Page 56 of If The Crown Fits
I looked at him in dismay. “I’m cruel when I have no other choice. You are cruel because you like to see others suffer.”
“You really do think the worst of me, don’t you?”
“You have given me nothing to prove otherwise.”
“All in good time.” He leaned back in his chair again. “Now go.” Lance gestured with his cup. “I believe you have work to do.”
I left the table without another word.
Chapter 14
The Cellar of Woodsbrook Manor
Cai
I woke up damp and cold, the stone floor beneath me causing aches all over my body. My eyes took a few moments to adjust to the dimly lit room and it was only then I discovered that I wasn’t in a room at all, but in a cell.
“Well, well, well.” I heard Lance’s voice from somewhere in the dark.
Metal clanged and the cell gate swung open before Lance stepped into the light.
“If it isn’t the Prince of Norrandale.”
I was dressed in my shirt, trousers and boots, as I remember falling asleep in, on my bed. My hand went for the small knife I kept hidden in the inside lining of my riding boots. “Don’t bother,” Lance said. “My guards have disarmed you. There is no use in fighting anyway.” He muttered the last part, but I heard every word clearly.
“Where are my men?” I stood up, my fists clenching.
Lance leaned against the opposite wall. “Look, you and I can do this the easy way or the hard way. I don’t know about you, but I much prefer the easy way.”
“Where is she?” I took a step towards him and immediately his guards approached the cell, but Lance waved a hand.
“My sister will be completely safe as long as you do exactly as I say.”
“I know she’s not Princess Eloisa.”
He shifted his head slightly, his eyes searching for something. “You’re right,” he admitted. “How long have you known?” He didn’t seem very fazed that I had discovered the truth.
“Since our arrival at the manor.”
“Interesting.”
“What do you want?” I asked, though I had more than a few ideas what his answer would be.
“You know exactly what I want, Prince of Norrandale.” He stood up straight. “I thought I knew where it was, but I underestimated your wit, and as it turns out, I was wrong. Now I want you to tell me exactly where the jewel is.”
I scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re a believer of mythical stories as well.”
“It is not a myth!” He raised his voice. “I know it exists.”
Lance didn’t give me time to question how he came by this knowledge. . “We visited your family when the two of us were still children, remember? You and I had a pretend sword fight in one of the training rings.”
I did remember. We must have been about twelve years old. I gazed at the man who could perhaps have been my friend, had it not been for the feud between our families. That,andLance’s more than questionable character.
“I know that precious stone is somewhere in the mountains of Norrandale. I know it contains magic and I know you have one of the jewels with you. So I suggest you tell me where it is, sooner rather than later,” he warned.
“Even if it were true...” I stepped towards him. “What makes you think that I’ll ever tell you?”
“The hard way it is, then.” And with that, he launched a blow to my face. I didn’t wait for another one before I hit back, causing his lip to split and a small stream of blood to pour out.
