Court of Flame Read online

  Being the King's Consort had meant quite a few things. One of them was knowing how to get in and out of the capital undetected. It was one of the reasons I'd been adamant about going myself. Share a secret with a group of people, and you might as well kiss it goodbye. But I thought Jacob could keep it to himself, considering how tight-lipped he was with everything else.

  In any case, Emberich wasn't the first king with a sense of paranoia. Which meant there were tunnels and back entrances and hidden nooks in unexpected places. I was hoping Emberich wasn't guarding those, if he even knew about them. Sven had ferreted many of them out through sheer persistence during his time under Emberich. Persistence in finding the references to them and in finding the actual locations themselves. He still didn't think he knew about all of them, which was a little crazy.

  I gestured Jacob over to the rock at the base on the other side of the mountain. There was nothing there to indicate anything different about that section, except when you moved to the side, you realized there was a lip.

  Setting my hands against the stone blocking the gap between that lip and the actual mountain, I pushed hard. The rock scraped back, having lain unused for some time. I knew where it was, but we'd never used it. We’d never put any security on it, either.

  "Adding extra security would only draw more attention to it," Sven had explained. "The sentries are enough."

  I'd agreed.

  I only found it now in the dark because I knew where it was. If I'd been searching blind, I sincerely doubted it would have caught my notice even if I had days to comb the area, not in the dark. Jacob followed behind me as we slid in through the narrow gap and up the pitch-black tunnel. I tried not to think about the various insects and rodents that had no doubt encroached on the space since it was not in use. Probably it was better that I couldn't see.

  I just focused on finding secure spots to place my feet as we moved up, the rough terrain not conducive to a leisurely stroll. The one thing I could say about it was that the steepness helped make it shorter than it would have otherwise been. We reached the far end of the tunnel quickly enough, where it spit us out in the graveyard. Specifically, behind a tombstone, the ledge disguising the door.

  Jacob looked around with an interested gaze as we got out.

  "You have to keep this to yourself," I warned him.

  He raised an eyebrow at me.

  "I mean it," I said firmly. "I don't want to be looking out for black-clad mercenaries sneaking in to gather intel or just for the kick of it."

  His lips quirked up in a smile as he nodded.

  "Don't worry. I'll take it to the grave with me," he deadpanned.

  Ha ha. I rolled my eyes, but I knew he would literally keep it to himself until then.

  I scanned the ground for the path that led to the city, finding it easily enough. Stepping onto it, I tried not to think about the last time I'd taken it. I suppressed a shudder. Coming back from the dead wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I had a feeling the experience would never leave me. I still sometimes dreamed about it, or found myself drifting off into vague memories that I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was disconcerting, and I tried not to think too hard about it. It wouldn't accomplish anything. The narrow path took us to the familiar gate, and then we were on a city street.

  We made it. Though the toughest part was yet to come.

  Jacob put a hand on my arm, pulling me back into the shadows as the sound of footsteps hit us. I'd been so focused on the fact that we were actually in the city I hadn't been paying attention. Stupid. That mistake sent a shot of adrenaline through me that woke me right up.

  We both watched as guards walked down the street, talking to each other in low voices. They weren't trying particularly hard to be discreet. Maybe that was the point. At least it made it easier for us to pinpoint where they were.

  We waited a bit longer, and then we traveled again, our feet moving softly on the cobblestone. I wasn't quite as silent as Jacob, but he had a lot more years of sneaking around under his belt than I did. And I wasn't especially hoping to catch up with that experience.

  We couldn't take the gondola up to the top unless we wanted everyone to descend upon us right away, So it took some time to make it up the winding, narrow streets. We passed two more patrol groups. They were equally loud, so it was simple enough to hide in the narrow, dark alleyways.

  But the odd thing was what we didn't pass on our way up. We didn't run into any people from the city, no ordinary citizens at all. That wasn't right. In fact, the whole city had a deserted feel to it, though I saw lights on in apartments and homes, so I knew it wasn't.

  Had Emberich instituted a curfew? When we didn't see anyone in the next ten minutes, I had to conclude that was the case. I didn't like it. Didn't like seeing the city seemingly devoid of life. Even in the middle of the night, it wasn't unusual to see a few people out and about, perhaps for a clandestine meeting, or coming home from a party. Or even just working late.

  It disturbed me to see it under what was, in effect, martial law. This wasn't how we were meant to live. This was supposed to be a bustling city. It hadn't been like this even under Emberich's rule. Was this a taste of what could come if things continued on this path?

  My mood was even grimmer by the time we made it up to the top, to the edge of the palace's section. We stopped in the shadows of a nearby building. Sven wasn't in the palace proper, having been tied up so the whole city would have a good view of him.

  I scanned the area, looking for... There. My eyes lit on the canopy first, my heart giving a heavy thump in my chest. I looked down to the still figure hanging from his arms beneath.

  Sven!

  He was in the shadows, so I couldn't see his face. But even in the dark, I could make out the darker shadows of bruising and the almost black slashes of cuts, drips of dark fluid that had to be blood dried on his skin.

  And he was so still... Too still.

