Fireblood (17 page)

“I think I’ve had enough for today,” I say. “I’ll see myself back to the castle.”

“No.” He strides over to his horse and takes the reins. “You will not. I’m sorry, princess, but I’m still your guard.” He walks Fireblood toward the stable, and says over his shoulder, “Be here when I return.”

I watch him open the stable door and take his horse inside. I have half a mind to leave right now. Just storm off. How angry would he be finding me gone when he returns? But I don’t want to be the immature one. He is right, as he’s still responsible for me. My insides quiver, and I want to
scream
.

Why does it matter to him whether I care for Sebastian or not? Or have fallen in love with him, as he put it. How can you even fall for someone in a few days? And again, why is it any of his concern? I don’t think a first knight’s duty is meddling in his prince’s love life.

He has yet to tell me his side of the story between them. I wonder if, deep down, he still views Sebastian as his friend and is worried I’m all wrong for the prince. Still, if that were the case, wouldn’t he be making his complaint to Sebastian instead of harassing me?

After a long while where I’ve lost track of the minutes, he finally returns. The sun is nearly gone, evening is darkening the sky, and I’ve woven so many possibilities into my head I can barely think straight.

We walk in silence back toward the castle, passing knights as they leave the training grounds. I had plans to watch Sebastian’s last jousting practice, as today ends the training period before the tournament. But I didn’t want to deal with Cecily and the other ladies, nor did I wish to watch Sebastian bloody another knight with his version of sport.

“Do you require a change of clothes before supper?” Devlan asks from behind me.

I shake my head, taking my time responding. “Nay. I’ll have my supper sent up with Madity.” The idea of sitting and smiling with the court nobles tonight is exhausting. I’d rather have her company alone.

Devlan clears his throat. “Then I’ll inform the prince you’re tired from your lesson.”

I march through the long corridor toward my room, not caring if Devlan is still behind me or not. When I reach my door, I go to pull down the handle, but Devlan places his hand over mine.

“Wait,” he says.

I turn to him, doing as he asked. Waiting.

He runs his hand through his hair and exhales audibly. “I didn’t mean to upset you, princess.” He shifts his weight from foot to foot. “You’re right. Your relationship with Prince Sebastian is none of my concern. I only wished to gain the truth.”

“But why?” I ask. “And why have you been so evasive today? And last night…” My words trail off as I recall the cool look he gave me in the garden, and something occurs to me. Could Devlan be jealous? I nearly laugh out loud, and immediately dismiss the notion. Someone who is continually put off by a person would not have the slightest romantic inclination for them.

His eyes are hard on me as he looks me over. I feel the weight of his heavy thoughts bearing down on me, as if his eyes could reveal too many secrets all at once.

Finally, he says, “Trust your instincts, princess.” He cups my shoulders, and the heat of his body presses in on me, tempting me to step closer to that warmth. “Again, I apologize for my intrusiveness. Whatever you decide, I will always support you. And I will always protect you.” He releases me and backs away. Then he bows.

I open my mouth, unsure of what to say. Before I can utter a word, he turns on his heel and marches down the hallway. As I watch him go, I shake my head, trying to clear my muddled thoughts. Before stepping into my chamber, I glance once more down the corridor.

Devlan is at the end of the hallway, his hand braced against the wall, talking into his communicator. I quickly dip inside my room and peek around the wall. He slams his hand into the stone and backs away, looks down each hallway, and says something into his device. Then he puts it into his vest and stalks off at a fast pace.

This time, I decide I’m not too tired to discover what’s going on. I know Devlan has many secrets and, as he said to me, I plan to discover them.

I silently close my chamber door and briskly walk down the corridor after him. Tonight, I will find out at least one.

FIFTEEN

I’
m relieved my riding shoes have thick padded soles. I easily slink along the corridors, my footsteps light, making little sound as I search for Devlan.

I saw him turn left down the hallway toward the back of the castle. I know I did, but now I’ve lost him. I look between the two corridors once I reach the open hall. Each passage is long, leading to either wing of the castle, and I could roam for hours before discovering I took the wrong one.

Damn it
.

