Page 70 of Besotted
I wasn’t sure if Chester was alive, and I needed to haul him away from the basilisks’ poison and someplace where the air was fresher and he’d have a better chance of reviving. The only direction to go was up since the complex sat atop a mound. The climb was steeper than I’d realized, and in my weakened condition, I struggled to move Chester.
Moments later, Jorg joined my efforts, and together we crawled a dozen paces away from the ditch, dragging Chester with us. There we sprawled out, took off our masks, and gulped in the air that was mostly free of the venomous odors.
Chester didn’t move, and I feared we’d drawn him out too late. After rolling to my side, I pressed my fingers against his neck and checked for a pulse. A slow rhythm told me he was still alive, but barely.
I slid my arms underneath him. “Let’s lift him so he’s sitting.” Jorg aided me, and we were rewarded with a slight groan. I tilted Chester’s head back, hoping to open his airways. Then I slapped at his cheeks, trying to revive him.
He released another low moan and then attempted to drag in a breath.
“Wake up, you big oaf.” I prodded his chest.
This time he coughed and gulped in more air.
Relief rushed over me, clearing my head and giving me renewed energy. I flexed my arms and legs, the numbness from moments ago fading. I had to throw the rock. Though the pit wasn’t safe and we’d nearly died during the crossing, my brothers needed to distract the guards so we could begin our trek farther into the complex.
Earlier in the day, Pearl had drawn the outline of the buildings in the dirt and marked several places we might be able to enter. Most were windows that led into buildings least used at this time of night. Chester added his knowledge to Pearl’s. And together we worked out a plan, allowing us to hunt through the many chambers where the queen might be holding Aurora.
At another grunt, this one louder, Chester pushed himself up. He held his head in his hands. “Have you thrown the rock?” His voice was hoarse and breathless.
“Just about to.”
“What are you waiting for?” he snarled.
“Good to see you’re back to yourself and that the fumes didn’t hurt that sweet nature of yours.”
“Throw it,” he growled.
I couldn’t suppress a grin as I extracted a stone from my pocket. We’d each carried one over, not knowing which of us would live to throw it—or if any of us would. I wanted to throw all three so the courier would know we’d all lived. But we didn’t have the time to spare.
Instead, I chucked the stone in what I hoped was the right direction, praying my strength was sufficient for the rock to reach the other side.
Other than our heavy breathing, the night around us was strangely silent. The complex at the hilltop was too silent, devoid of revelry either from within or without the great hall. Even the usual noises of the nocturnal creatures were absent.
Had the queen’s men discovered our plan to cross the basilisk pit tonight? Were forces even now waiting to trap us?
“Let’s go.” Chester hauled himself to his knees.
“We need to wait for Mikkel and Vilmar to make their move.”
“They will.” Chester was already crawling up the hill. I didn’t know how he had the energy or ability to keep going after almost dying. Though my limbs were yet weak, I moved after him. If he could keep fighting in his condition, I could too. I had to. I had no other choice.
Just as we crested the hill, shouts arose from the drawbridge path, and I breathed out a prayer of gratitude that Mikkel and Vilmar had gained the news and were now doing their part. A moment later, shouts and the slapping of footsteps resounded in the lodge as the soldiers raced through the complex and rallied to fend off the attack.
“Here’s where we split up,” Chester whispered. A few new lights flared above us, adding to those already glowing in a lone window here and there. It was enough that I could now see Jorg and Chester more clearly as well as the outer walls of the stone buildings.
“Remember,” I said, “we cannot leave without Princess Ruby.”
“The young princess isn’t my consideration.” Chester pressed against the wall and slid toward the region of the bedchambers, where he planned to enter through a window.
“I vowed to Princess Pearl I wouldn’t leave without Ruby.”
“Your mistake, not mine.”
My humor at Chester from moments ago dissipated, replaced by annoyance. Sometimes he was too stubborn for his own good. “Then if I find Aurora, you will take her to safety while I ensure Princess Ruby is freed.”
Chester didn’t answer, and I didn’t waste any more time trying to persuade him. He might be stubborn and gruff at times, but I’d witnessed his kindness and goodness underneath. He’d never willingly leave behind someone in need, even if that meant he had to risk his own life—just as he’d done for me and Jorg in the basilisk pit.
I wanted that to be true of me as well. But was I still too selfish? Was that the whole point of my Testing? To strip away everything else so I could ultimately see just how selfish I was? If so, I was learning the lesson well.
