She moaned and shifted a bit in her sleep and he assumed her mind relived her nightmares.
He glanced around outside their prison to see that no one watched. The army kept a poor vigil on the prisoners, probably because there was no way to escape. The guards at night consisted of two men who slept under the stars instead of in tents about eight meters from the cage. They were sound asleep.
He knelt by Danni’s side and stroked her forehead. “Shh,” he whispered. “It is all right. You are safe.” He took the food dish in his hand. “Danni, wake up.”
Her eyelids fluttered open and she blinked but couldn’t seem to focus. He slid his arm under her neck to support her head and lifted her almost to a sitting position. “Here. Try to eat.”
With his free hand, he scooped a bite and brought it to her cracked lips. She blinked again, then her lips parted and he slipped the spoon in. “Good. Here is another bite.”
She ate one more bite before she lost consciousness again. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.
Once more in the night she stirred and he fed her a few more bites. She didn’t seem aware of anything while conscious, but at least she had gotten some nourishment.
Chapter 32
Screams filled Danni’s ears and blackness clouded her vision. She tried to block out the cries and penetrate the gloom, but she hadn’t the strength. She couldn’t escape from the nightmare. It is all your fault, a voice whispered. Yes, it was her fault. Innocent people had died because of her. It is all your fault.
Then another voice called her name. Warmth spread over her and pushed the terrors away. The voice came more clearly. “Danni, it is all right.” Someone stroked her hair. “Hush. I am here.”
It was Nathan! He was there, holding her close. She could smell him, and feel him, and if she tried hard enough yes she could even see him.
She blinked to see him more clearly through a blinding light.
He smiled. “Good morning.”
She tried to smile back, but her lips seemed to have forgotten how to move, so she stared, unable to pull her gaze away from his face.
A spoon touched her lips. “Eat this.”
She obeyed, though she could hardly get the food down her parched throat.
“Good. Have some more.”
She fought to remain awake, but after four bites she lost consciousness again.
∞∞∞
The sun’s rays peaked over the mountain the next morning and shined in Danni’s eyes. Her body ached and felt as heavy as lead. Every movement, every breath was a battle, but her mind engaged and she became aware of her surroundings for the first time in days.
With great effort, she lifted her head. Nathan and the other companions were gathered in a hushed conversation. She tried to call out to him, but hadn’t the strength. Bars surrounded them and she tried to remember why they were in a cage. Bits and pieces of the last week flashed through her mind and she trembled.
At that moment Edward looked up and saw her. “Nate.” He elbowed Nathan and nodded in her direction.
Nathan blinked at her as though in shock. He glanced around, then hurried to her. “How do you feel?”
She tried to answer, but her throat was tight and dry.
Nathan sat her up, and Will handed him a bowl and some water. Nathan helped her eat and drink. The energy it took made her head spin, but she fought the nausea down and fixed her gaze on Nathan.
He searched her face with intense eyes that reached into her soul. “Danni?”
She blinked at him.
He sighed. “I wish I could tell you all is well, but I think you can see that it isn’t. There is no way out of this cage and it is taking us straight to Lord Donavan.”
She choked at the name, and Nathan moved closer to her. She used all her strength to raise her hand toward him. He took it and intertwined his fingers with hers.
He looked around again, then continued. “By about tomorrow night we will be near the crossroad that leads either to Lord Donavan or to James and the Central Palace. We have to escape by then or I do not believe we ever will.”
He rubbed his thumb along hers and she sensed his internal struggle. There was something he was afraid to tell her, though she couldn’t imagine what could be worse than all she had already been through.
“My plan revolves almost entirely around you.”
She squinted up at him, sure she had misunderstood. There was nothing she could do to help them escape. She felt so weak that even then she struggled to remain awake and focused.
“I had hoped you might be strong enough by then to break the bars with the ring.”
Her eyes flew open as memories came back to her mind. Screams drowned out his voice and he faded from her view, replaced by the images of her nightmares. She shut her eyes and pulled her hands over her ears to block it all out.
With a firm, gentle touch, he pulled her hands away from her ears and down to her lap where he held them tightly. “Look at me, Danni. It is going to be all right.”
She willed her eyes to open and tried to focus on him. Though she tried to hold it back, a whimper slipped from her lips.
“I promise we will not do this if you aren’t ready,” he said. “I wouldn’t even ask it, but from all Will said you have done, it should take little for you to break these bars. I believe you can do it.”
She stared at him for a long time and gathered what courage she could find. She had done much more in the past week, but she hadn’t been in control, and that frightened her.
She took several quick breaths. It didn’t seem fair that he needed her help when she needed him. At no other time in her life had she needed someone to care for her more than she did at that moment, but it was her turn to give. It was her turn to be strong. She bit her lip and pushed aside her insecurities and weaknesses, then she nodded. She would do her best to free herself and her companions.
Nathan smiled—a deep, genuine smile that expressed his admiration at her strength, his relief that she was well enough to take on the responsibility, and his inner feelings for her. His smile was all the care she needed.
“Rest now,” he said.
Too exhausted to argue, she snuggled back down in his cloak and slept.