Avoiding knights, maids, and the courtiers of the castle is taxing. Finally, I decide to take the right. If nothing else, I’ll explore and learn my way around here. Or get lost, and have to call Devlan on the communicator and look like an idiot.

The torches cast creepy shadows along the corridor, and I walk for what feels like forever before finally reaching the end of the hallway. There’s only one way to take: back the way I came. It’s a dead end. Rooms along this end of the wing are empty, I suppose used for guests, but there is no one here.

I’m two seconds from turning around, ready to end my search, when I hear muffled voices. I freeze, straining to hear which room they’re coming from. But they don’t drift from a room. They’re coming from behind the wall—the dead end.

I place my hands to the stone. It’s cold and solid. A cool draft blows across my ankles, and I follow the chill air to the corner of the corridor. I press my hands along the crevice, feeling stupid. Then, something clicks, and the corner swings in, revealing a dark passage.

My heart hammers in my ears, and apprehension coils tightly around my chest. Devlan might not be here at all. This might be some secret room of the servants, or the Force. I could stumble into something that will get me tossed into the Oubliette or worse.

I consider what I’m about to do—sneak into some hidden chamber where I may learn things I never wanted to know—long and hard.

Curiosity wins out.

Against my better judgment, I force my fear away and take a step inside, beginning my descent. Stairs lead down a dark tunnel and only one torch is lit to guide my path. The voices grow louder the deeper I go. I can hear them, strained, angry. Footsteps pace back and forth.

With each footstep I grow braver until I reach the bottom step. I stop and press my back to the side of the narrow tunnel. Shadows flicker against the wall before me, and from around the corner the voices come clearly now.

A loud
bang
echoes as something slams. “You don’t get to make that call, Larkin.”

My heart constricts. It’s Devlan’s voice, and he’s shouting at the Round Table knight who stormed my home. I should leave now before I’m found out spying on their meeting.

“Devlan,” Larkin says, his voice gravelly. “You said it yourself. You’re not sure where her loyalties lie now.” He pauses a moment. “Her affections for the prince could play out in our favor. We should stick to the original plan.”

I grab my chest and squeeze my bodice. They’re talking about
me
.

Another voice, one I don’t recognize, says, “The original plan is no longer in play, as Micah is no longer the leader.”

“Oh, shut up, Xander,” Larkin says. “We get it. Stop reminding us your precious Fallon is in charge.” He huffs. “Wish I had bedded her. Maybe then I’d get to call some shots around here.”

“You fucking bastard,” the guy growls. There’s a hard
smack
, and shouting among all three breaks out.

“You hit me!” Larkin accuses. “You asshole. You’ve been here all of what…two days? And you think you can come in and change everything? Devlan should’ve never demoted your ass to footman. He should’ve thrown you out. Actually, I should just finish out my orders.” He laughs hollowly. “You were a sorry excuse for a knight of the Force, anyway.”

“What’s wrong, Larkin?” Xander asks. “Scared I’ll tie you to a tree and leave you there this time? Or that my girlfriend will kick your ass again?”

“Shut.
Up
,” Devlan shouts. “Both of you.”

“You’re not the commander anymore, Devlan.” Larkin chuckles mockingly. “And your first knight status doesn’t mean you get to call the shots, either.” A beat. “Why are you even here, Xander? Really?”

It’s silent a moment before Xander answers. “I have my reasons.”

There’s a long pause, and I hear Devlan’s footsteps pace again. His movements are shadows cast on the tunnel wall before me, shaky in the wavering torchlight. “I need to go to the camp. There’s something I need to discuss with Fallon.”

“That’s too dangerous,” the guy—Xander—says. “We have to be cautious.”

“I don’t care,” Devlan says. “It’s important to assess new information before I proceed.”

“I say we off her tonight,” Larkin says. I slap my hand over my mouth. “If what you say is true, Devlan, that will weigh heavily in our favor. That is the mission, remember?” He pauses. “To get closer, gain access to Excalibur. Or are you a coward now?”

“The mission, Larkin,” Devlan says, frustration lacing his voice, “was to wait until after the wedding.”

Oh, my God. No, no, no
.

I stumble back, and my backside hits the stone steps hard.

“This meeting is over for now,” Xander says. “Before you get too carried away, Larkin, Devlan and I will find a way to meet with Fallon.”

