Page 9 of The Rising Wave

Ava gave a solemn nod. “Sorry. The Commander's plan.” She handed the apple back.

Luc took another bite, and then yawned.

“What time are we escaping?”

“Not tonight,” she said. She hadn't missed the stiff way he held himself, or the way some of his cuts had begun to seep through his bandages.

He tilted his head. “If the opportunity arises, take it. I will find the strength to keep up.”

She stared at him, then gave a nod. “There will be an opportunity tomorrow at mealtime. If you aren't ready by then, you must tell me. Better to try the day after than try and fail tomorrow.”

“Better to go as soon as possible than wait for them to come for me or you.”

She conceded his point with a nod. It was always on her mind, that any delay left her at risk of something worse than another day in the cell.

“I could have gone today,” she reminded him.

“I thank you for your generous heart.” He spoke formally, bowing his head.

Flustered, she stood and set the plate back on the small desk.

The window high on the wall above her bed was guarded by bars and it faced out of the castle, onto the forest side.

They had only a few minutes of light left.

She could only hope it was the last sunset she would ever see from this cell.

Chapter 2

She should have gone yesterday when she had the chance.

Ava stared with dread at the small entourage that filled the annex in front of her cell door.

They had come mid morning, around the time Banyon usually brought some bread and water for her.

They were here for Luc.

He had risen to a crouch from his blanket on the floor at the sound of footsteps approaching, and she slid down the door, out of sight of prying eyes, and gestured for him to lie down.

He stared at her for a long beat, and then lowered himself, curling in, as if he was in pain, eyes closed.

Ava slid to the side, then stood, walking to the far corner of her cell and wedging herself into it, as if trying to get as far from Luc as she could.

There was the rattle of a key at the door and then it banged open.

Luc didn't flinch, as she did, even though she'd known it was coming.

His control was spectacular, and then she remembered he'd been a Chosen for maybe as much as ten years, and she knew how hard he had come by that control.

“Princess.” Juni sneered at her, huddled in her corner. “What are you doing all the way over there?”

She said nothing.

“He been like this all night?” Garmand asked Banyon, who was standing behind them again.

Ava could see two other guards as well, lower in rank than Juni and Garmand, and obviously here to help control Luc.

“He hasn't moved.” Banyon leaned into the cell to look. “I got Ava to bandage him, seeing as you said he had to live.”

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