quite understandable,” she acknowledged, a little begrudgingly.

“If it helps, he looked very relieved when he learned I wasn’t trapped up here alone,” Aurelia added.

---