Page 37 of Cages and Crowns
We find the stables and enter. It’s dark, with only a small bit of moonlight to guide us. The moon has risen, and I silently plead for it not to be too late.
“What if we are too late?” I whisper as we slowly cross through the door leading to the horses. Each wall is lined with stalls, hay crunching under our feet. Only soft huffing and chewing fills our ears as we keep moving.
“We can’t be. We didn’t come all the way here for her to die. This can’t be for nothing—” A sharp squeal causes me to gasp as I run straight into someone. My dagger is out and poised, ready to strike, but I freeze as I take in the pale face in front of me.
Hair that reminds me flames, of burning embers. Green eyes so bright they could rival Enzo’s, shine in the moonlight. Her cloak is tattered, her skin sullen and dirty.
“Who are you?” She whispers, her voice hoarse.
“Who areyou?” Enzo counters, stepping up beside me.
“Are you here for her?” She asks, tilting her head to the side as she glances back and forth between us. I hesitate, but nod once and her face relaxes. “You have to hurry. She’s unlocked, but she refuses to leave. I unchained her, but shesaid she can’t leave until he’s dead. She’s weak, she won’t survive.” Her voice comes out in a rushed panic, as if she’s genuinely worried about her.
“Why are you telling us this?” I ask, skepticism coating my tongue.
“She saved my son, and in a way, she savedmefrom a life she is currently enduring. She needs help.” She stares at me, her emerald eyes burning through mine. “Go through the double doors, there are no guards. The first room on your left is the council room. You can access the dungeon through there.” She pushes between us, walking towards one of the horses. It’s black, its coat glowing against the moonlight.
“Where are you going?” Enzo asks as she pats the horse’s head.
“To live a better life.” She unlatches the stall and pulls the giant mare out. “Tell her thank you. And tell her I took her horse, that I will give her a good life.” She gives us a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes as she leads the horse out through the back, leaving us.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The Caged
Ican hear him coming. His leather boots slapping the stone of the stairs. He’s not quiet. He never is.
“Did you miss me, my love?” He calls out from the stairs, his voice echoing around me. My fingertips dig into my palms, splitting the skin with my broken nails. I’m unlocked, untethered. All I need is for him to come closer.
The door creaks as he pushes it the rest of the way open. He inhales deep and slow as he walks up the table. He doesn’t react, or he doesn’t notice, that I am free. I am unconstrained.
His fingers brush my lips before they travel down my neck and in between my breasts.
“It’s been a long day, my Ela. I missed you.” He leans down, his lips pressing to mine. He tastes like whiskey. Cedar and ash mixing with the caramel notes of the alcohol, flooding my senses. My fingers tingle as hepulls away. They ache to reach out, ache to touch him.
Ache to drive this scalpel through his temple.
Nylah left it on the table after she escaped. Left it within reach. I have been holding it in my hand for what feels like an hour now.
Waiting.
He steps away, rattling to my right tells me he’s digging for instruments.
I wait.
I have all the time in the world. He steps back up to me, something cold running down my thigh. I don’t feel it, really. I’m numb.
Numb to pain. Numb to emotion.
I am just ready. Ready for the end.
“Do you want to know what I was doing today, Ela?” Silence. “I was preparing our armies. They will be shipping out soon, they’ll cross the sea to Labisa. Their country is defenseless without their king. So I’m going to give them a new one.” The blade presses into my skin, slicing it open.
But I don’t react. I don’t feel it.
“Will you be going with them?” The blade lifts. “Will I?”
“You would enjoy being tethered to my bed for the days it takes to travel, wouldn’t you?” I can hear him smiling, hear him picture it.