She awoke when the wagon lurched to a stop in the dusky evening light. Nathan paced their tight quarters, then turned toward her and their gazes met. He bent down and brushed his hand across her cheek, then he looked up at something she couldn’t see. His face hardened and his lips pulled into a harsh line.
“Briggs is coming,” he whispered, “and he is flanked by guards.”
Danni felt the blood rush through her body and she nearly screamed. She couldn’t face him again. Not now. She wasn’t strong enough. The mere thought of him made her shake.
Nathan placed his hand on her shoulder. “No matter what happens, do not let him know you have gained some strength. Pretend to be unconscious still. Do you understand me?”
She nodded and squeezed her eyes shut. She heard Nathan shift his body between her and the entrance to their prison. Footsteps approached, then paused. The lock to the door clicked open, then the footsteps entered. Danni couldn’t breathe.
“Get back,” someone shouted and Danni heard the others move to the back of the prison. Nathan grunted and the cage swayed. She heard a body slam against the bars and had to peek. She opened her eyes to mere slits and saw Nathan pinned against the bars by two guards while two others stood before him. He struggled against them and Danni felt her stomach clench. Then Briggs’s pudgy form blocked her view of Nathan.
“Well, Nate,” Briggs said in his sickly sweet voice. “How is the princess tonight? I am worried that she hasn’t stirred or had water for days.” He turned his gaze toward her and she shut the slits in her eyelids. “I had to come see for myself that she is all right. Lord Donavan will be most upset if she dies before we reach his castle.”
Danni sensed him bend over her. He ran his hand down her arm and she nearly flinched. His hand li
ngered and it was all she could do to keep from screaming.
Nathan, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to contain himself. She heard him struggle against his captors. “Get your filthy hands off—”
She heard a fist bury itself in flesh and his last word came out as an ‘oof’.
Briggs laughed. “Lane was right about you, Nate. He warned me that you were very protective of her.”
“Of course I am.” Nathan’s voice was hoarse and breathy.
“Stop fighting me, then. I am not here to hurt her, but to help. I will to take her to my tent to make sure she hasn’t regained her strength, then I will give her food and water and return her to you.”
“You can’t take her!” Danni heard Nathan struggle again.
“Oh, yes, I can,” Briggs cooed.
Briggs scooped her into his arms and lifted her from the floor, but he must have left her heart behind because she couldn’t feel it any more—she felt nothing but numbing dread. She couldn’t bear it. She couldn’t watch innocent people be tortured again. She wasn’t strong enough to wield the ring.
Briggs stepped toward the door.
“Stop!” Nathan yelled and the scuffling noises grew louder.
Danni risked another peek and saw the third and fourth guard join in to keep Nathan under control. Her heart, she realized, was still intact and it pounded so furiously that she felt sure Briggs would hear it and know she was awake. They couldn’t take her away from Nathan! She couldn’t face Briggs and his cruelty without him. Panic beat against her and screams again filled her ears.
“Briggs,” Nathan begged. His plea drowned out the screams. “Take me too. Let me remain with her. Please!”
Briggs’s body shifted. Danni held her breath. Please, she begged, but she knew Briggs would never let him come. He was too cruel to give her what she needed. Please!
“Fine.”
Her eyes nearly flew open at Briggs’ words, but she kept them closed.
“You may come with her on one condition. I cannot have you overpowering my guards. If I allow you to come, you will be bound and gagged. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.” Nathan’s voice was strong again. “Anything.”
Briggs carried Danni from the cage. She peaked again and saw the guards tie Nathan’s hands behind his back. They ripped a cloth and tied it around his mouth, then one drew his sword and placed it behind Nathan’s back. Briggs started toward his tent and she could no longer see Nathan.
Chapter 33
Danni tried to hold still while Briggs carried her through the camp and entered a large tent. He laid her on the floor. She peaked enough to see guards tie Nathan’s legs together, then position themselves one on either side. They held his arms. The other two guards stepped before him.
“Merk!” Briggs’s call made Danni flinch and she hoped he hadn’t seen it. “Wake her up!”
Danni closed the tiny gap in her eyelids and steeled herself for what she knew would come next. Ice cold water hit her face and she couldn’t stop the gasp that tore from her lungs. Merk grasped her hair and pulled her up, but even if she hadn’t pretended weakness, her legs would not have held her. He let her go and she slumped back to the floor, then he slapped her across the face. She heard Nathan shout through his gag.
“Thank you, Merk.” Briggs’s footsteps approached her. “That is enough. She is weak, but I think you have at least awoken part of her consciousness. We will see.” He knelt beside her and she felt his hand touch her chin. “It should not have been this way, Princess. I wouldn’t have to treat you so harshly if you hadn’t let those poor, innocent people suffer and die. You had the power to save them. They believed in you, but you failed them. You let them die—even the tender children. It is all your fault.”
It is all your fault. Briggs’s previous words echoed through her mind and brought back all the horrors he had put her through. It is all your fault. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes, despite her efforts to stop them.
