A Soul for Trouble (34 page)

“Why are you doing this? Are you trying to become some kind of hero?”

“He’s plotting to take the crown, Kell,” she answered, despite the blade pressed against the place where her pulse throbbed. “He’s trading me in exchange for the king’s death.”

“That’s quite enough from you,” Larenis growled, and a new line of red appeared on the side of her cheek.

Anger seared his veins. His baser instincts wanted to tear Gandor and Larenis into shreds and feed them to the dogs, but he had to be careful not to hurt Arden in the process. “This is your last warning, Gandor. Let her go. Don’t become a pawn in Sulaino’s game.”

“Like you’ve become a pawn in your little witch’s? I think not.” He swung his sword at him, following it with a counter-swing of the torch.

Kell jumped to the side. Two breezes tickled his skin from where they fanned the air, first cool from the blade and then warm from the flames. He lunged toward his brother, not caring if he killed him.

Gandor caught his blade between his sword and the torch and tossed him to the side. Kell hit a wet patch and slid into the cavern wall. Stars bloomed on the fringes of his vision. The clang of metal behind let him know one of the others had stepped into his place, buying him enough time to get to his feet before attacking again.

Larenis used Arden as a shield against Ortono. “I’ll have you executed for failure to obey orders,” he told Ortono.

“I answer to the prince, not you.” The young soldier’s eyes darted from side to side, looking for a weak point without harming her. His sword remained poised as he slowly forced his captain against the wall.

Bynn’s grunt pulled Kell away from Arden and back to the other fight. His friend grimaced as he strained to keep his face from being singed by the torch. Bloodlust clouded his vision. He sprang toward his brother. Gravel crunched under his feet. Gandor turned just in time to avoid his strike. Kell swerved to the side to prevent hitting Bynn. Frustration knotted his shoulders, and he cursed his lack of sleep for slowing his reflexes.

The clank of metal and an ear-piercing scream halted them. His blood turned to ice, and he shivered when he turned in its direction. Steam rose from Larenis’ face where Arden pressed her hands against it. The thick hum of magic pulsed through the cavern, seeping into his soul.

The scent of burning flesh made Kell gag.

“It’s time you knew the fury of a witch,” Arden said in a low, cold voice. When she released him, two blackened handprints marred his cheeks. Larenis stumbled to the ground and continued to wail in agony.

Then she spun around and faced him, kicking away the chains that once bound her wrists.

For a brief second, he understood why people feared witches. The green halo in her eyes flashed, and her expression hardened, making her appear like she was something other than human. She became a goddess of vengeance. An ominous feeling hung in the air around them as they all waited for her strike. White light glowed from her fingertips. “You’ll pay for what you did to Dev.”

A bolt of magic ripped through the room and connected with Gandor’s chest. He flew across the room and hit the stone wall of the cavern with a crunch. His eyes widened, and a strangled cry escaped his lips before he slumped to the floor.

A gust of wind blew away the remnants of the magic, leaving a panting Arden in its wake.

Her eyes widened when she surveyed the damage. Her hands trembled. Blood trickled down her cheek and dripped on her shoulder, but she made no effort to staunch the bleeding. Was she even aware of what she did?

Kell took a step toward her, but she backed away. “Arden, it’s all right,” he said as he coaxed her toward him. “You’re safe now.”

Something small clattered to the floor near where she stood. A sob choked her words. She whirled around and ran into the tunnel leading back to the dungeon.

He started after her, but his feet remained planted to the ground. As much as he loathed his brother, he didn’t want him dead from a witch’s spell, especially when he wanted to get Arden out of Trivinus alive. “Is he breathing?”

An ashen-faced Bynn knelt next to Gandor, checking for a pulse. “Yes, but I’m sure he’s got a few broken bones.”

He didn’t need to ask if Larenis was still alive. The incomprehensible blubbers that came from the opposite side of the cavern told him the captain of the guard still lived, although he’d probably be scarred for the rest of his life. “Ortono, Bynn, take them up to my father and explain what happened.”

