Page 91 of A Tale of Treachery

My lips turned downward. “Hello,” I said, my voice cracking.

This was somehow my fault. I knew it.

Eulalia turned toward me and elevated her chin, her eyes gleaming. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to free you,” I whispered, slipping the skeleton key into the lock.

The women seemed to be lost for words as the cage door opened with a screech. They flinched at the noise and cautiously rose. A huge exhalation of relief whispered past Eulalia’s lips, and her shoulders relaxed.

Did she think I wouldn’t save her?

The women filed out one by one, heads bowed and faces hidden. They didn’t utter a single word of gratitude. It was clear they still hated me, but Eulalia stopped at the exit and bit her lip, clearly wanting to speak but unable to come up with the words.

“The soldiers are distracted, so you should be able to easily escape. Go to the clearing,” I whispered, squeezing her hand. “There will be someone there to lead you and the rest of the prisoners to safety.”

I didn’t tell her who that someone would be. I didn’t tell her that she would be meeting her mate. But a small smile tilted my lips at the thought.

Her night would only improve from here.

She offered me a sad smile and squeezed my hand back. “Thank you.”

I watched as the women made their way through the dank hallway and slowly climbed the iron stairs of the dungeon, Eulalia trailing behind them to ensure they made it to safety. She looked over her shoulder as the others disappeared into the stairwell. “We are in your debt.”

I smiled softly at her. “You’re not in my debt. You’re my friend, and I did this with zero expectation of being owed. I hope you can forgive me, though,” I implored. “But be safe.”

My heart twisted in my chest as she disappeared around the corner, and I tilted my head back, squeezing my eyes shut.

It was time to follow through on the bargain.

CHAPTER33

Imade my way through the forest, dread tugging at my gut. By the time I reached the clearing, it was already empty, the prisoners gone, mostly likely whisked away to the dragon lands by Fin. I said a little thank-you beneath my breath, grateful in the knowledge that they would all be safe, even if I wasn’t.

I thought about disappearing, running from Ryken and not following through with the bargain, but a sharp sensation kept stabbing my head like needles prickling against my skull, and my arms and legs seemed to move of their own accord. A force beyond my comprehension was urging me to complete the bargain. There was no choice in the matter. The deadline was tonight, and there would be no way out, no matter how hard I wished it were otherwise.

Whether I followed through or not, I was dead. Death often found those who hadn’t fulfilled their bargains, but it might also find me at Ryken’s hands.

I swallowed upon reaching the cave, my throat dry and my heart racing as Ryken stepped out and faced me with a hard jaw. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries as he sized me up. “Show me where the crystal is,” he demanded in a harsh voice that brooked no leeway.

“Follow me.”

I turned with my shoulders slumped and led the way through the trees, Ryken following rapidly behind. A sharp edge of excitement flowed off him along with the nervous anticipation of finding what he’d been searching for. We remained silent as we moved through the forest and ventured into the canyons, following the path of the flowing river.

When we reached the flat plain that held the portal, Ryken tensed, his eyes locked on the swirling gray mass inside. “Is this some kind of joke?” he asked, his jaw clenched. “You know what happens if you don’t fulfill your end of the bargain.”

I sighed and turned to him, my body weary as defeat crowded my entire being. It was now or never. “It’s not a joke. I promised you that I would show you where the crystal is.” I waved my hand in the direction of the portal. “And it’s right there, on the other side.”

“Go get it,” he demanded.

“I can’t do that, Ryken. Your powers are the only thing keeping the otherworld locked away. If you remove them, the world is doomed. The creatures from the otherworld will flood this world, and the first place that will be wiped from the map will be Cambriel. My friends are here. Redmond is here.”

“The bargain,” he reminded me.

I winced, hating what I was about to say. “I said I would show you where the crystal was, not that I would get it for you. If you want it, go get it yourself.”

It wouldn’t be possible. The only person who could cross to the other side was me, but he would try regardless. I braced myself to face his rage and fury as his body pulled taut and his fists clenched, but he didn’t attack or provoke. Instead, he buckled over and released a dark laugh.

My brow furrowed. What was I missing?

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