“That is more like it. Now, let us see how strong you are, my dear.” Briggs snapped his fingers and Danni heard a fist once again bury itself in Nathan’s stomach.
He grunted. Then she heard a sickening crunch and guessed a knee had slammed into his chest and nearly cracked his ribs.
She had to help him. They were hurting him so she would use the ring to protect him, and she yearned to do that. She couldn’t bear him being hurt because of her—just like all the others. If she used the ring to protect him, she would weaken herself and not have the strength to break the prison bars and free them all the following evening.
She heard them punch Nathan again and she made up her mind. Surely Briggs watched her every move, so she knew she had to use caution. She blinked her eyes and pretended to search for Nathan through foggy vision. When he did come into focus, she saw a trickle of blood under his gag. He shook his head fiercely at her.
She reached toward him and lifted her head slightly off the floor. “No,” she breathed. Then she rolled her eyes up into her head and let her arm and head crash to the ground.
After a few moments of agonizing silence, she heard Briggs grunt. “If she cannot protect him, then she cannot protect anyone.” Then he stood. “She is too weak. Bring me some water.”
It took all the willpower she could muster to contain her tears. Her bluff had fooled Briggs!
Briggs propped her up, tipped her head back, and ladled water into her mouth. She continued to feign unconsciousness, but was sure to let every precious drop slide down her throat.
After several spoonfuls Briggs stood. “Take them back and lock them up.”
The guards took them back. One laid Danni on the prison floor while another untied Nathan, then shoved him inside and closed and locked the bars behind him.
Nathan knelt beside her, and rubbed his fingertips along her jawbone. “Shh,” he cautioned, “they are still close.”
She held her breath until the guards retreated.
“They are gone.”
She opened her eyes. “Are you all right?”
He gave her a half smile. “Of course I am.”
Not fully believing him, she reached her hand out to touch the dried blood on his lip. He caught her hand before it reached his face. “I am fine. I have taken far worse beatings in my life.”
“He has had worse from me,” Will said.
Will laughed and Danni knew he meant to ease her fear, but he also probably spoke the truth.
Nathan brushed wet hair off her forehead. “Will is right, Danni. Do not fret. You were remarkable.”
“Here.” Will handed Nathan a bowl. “They brought dinner around while you were gone. We saved you some. It was so delicious I had to pry it from Garin’s fingers to get him to save any for you.”
“Oh, yes.” Garin rolled his eyes.
Danni sighed and let her tension and fear slip away. Nathan took the bowl Will offered and split it between them. By the time they reached the bottom of the bowl, her eyelids were too heavy to keep open. She heard the men’s voices fade away, then sleep claimed her once again.
∞∞∞
Terrible dreams plagued Danni throughout the night. Her encounter with Briggs had brought her horrible memories nearer the surface. She tried to keep silent, but knew a few moans must have escaped, because when the terrors reached a climax, Nathan’s arms encircled her and held her tight. She calmed and returned to sleep until the nightmares resumed.
The night passed fitfully and she finally awoke to hushed voices. She kept her eyes closed and listened. Through the whispers, she could distinguish Nathan’s voice and the other men in their group.
“We will wait until the army is asleep,” Nathan said. “After Danni breaks the bars, we will run for the hills. My hope is to either hide or outrun the men who will undoubtedly pursue us.”
“But Nate,” Will this time, “we have no weapons. They will be on us immediately. We will not even make it to the hills before they attack.”
Danni opened her ey
es and turned toward the men who were huddled together by the prison door.
Nathan rubbed his forehead and eyes with his palm. “You are probably right, Will, but all we can do is hope it takes a few minutes for the night guards to alert the others. They will have to scramble from their tents. That will give us a few moments. The wagon is always parked near the camp’s edge at night. We will have to move fast.”
“I we could get more time…” Edward rested his chin on his hands.
There was a way. Danni could do it. The thought squeezed her chest. Using the ring frightened her, but she knew she could do it. Nathan had been right—it would take little effort for her to break the bars. Her body was weak, but she knew she could do more than break them free. She could push the magic beyond the cage to stop the nearest soldiers, then they could escape.
“Danni?” Nathan knelt beside her. She had lost herself in her thoughts and hadn’t realized that he had seen her and moved over to her.
She blinked up at him.
He shook his head, his brows creased. “No. It is too dangerous and you aren’t strong enough yet. Break the bars and that is all. Leave everything else to us.”
Somehow he had known her thoughts. She saw in his pinched face how worried he was for her, but she also knew they wouldn’t make it unless she did more.
“Truly, Danni.” He took her hands in his. “It isn’t worth it. I cannot bear to see you hurt again.”
She couldn’t hold his gaze.
“Danni!”
“Nathan,” Doc interrupted. “Let her eat.” He held a bowl out to Nathan.
Nathan took it and helped her sit up, but continued to stare at her. She knew he wanted her to promise that she wouldn’t do too much, but she couldn’t. She had to save them.
Her stomach rumbled and she took the bowl from Nathan. Though the food was hard to swallow, she ate every bite and wished for more. She couldn’t recall ever feeling so hungry.
The Power of The Ruby Ring Page 15