Bynn jumped to his feet. “If we tell him the whole truth, she’ll burn.” A lump formed in his throat. Up until this moment, she’d only used her magic to help others. Now, she’d unleashed her wrath against the captain of the guard and the First Prince of Ranello. To pardon her could lead to a major upheaval in the order of things. He swallowed past the lump and pushed it down until it sank into his stomach like a brick. “They both deserved what they got.”

The hardness in his voice frightened him almost as much as his intense fear for her. A dull ache formed in his chest when he realized the only way she was going to survive this was if he let her go. He had to sneak her out now before his father changed his mind and before Sulaino’s undead army swarmed the city. He picked up the small key that she’d dropped. “I’m going after Arden. I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“A few hours?” Bynn let the unconscious Gandor flop back to the floor in an undignified heap. “What the hell are you planning now?”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “I’m going to rescue the damsel in distress.” He grabbed a torch and ran down the tunnel to the dungeon.

Chapter 35

Arden tripped over a stray rock and went sprawling across the damp stone floor of the tunnel. Pebbles dug into her palms and chin, but she ignored the stinging pain that came with them. Her mind focused on one goal—to get back to Dev. Maybe if the Lady Moon smiled on her, he’d still be alive, and she’d be able to heal him.

Her lungs burned from running and the sobs that tried to force their way to the surface.

She refused to cry. Tears wouldn’t solve anything. Action would.

“Keeping going, my little Soulbearer. You’re almost there.”
She picked herself off the ground and began sprinting. Darkness obscured her path, but she felt as though something other than her eyes guided her through the twists and turns.

“Turn left and you should see the first torches at the edge of the dungeon.”
She followed Loku’s direction and quickened her pace when she spied the faint orange glow reflecting off the wet walls. Her heart pounded.
Please let him still be alive.

She ran along the line of cells, peeking through the small slats until she found the right one. She tugged on the door, then shouted in frustration when she found it locked. Magic flooded her fingertips and blew the door off its hinges.

“Your magic grows more impressive with each passing second.”

“Shut up, Loku.”
She crossed the room in a few steps and cupped Dev’s cheeks in her hands. His clammy skin sent a chill down her spine, turned her stomach into knots. “Dev?” A faint groan answered her, and she finally let her tears fall.
Thank the goddess!
She reached up to unhook his chain and lower him to the floor, silently cursing the fact that she’d dropped the key to the manacles back in the cavern. His eyes remained closed, the sound of death rattling his breath. Sticky blood coated his tunic and gathered in a puddle at their feet.

“Hang on, Dev. I’m not going to let you go this easily.” She pulled him close to her and pressed her ear against his chest, focusing on the faint thumps of his heart. Every fiber of her being pulsated with magic as she directed it toward his wounds. A strange emotion glowed within her.

She doubled her efforts to heal him. She wouldn’t let him die until she drained all her magic into him. Images of the damaged organs filled her mind. A bright white light shone from the holes in them, becoming smaller and smaller as they knitted closed. It was working.

The magic began to ebb as though the well containing it had run empty, and only a trickle flowed from the cracks.
Please let this be enough
.

A pair of arms wrapped around her to answer her prayer, and the steady beat of Dev’s heart vibrated through his chest. “Shh, Arden. I’m here.” Sobs wracked her body when she heard his voice, and he tightened his embrace. She hadn’t lost Dev. He was alive, and she was safe in his arms once again. Giddy elation made her head swim, and laughter mixed with her weeping.

“Sweet Lady Moon,” Kell gasped behind them. “Dev, are you…” His words trailed off before he finished his question.

“I’m fine now because of her.” His voice sounded raw, and she dared to lift her eyes to see him. Just as she saw in her room that one morning, a myriad of emotions swirled in the dark green depths of his eyes. Awe slackened the normally sharp contours of his face. He traced the wound on her cheek. “You’re hurt.”

“Just a few scratches. Nothing compared to what Gandor did to you.”

“I’ll rip his heart out for this.”

“Actually, Larenis did that to her.” Kell knelt beside them and pulled one of Dev’s hands off her. A click of a lock echoed through the cell. One of the manacles fell to the ground. “I’m glad I picked this up when you dropped it.”

