Page 66 of Besotted
Mikkel shook his head. “He says the queen is willing but won’t permit us to see Aurora until we deliver the keys.”
Chester had dismounted and stood by my side. “Then we can’t know for certain if she still lives.”
“Lord Anise assured us of Aurora’s safety and comfort, that the queen intends to hold her until we are able to present her with the keys.”
“We cannot believe anything Lord Anise says,” Pearl called as she strode toward us, her beautiful green eyes flashing with frustration. “The queen is only attempting to lull us into inactivity, thereby buying herself more time.”
Mikkel and Pearl locked gazes, their bodies rigid, tension radiating between them.
“Do you have the weasels?” Pearl directed her question at me.
I nodded, but before I could speak, Mikkel interrupted. “We’ve discussed the matter at length, and even with the weasels, it’s too dangerous. We don’t know if they’ll eliminate all the basilisks.”
“’Tis a chance we have to take,” Pearl stated.
“It’s a chance I’m not willing to take with you.”
Vilmar’s raised brow told me this argument had been ongoing between Mikkel and his bride for some time, that they were both too stubborn to come up with a solution.
“We must attack as soon as possible,” Pearl insisted. “You know as well as I do the queen cannot be trusted.”
“I realize she won’t give us Aurora, not without a fight. But if we hold off another day or two until the contingent arrives from Delsworth, we’ll not only have additional forces, but we’ll be able to see if the weasels indeed slay the basilisks.”
I bent and picked up one of the weasel cages. “We’ll release the weasels under cover of darkness tonight, then I’ll be the one to cross over and test the safety of the ditch.”
Chester retrieved the other two cages. “I’ll go with Kresten.”
“As will I,” Pearl added with haste.
Mikkel scowled. “No.”
“I know the hunting lodge and will be able to guide them to Aurora.”
Mikkel shook his head fiercely. “You need only instruct them on the layout of the complex and they’ll be able to navigate without you.”
“My father made me memorize the details.” Chester’s voice was edged with exasperation. “I need no guide.”
Muttering, Chester stalked away, and Mikkel did likewise in the opposite direction.
Pearl watched her husband retreat, her features taut with frustration. I sensed her angst went deeper than she was revealing. Of course, she wanted to rescue her sister, Ruby. Mikkel had already shared the details about the first failed effort in Kensington, the attempt that had nearly cost them both their lives. But I suspected Pearl blamed herself now for losing Aurora and foiling the plans to confront the queen.
Even so, I understood Mikkel’s caution in not wanting to allow Pearl to go inside the fortress. If she fell into the queen’s clutches as she had previously, our negotiations with the queen would be even more complicated. I knew the pain too well of losing the woman I loved and wouldn’t wish such a fate upon Mikkel.
“Your Highness,” I said with a bow to Pearl, “I vow I shall not leave the lodge without Princess Ruby.”
She stared after Mikkel a moment longer, then nodded at me. “If you make it across the ditch, you must find a way to lower the bridge.”
If I made it across... that would be only the beginning of an impossible task, one I was determined to accomplish. Or die trying.
Chapter
23
Aurora
My body achedand my head pounded. But at least the incessant jostling had ceased. I pried my eyes open to discover I was inside some kind of dwelling.
I sagged with relief at being done with the torturous ride. The previous hours of pain in not only my backside but also my wrists and ankles had become so unbearable that I’d wavered in and out of consciousness until, blessedly, all had turned black.
