Page 13 of Brighter Than Gold

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Lazio’s men took shifts sleeping, so that at least one man was always watching over the inn. The men had removed all of the bedroom doors except for their leader’s, so no one could sneak out of a window unnoticed. Nyx and I rested together on the floor next to the bed where Silva and Briar slept. She’d jolted awake several times during the night and wailed for more wine until she could doze off again. Nyx stroked my hair as I cried quietly into a blanket, angry for my new friend.

After what seemed like an eternity, daylight crept in through the windows and illuminated in finer detail, the horrors of the night before. Bodies still littered the floor, blood and food soaking into the smooth wooden planks. Callan sat in the doorway of our room, claiming nothing more than a headache after he’d woken. It was excruciatingly silent. Far removed from the piercing shrieks from hours before.

Callan rose quickly to his feet as we heard the only door in the inn open, and Lazio trotted down the stairs and into the main room. The bastard actually looked cheerful and well rested.

A few people stirred as the man sauntered about before picking up a large piece of bread and tearing off a bite. He looked down at Callan and cocked his head, walking over and sitting atop a table near him.

“Well, that’s interesting,” he said pointing the bread at Nyx and I. “So youwillshare your wife, just not with my men?”

I tensed, feeling suddenly uneasy for being next to Nyx and not Callan. Of course it would look ridiculous to Lazio.

Callan clenched his jaw. “He is her brother.”

Lazio chuckled. “That makes it even more fucked up.”

The general ignored him.

“Bet you’re regretting leaving those pretty palace walls now, eh? We’ve had a lot of run-ins with your boys over the years. Pains in my ass. Never had one in my camp before though.” He smiled victoriously. “From defector to enemy of the people in one fell swoop, you dishonorable shit!” Lazio laughed. “I wager you might actually have a bit of fun with us. Mind you,” he said shoving more bread into his mouth. “There will be eyes on you for a long time, and if I hear any of my men suspect you, I’ll take it out onher.”

The venom in his voice made the hairs on my neck stand. Lazio’s method of torture wasn’t hurting the person who’d crossed him, that wasn’t evil enough. He would hurt anyone you’d ever loved, and made sure you lived long enough to watch. He wouldn’t target Callan, he would target me.

“We made a deal, you stick to your end, and I’ll stick to mine,” Callan uttered.

Lazio smirked. “Bullshit. You swore an oath to the Realm and you turned tail and ran. I wouldn’t expect any better from you.”

“What do you want me to tell you, then?”

“Nothing! There will come a time where you will show me that you’re capable of keeping your word. Until that time comes, you’ll be watched like a fucking hawk.” Lazio tossed the rest of the bread on the floor and walked towards the kitchen.

“Why go through all the trouble of keeping me around then?” Callan called out to him. “Sounds fucking exhausting.”

“I’ve never had a palace soldier before. You’re a shiny new toy and I want to play with you until I decided if I’m going to keep you. And to hold you in line, I’m going to dangle your pretty young wife in front of my men until I make up my mind about you.” Lazio smiled as he sauntered away.

A blood curdling scream made me jolt as Aurelia peered out of the bedroom to see her father’s mangled body laying still on the floor. My heart broke for her.

The girl’s mother raced up the stairs, holding her as they both fell to their knees crying.

“Well, now that the alarm has sounded,” Lazio said, coming around the kitchen corner and pulling a cork from a wine bottle with his teeth. “Pack your shit you filthy rats, we leave in ten.”

Lazio’s men immediately roused. They started packing their meagre belongings and going from person to person stripping them of any jewellery or coins.

Callan stood and pulled Nyx to his feet, disappearing into the corner of our room.

“You have to get the women back to the palace. I don’t care how you do it, beg, borrow, steal, you get to the palace, and you raise the alarm. Do you understand me?”

“I…”

“Do you understand me?” Callan growled, his eyes spearing into Nyx.

“Yes. Yes, I understand,” he said with a quick nod.

“My best guess is that Lazio will lead his men farther east, the towns are smaller, less protected. But I can’t be sure. Nyx—”

Nyx steeled his voice as he stared back at Callan. “Reyah is the only thing I love in this world. I will do anything to get help.” He glanced over to me, and I felt all the love and trust that had built between us. I knew he could do this. Callan nodded and turned back to me.

“Get whatever you can comfortably carry,” he told me. I stared back at him with fresh tears in my eyes as I feared whatever this new day would bring.

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