  A quick glance showed there was nobody around him. I made a small sound, taking a step forward. But Jacob yanked me back immediately. I looked over at him, angry, ready to tear into him. He held a finger up to his mouth, not even looking at me.

  "Wait," he said under his breath. "Think. Don't you think this is a little too convenient?"

  I frowned. Forced myself to think as I looked back out.

  No guards.

  No sentries.

  And Sven right there for the taking.

  Jacob was right. If I hadn't been so overwhelmed by the sight of him, I might have realized the same.

  Bait. He looked for all the world like bait. Was this a trap? Was making Sven an example just a way to draw me out? Or was it less targeted than that? Maybe it was simply to draw out any sympathizers that remained in the capital.

  "Three people on watch," Jacob whispered, and then he pointed them out. One was standing near a pillar across from us, his shadow only slightly darker than the darkness around him. Another was on a rooftop catty-corner from him. Still another was on his belly, directly behind the canopy, using a small, decorative wall for cover. They were all watching Sven. And all were armed with bows, the curves of the weapons distinct even in this uncertain light.

  I swallowed. I'd almost blown the whole thing because I couldn't stand to see Sven there like that. I looked at the men again, biting my lip in consternation and frustration.

  Had we made it all this way only to fail at the very end?

  How were we going to free him without alerting everyone?

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Wait here."

  Before I could acknowledge the whispered order, Jacob melted into the night. One moment he was there, and the next he was just gone. I stood there, waiting. There was nothing else I could do. I didn't hear or see anything. Where had he gone?

  My eyes inexorably found themselves back on Sven. He still hung in the manacles, his feet barely reaching the ground. Another way to cause him pain and leave him vulnerable. I couldn't imagine how much his shoulders and arms m
ust hurt from being in that position for so long. The lack of food and sun was also showing, his belly more concave than usual, every one of his ribs visible under his damaged skin. His body was starting to cannibalize itself in an effort to heal.

  Click.

  What was that?

  I looked in the direction the soft sound had come from, holding my breath to hear better. I strained, my eyes trying to pierce the darker shadows. Nothing. I stayed still for a little while longer, but no other sound reached me. I glanced at the men Jacob had spotted. They were all still in position. Where was...?

  "Okay." I jumped as Jacob reappeared next to me. "Got them all."

  "You got them..." I repeated, trailing off. I looked back at the men. Wait. The one near the pillar was lower...sitting? The one on the roof was listing to the right.

  I looked away, swallowing hard. He'd been gone less than fifteen minutes. And he'd killed or at least incapacitated three men in that much time. I didn’t want to know which one it was. I made a mental note to myself—don't get on Jacob's bad side.

  "Come on," Jacob urged, stepping out into the open. "We need to move fast. There's no telling when the next shift change is coming. We need to be out of here well before then."

  He was right, and it was exactly what I needed to hear to get my mind back on track. I put the guards out of my mind—there was no point in dwelling on them. They'd made their choice, hadn't they?

  Jacob was already examining the manacles on Sven's wrists. I had to hold back a gasp as I got a good look at him up close. His torso was a map of pain—bruises, cuts, scabs, dried blood. One of his eyes was swollen shut, his lips cracked, a deep bruise covering almost the entire right side of his face.

  I wanted to kill Emberich with my bare hands.

  Sven stirred as I stepped up to him, raising his head weakly.

  "Shh." I didn't want him to inadvertently make a sound and give us away.

  He frowned, licking his dry lips. "Adara?" he asked, his voice coming out in a harsh croak.

  "Yes," I whispered, carefully cupping the side of his face that looked the least hurt. I didn't want to accidentally cause him more pain.

  The one eye that could open came to full alertness at the sound of my voice.

  "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, pulling at the manacles.

  I winced at the harsh clanking sound as the chains moved.

  "Stay still," I ordered. "You're making too much noise. And we're here to get you out. Jacob?"

  "On it," he muttered from around the tiny penlight he had in his mouth, slim tools in his hands.

  "It's too dangerous. You need to leave," Sven said urgently.

  "We're leaving together," I said firmly, reaching for the small backpack I'd stuffed. I took out a water bottle and a protein bar. "Here—eat. You're going to need your strength."

  I brought the water to his mouth first and he sipped at it carefully. It would be a bad idea to gulp after this much time without. And he couldn't afford to throw any of this up. He got down the protein bar between more sips of water. That was the best we could do for now.

  "Got one," Jacob said quietly.

  I immediately moved forward to hold Sven's arm, helping him lower it carefully as Jacob opened the manacle, his hands holding it steady to minimize the sound.

  "Fuck," Sven hissed, gritting his teeth as we finally got the limb down to his side. His wrist was raw and bruised from holding his weight.

  "Here comes the other one," Jacob muttered.

  I moved in to wrap my arm around Sven's waist, supporting him as Jacob undid the other manacle and helped him lower that arm as well. Sven's face lost what little color he still had in his face, the white marks on either side of his mouth showing exactly how much pain he was in.

  I could strangle Emberich with my bare hands and sleep like a baby afterwards.

  "Tell us when you're good to move," Jacob said, his eyes watchful as he scanned the space around us.