So was she. Numbness filled her fingers, making them clumsier than usual. The magic had leeched all her energy. She leaned against Dev and closed her eyes while Kell removed the chains.

“Where are they?” Dev asked.

“Bynn and Ortono are taking them upstairs to my father.” A faint breath tickled the back of her neck. “Arden, are you well enough to travel?”

Travel? All she wanted to do was fall asleep right here.

“She will be,” Dev answered for her. Warmth radiated from his hands and chased away some of her fatigue. The pain in her arm vanished, and she sighed. “Better?” She nodded her head, too tired to thank him for healing her in return.

“Let’s get out of here while we still have time.” Kell wrapped one arm around her back and pulled her to her feet with Dev. “Sulaino said he’d attack if we didn’t hand her over by midnight, and I want you as far away from here as possible before then.” His plan managed to snap her out of the sleepiness that threatened to overwhelm her.

“What?”

Kell half led, half carried her out of the cell. “One of the tunnels leads to the front wall of the city, but there’s another that goes under the river. If I can get you there, you should be halfway to Boznac before Sulaino realizes you’re missing.” Her legs stiffened, and she jerked to a stop. Something had changed.

“He no longer wants you as his weapon, my little Soulbearer.”
Her chest tightened. She hadn’t expected this from him. “You’re helping us escape?” He simply nodded.

Before she could ask another question, Dev spoke. “I’ll need to be better armed, then, if I want to get her safely to Boznac.”

“There should be your choice of weapons in the main guard room. I’ll start leading Arden down the tunnel. Meet us there when you’re done.”

The world seemed to be turned upside-down. Dev jogged into another room like he was in the prime of health. Never mind he’d nearly bled to death minutes before. Her own legs barely cooperated with her, and Kell was leading her to a place where she’d be free. She shook her head, trying to make sense of it all.

“You tend to do that sometimes.”

“Do what?”

“Make men question themselves and change the course of their lives.”
She almost laughed. Instead, she leaned closer to Kell and drew comfort from the subtle smell of bay leaf that rose with his own scent. So different than Dev, but just as familiar. Her mind mulled over everything that had happened in the last day. How could he have gone from trying to seduce her to helping her bruised and battered body out of a dungeon?

He cleared his throat. “Cinder’s healing remarkably quickly. Is he magical, too?” She halted again. “Is he well enough to come with us?” The thought of moving to a strange land without her beloved wolf almost made her want to start crying again.
Damn, I
need to pull myself together and stop acting like an over-emotional child.

“You’ve been through a lot. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
A sensation of someone hugging her filled her with warmth and comforted her.

“Not yet. I’ll keep him with me until I can return him to you.” She turned and searched his face, looking for some sort of clue in his transformation. Last night, he’d acted like she betrayed him by not wanting to fight. “Why are you doing this, Kell?”

He sucked in a breath through his teeth. His face revealed his inner turmoil, tightening one minute, then going blank the next. “Arden, I—” He stopped, glanced at the floor, and licked his lips. When he looked back at her, he tried again. “That is, I—” Again, he struggled to find the right words. He pulled her into his arms and crushed his lips against hers.

His kiss wasn’t like any of his previous ones. It seemed raw, gritty, demanding. When she gasped in response to it, his tongue filled her mouth, pleading with her to allow him this moment to express his feelings for her. She yielded, and the rhythm of the kiss changed. It grew more tender, almost sad, as if he hated saying goodbye to her but knew it had to be done.

Each stroke of his tongue and lips spoke of his desperation and told her that his heart was breaking.

Something in his kiss frightened her more than the threat of the necromancer waiting outside the city walls for her. Kell really did care for her. Maybe even loved her. But she knew her heart belonged to someone else. Someone who would never show her this type of intense emotion. Someone who valued duty above everything else.

A moan came from the depths of his throat, and he finally withdrew. He held her face in his hands, wiped the moisture from it. “Please don’t make this any harder than it already is.”

“Kell, I’m sorry.”

He shushed her and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Right now, the only thing that matters to me is getting you out of here alive. I’ll deal with Sulaino, and I promise I’ll find you if I survive.”