Their footsteps quicken and I panic. They’re moving toward the tunnel. As quietly as I can, my limbs shaking, I climb the stairs. I reach the secret door but before I push through, I glance over my shoulder making sure I’m clear—

—and meet Devlan’s eyes.

We stare at each other, his eyes wide, my breath struggling past my lips. He turns toward the other knights. “You two take the back way,” he says. “We need to make sure both are clear.” Then he races up the steps.

I don’t think.

I run.

Whatever their plan, whatever reason I’m to be killed, doesn’t matter. He knows I know, and he’s coming for me.

He’s going to kill me
.

“Zara!” Devlan calls out.

I barrel down the hallway and round the corner into the back hall. He’s fast. I know he is. He’s going to catch me.

I don’t stop, and I don’t look behind me. I have no idea where I’m going to go, but I need to get away. It comes to me quickly. My chamber. I turn into the hallway leading to my room and run faster, my legs pumping. My dress tangles between my legs and I grab it up, forcing it above my thighs as I ignore the aching burn in my calves.

His footfalls sound closer, but I don’t turn to look. As I come up on my room, his arms wrap around my waist and pull me to a stop. His hand clamps over my mouth, muffling the scream I barely work through my stinging throat. I kick and struggle as he hauls me inside my room.

“Stop,” he pants into my ear. “Please, Zara. Just listen.”

I twist and push against him, but his hold on me is solid. I could do this all night and he’d kill me eventually. I fall limp in his arms. I need him to release me so I can get away. I nod against his hand.

He takes in a deep breath. “I’m going to release you. Don’t scream.” He removes his hand from over my mouth, then drops his arms. “Sit down.”

The hell I will
.

I quickly scan my room. My choice is made. I’m getting out of here. For all I know, Sebastian is part of this sadistic plan. I can’t trust any of them. My father was right. Something is very, very wrong here, and I have to get out.

I turn and knee him in the groin. Hard. He drops to his knees. “You really
don’t
know me, Devlan.”

I race over to my desk while Devlan is still holding himself and pick up my wooden chair. It’s heavy, but I’m able to lift it high enough to get leverage, then I drop it on his head. He hits the floor face first. I scramble to the ground, reach inside his vest pocket, and yank out his keychain. I stand and kick him in the head for good measure.

Cursing myself for not having packed a bag, I grab the only things of importance: a pair of sturdier shoes and my father’s dagger. I strap the leather sheath around my thigh, slam the dagger into it, and fly through the doorway.

I hurriedly move down the corridor toward the atrium. It’s the closest way out, and on the side of the castle nearest the stable. When I reach the glass door, I slide the giant rusted key into the lock, the same way I’ve seen Devlan do many times. I don’t have time to worry about the Eyes. I have to get
out
.

Dim lanterns sway in the breeze, barely lighting my way. Once I reach the stable fence, I climb over the railing and run toward the door. It’s eerily quiet. Fear prickles my skin, and my hand shakes as I bring the key ring out. I push the key into the lock and turn. The latch opens and I stare at the dial pad.
Will Sebastian’s code work with Devlan’s key?

I close my eyes and bounce up and down, thinking. If I put in his code and it triggers some kind of alarm, I’m done. I’m seconds away from taking off on foot when I realize I don’t have anything to lose. Devlan has probably already gathered the Force to hunt me down.

I hit the numbers.

The green beam shoots out the top of the door. I nearly collapse as relief floods me. The door slides open and I hurry inside. I don’t have to pause and think about which horse to take.

A horse with determination to match my own.

I unlatch the gate to Fireblood. I don’t waste time with the saddle, but I climb the gate to work the bit into her giant jaws and fix the bridle, then jump on top of her, legs straddling either side. My legs squeeze her sides as I pull the reins. She takes a few steps back, unsure of my command, but then she snorts and walks toward the open door.

As we head toward the gate, I curse. I should have opened it before I went into the stable. I stop her right next to the fence and dismount, sloppily, falling to my knees. I scramble up to the gate and yank the latch open. Climbing to the top railing to mount Fireblood once more, I look up and spot Devlan. He’s running at full speed toward the stable fence.