  Sven took a few deep breaths and then nodded, the skin around his eyes easing a little as the pain became more manageable.

  "Let's go," he said, taking a step.

  "Are you sure?" I asked, my arm still around his waist.

  "It will be a lot more painful to be here if someone shows up," he pointed out. "I can power through."

  True. If they caught us, the damage already done to him would probably seem like nothing. The thought had me moving faster.

  Jacob came around to Sven's other side to help support him, and then we moved as quickly as we could, shuffle-walking Sven. He moved his feet, but he wasn't in any shape to run or even walk fast, really. But we managed to make it to some cover again. I breathed a sigh of relief at not being out in the open, though we were far from out of danger as we entered the city.

  We ducked into an alleyway as we heard approaching footsteps. Another group on patrol. I felt much more vulnerable now with Sven to protect. Running wasn't an option.

  Jacob stationed us against a wall, making sure Sven was supported before he stepped a little away from us. I knew he was getting ready to attack if we were found. That would be a last ditch move. It would make too much noise. I held on to Sven, not daring to even breathe.

  The steps approached us.

  They were in full view, close enough that all any of them had to do was turn his head and I knew the dark wouldn't be enough to completely hide us. Jacob was almost at the very edge of the alley, a knife gripped in his hand. I knew if they saw us, they'd be dead. But the group strolled right passed us, so close to Jacob that I saw his hair ruffle a little from the air moving by.

  My shoulders slumped in relief.

  They were obviously bored and not expecting anything out of the ordinary. I stiffened again as I heard the next thing one of them said.

  "When is Emberich going to just kill him already?" one murmured.

  "I don't know...maybe he has a plan for him we don't know about."

  The first one scoffed and said something that didn't sound all that complimentary. I gritted my teeth. Their voices faded as they moved farther away. They deserved whatever fate they met at Emberich's hands. If that first one continued to question him, I was sure he would be found out, and Emberich wouldn't go easy on him.

  We waited another minute to make sure they were far enough away, that they weren't going to double back. Then Jacob backed up from the mouth of the alley and came over to us, taking Sven's other side.

  Time to move again.

  We turned to go through the alley in the other direction, taking a few steps forward. But the end was suddenly blocked as three large men stepped into the opening on the other side, dark menacing shadows that looked larger than life.

  We came to an abrupt halt as Jacob cursed under his breath.

  They were too far us to stop them from raising an alarm, and then all the patrols would be on us.

  That would be it.

  My hands tightened on Sven as I braced myself for it.

  I would fight to the end to protect him.

  It looked like it was going to come to that.

  Chapter Fifteen

  My hand closed over the dagger that Sven had gifted me, tucked under my shirt so the white wouldn't give me away in the dark. Maybe it wasn’t the most practical weapon to have taken with me, but I'd needed the comfort of what it represented. It seemed fitting that I would use it to defend Sven now.

  Sven carefully took his own weight, but pretended to still be leaning on us to give us the element of surprise.

  Jacob shifted his weight next to us, and I knew he was about to move as the three men came closer. We wouldn’t be able to get away, not with Sven in the shape he was. We had to stand our ground.

  I was ready, waiting for them to come closer. But they stopped about ten feet away from us, the one slightly in front of the others holding his hands up in a placating gesture.

  I frowned.

  Why weren't they sounding an alarm? Or attacking?

  Now that t
hey were close enough, I could see them more clearly. Two of them looked almost identical, burly and tall with dark hair, though one had a short beard. The third one was not quite as burly, his hair a lighter tone, though I couldn't quite tell if it was blond or a sandy brown in this light. They were all dressed in black too. I hadn't noticed the other guards on patrol dressed like that....

  "We mean you no harm," the man with his hands up murmured in a low voice, as if he was just as afraid to be heard by those on patrol as we were. But I wasn't about to let my guard down. This could be a trick, a way to get us in with less fuss. Jacob and Sven seemed to feel the same way.

  "Forgive us, but we cannot simply take your word for it," Sven said in a low, slightly hoarse voice. "I'm sure you can see why."

  The first man gave a slight bow.

  "I understand." He looked back at the other two. "And I do not know how to prove this to you...but we are loyal to you, King Sven. My brother, my cousin, and I intercepted you at great risk to ourselves in the hopes that we could offer aid."

  "Emberich has instituted a curfew," the man with the shaved face, who I was guessing was his brother, explained. "Our choices were to surrender or die when the capital was taken over. A few people tried to escape during the night after pledging loyalty..."

  "And they were immediately cut down," the slightly smaller man said, his tone grim. "Emberich hasn't questioned our loyalty yet, as we were among his guards previously. We are on rotation for patrol, but not on the docket tonight."

  I looked over at Sven. It was a risk to even consider they were telling the truth. But what would we really be losing here? If they weren't telling the truth, we were screwed anyway.

  Sven nodded slowly, and I knew he was on the same page.

  "I am going to trust you, for we are in sore need of allies," he finally said in that tired voice. "And I fancy myself a good judge of the truth," he added with a wry smile, a hint of humor. "What are your names?"

  The bearded man straightened. "I am Morris, my brother is Aag, and my cousin is named Plum," he said, gesturing to the other men.