Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)(86)

I sort through Enat’s pouch and find the leaves, grind them between my fingers, and then drop the pieces into the liquid. I have no idea if I used the right amount. For all I know, too little might not do the trick and too much could kill me. I pray it works. It’s the only way to get out of this dungeon.

“Where will I wake?”

“There’s an area at the far end of the dungeon where the corpses are placed until the bearers come. They’ll put you there. I would have the guards take you elsewhere, but that would be suspicious. I promise I won’t let the bearers take you away.”

“Yes. I don’t want to be buried alive. Will you be there when I wake?” The words jitter from my cracked lips.

“I’ll check on you and try my best to be there. If I’m not, I’ll make sure the dungeon master’s keep just beyond the dungeon door is open so you can grab your belongings. Once you’re in the courtyard, find the north hall. It’ll take you right to the high lord’s study.”

“You’re sure it’ll be clear?”

Leif reaches out and takes my hand. The warmth of his fingers is such a contrast to the dank, chilly dungeon. “I’ll make sure of it. Even if I have to create a diversion.”

All I can do is nod.

Clearly, I’d be a fool not to acknowledge the many possibilities in which this plan could fail. But in the short time left before the war begins—?before Cohen realizes I’m not at our tree and is then possibly caught and hanged for murder—?this is the only plan I have. Regardless of the risks, it’s what I must do for Cohen and myself. And for Enat and Papa.

“Thank you.” I push the words out past the hard lump in the back of my throat.

The bitter brew lodges in the back of my mouth, and it takes gagging to get it all down. Leif’s eyes are pinned to me, studying my face as if the effects will take place instantaneously. I open my mouth to tell him to stop staring when the metal bars blur before me.

“I think it’s work—” My lips fumble over the words that catch on my tongue. The cell’s bars spin around me. I shut my eyes and fall under the tea’s hold.



I should be grateful for the dungeon odor. The moment it burns my nostrils, I’m certain I’m alive. Hopefully the plan has worked and the dungeon master has fallen for the ruse. An uncontrollable shiver works through me, dragging me the rest of the way from sleep. I move to stretch when my hand hits something cold and solid.

Eyes wide open, I take in my surroundings. Beside me, partially covered in muslin, the corpse of a man is surrounded by the smell of death. I bite my lip and scurry away. Yep, the plan worked.

Only the small crack of daylight coming from the door at the top of the stairs provides light in which to orient myself. I’m in the dungeon, but not in a cell. I rise on unsteady legs. Where’s Leif? What should I do now?

I consider waiting and immediately ignore the notion. The corpse stinks. The dungeon master could return at any time. Or the body bearers may come. Down here there’s no way of knowing what time it is. Or how long I slept. I have to act now.

The blaze of daylight beyond the dungeon is nearly blinding. I squint and blink and then slip into an adjacent door of the dungeon master’s keep that’s been left ajar, wherein I find Papa’s dagger. Holding the handle once again gives me a push of confidence.

As my eyes accept the light, I scan the courtyard. A group of men stand a dozen paces away, with their backs toward me, shouting and jeering at a commotion. A glimpse of auburn tells me Leif is in the middle of the action. Perhaps this is his distraction.

It’s time to move.

Adrenaline pumps through my limbs as I dart across the corner of the courtyard from the dungeon door to the stairwell that will take me to the north hall, praying no one will see me. I scurry beneath the arcading and stumble into the door that leads to the stairwell. The brew isn’t entirely out of my system. It makes my legs hard to command. Luckily, the stairwell is empty, stirring a little remorse for having doubted Leif. Taking the steps as fast as I can manage, I enter the north hall in no time.

The corridor is long and marked with more than a dozen doors that I recognize from my time here before. Though the hall is vacant, my steps stay light and soundless, only pausing once to allow time for my tea-fogged head to clear. When my fingers are wrapped around the high lord’s shiny doorknob and no guards are in sight, I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

I’ve made it all the way here. Unseen.

Now all I have to do is convince Lord Jamis of the captain’s guilt.

I crack open the door and slip inside.





Chapter

39


“SEIZE HER.”

Captain Omar’s icy command stokes a blaze of adrenaline in me, enough to shake off more of the tea’s haze. His glare is sharpened with shock and fury. No doubt he thought me dead. I scramble back and pull my dagger from my boot. I turn to go back out the door when two guards rush to my side. I cannot give up now. As I rise, my elbow lifts up and slams into one guard’s nose. He grunts and I punch again, hearing a crack of bone. The second guard reaches for me, but the point of my dagger slows his advance.

With his blade unsheathed, his slashing moves are swifter than I’ve the energy to combat. I’m still too foggy to think clearly enough to fend him off. Stinging heat zips down my arm. The bludger’s cut me. Beads of blood break out across my skin as I trip back for space. Our fight has turned me around so I’m in the middle of Lord Jamis’s study.