Page 36 of A Tale of Treachery

“Are you all right?” Aiden asked, his brow furrowed as he noticed the subtle shake of my hand and the shift in my demeanor.

“Yes.” I didn’t need to look to find out who they were.

Women of The Order of Umbra.

I thought they’d all died the night the soldiers had come to collect. I thought Malachi and I were the only ones to survive. I knew on some instinctive level who was in the cage but was too scared to look.

I shut my eyes and counted to ten beneath my breath, hoping that when they opened, the cage would be gone, that the women would’ve been a figment of my imagination. But when I opened my eyes and turned to the cage, there they were, plain as day, waving at me as if they were happy to see my face.

My old friends: Aisling, Aine, and Aife, three sisters from my childhood.

I didn’t wave back. I couldn’t, so I pretended not to know them. It broke my heart to see them here, of all places. They were supposed to be dead, and the fact that they were alive was bewildering. Too much to handle.

They went quiet when I didn’t respond and refused to look at them. The betrayal they felt colored the air around us, and my mouth tilted downward.

I didn’t say anything as the soldiers dragged them to the dungeons and pretended to not hear them protest at being manhandled.

“They called you Duana...do you know them?” Aiden questioned, moving closer to me so no one could overhear.

“No, I don’t know them,” I answered.

“They waved to you. They know you,” he argued, lightly grasping me as he pulled me close to whisper in my ear. “I told you that you could tell me anything.”

He was never one to miss critical information.

I drew away from his touch and glowered. “It’s of no concern.”

Aiden crossed his arms and blinked. “I’m your prince, and if I demand answers, you will give them to me.”

When I flinched at his tone of voice, his expression softened. He reached out to touch me, but I drew away.

“Aiden, please. Can we discuss this later?” I begged, too exhausted to handle whatever was going on between the two of us. My mind was on the women in the cages.

He looked as if he wanted to argue, but quickly glanced around, realizing it wasn’t the time or place. He nodded, moving closer as if to kiss me goodbye, but I dodged him by placing a hand on his chest.

Things between us were moving too quickly, and I needed time to breathe and think. So much was happening all at once.

I smiled softly at him, not really feeling it. “We’re fine, Aiden. I just need a moment to myself. I’ll see you soon.”

His eyes lowered as I walked away and left him behind. He knew I was lying. He knew we were the furthest thing from fine.

I let it go, let the confusing thoughts of him fade away. That situation could be sorted out later because, right now, my main concern was the women.

They needed to be saved.

* * *

I hid awayin the sanctum until nightfall, waiting for the cover of darkness to follow through with my plan.

The stars twinkled above, shining like beacons as I slunk past the palace and through the grounds. I wore black leathers and a head scarf to hide my identity, but if anyone were to take a close look, they’d know it was me.

I reached the dungeon, cursing under my breath upon sighting the two armed guards patrolling the entrance. It had always been possible that the entry would be heavily guarded, but I’d hoped it would be abandoned. Using magic as a distraction was always an option, but it was too risky after what had happened last time.

I wanted to knock the guards out, not destroy the entire kingdom.

So I came prepared with a blow pipe and darts dipped in sleeping potion.

Bringing the pipe to my lips, I blew, sending the dart soaring through the air and directly into its intended target.

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