by Serena Rose
And then finally we were at my cell. I didn’t know if they were going for irony or convenience by putting me in the same spot, but I didn’t have time to question their motives before they shoved me in.
I expected the door to slam behind me, and them to walk off without a word, but instead they followed me in. Another shove, and I slammed into the wall. I whirled, ready to take them both on, before I saw that one of them was holding a pair of shackles expectantly.
“You could have just asked,” I reminded him primly, offering my wrists.
He said nothing, but clamped the bonds down on me much tighter than necessary. I winced, and the slightest of smiles grew on his face. If I had a death wish, I might have flipped him off, but I had to remind myself that there were greater stakes here.
Once they were satisfied that I was really and thoroughly restrained, they left, slamming the door much harder than it ever needed to be. I winced away from the sound, and when it finally quieted, they were gone.
“Assholes!” I cried after them.
“Mercedes? Is that you?”
My head snapped in the direction of the cell across the hall. “Gael?” I called back. “Gael! I’m here.”
“No, no,” the Dragon Prince groaned. I tried to peer into the darkness of his cell, and I thought I could make out the faint outline of his hair. “I had heard you had escaped. How did they find you?”
“How did they find me?” I blurted, my heart aching at the utter hopelessness in his voice. “How did they find you?”
“When the ravens reached our party and told us of the attack, I went to the stronghold.”
“What! Why would you do that? The ravens were supposed to tell you specifically not to do that!”
“They did. But I was certain I was the only one who could protect you from them. By the time I arrived, you were long gone, and I was blindsided by a catapult that I hadn’t seen.”
“Wait, there were no catapults in my visions.”
“They apparently were a week or so behind. Not there in time for you, but just the right arrival to catch me. I was injured and tried to get away, but they tracked me halfway across the continent.” I heard his voice crack and I wanted nothing more than to reach out and comfort him. “I was a fool.”
“No! Don’t think that, Gael. Did anyone tell you I brought down the mountain on myself?”
“What? No.”
I nodded, although he couldn’t see it. “Yup. I made some stuff that would combust and caused a whole rockslide before I could get out of its path. Almost died.”
“That is how they found you?”
“Yup. Pulled me out of the rubble and thought I was some hero escapee at first.”
“If I had been there, I never would have allowed you to put yourself in such a dangerous situation.”
“Yeah, I know. But that risk ended up giving every single dragon a chance to escape. If you had stopped me, a lot of people would be dead right now.”
“So instead it will only be us who die.”
“Well, I wouldn’t be too sure of that.”
I could swear that his beautiful eyes glinted at me from the back of his cell. “You have a plan?”
“Of course. You don’t really think I’d let these putzes catch me again, would you?”
“Whatever it is, you must make sure you get out at all costs.”
I rolled my eyes. There were times for noble sacrifice and intentions, but this was not it. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. The only downside, is it’s probably going to get pretty bad for us before we can go.”
“Bad how?”
“The Prince is going to want to hurt one of us to get information from the other. It’s standard bad guy stuff. I’d love to spring us before then, but the timing’s not right. We’re going to need the cover of night, and for him to feel as on top as possible.”
“How predictable.”
“I know. But at least we’re together, right?”
“Actually, I think I would prefer if you weren’t here at all.”
“Yeah, well beggars can’t be choosers, and I’m the hero sweeping in to save you. Just, no matter what they do, don’t give anything away. Please. I know it’ll be hard, but believe me when I say that they can’t afford to permanently damage me.”
“Why? Are you under the illusion that they have some semblance of decency in them to not harm a weaponless woman?”
I snorted. “I’m not an idiot, Gael. No, they won’t go crazy with the torture because they think they can use my powers as a seer to benefit their world domination or what have you.”
“Ah. That makes much more sense.”
“Right? Maybe you should start trusting me then.” My tone was playful, but I quickly grew serious. “By the way, I know the Prince likes to haul his cronies down here to watch while he…performs. Do you remember one named Perin? A bit shorter than you, light brown hair?
“I…I feel like perhaps I have, but it is impossible to say for sure.” He paused for a long moment and I thought the topic was done, but he suddenly continued. “I seem to remember an odd man speaking excitedly to himself while waiting for the Prince to arrive. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, but what I could catch was still quite irritating.”
“That’s him!” I yelled before containing myself. “Do you remember anything about him? His face? His station? Defining features?”
“He… he was a tailor I think? Or perhaps a cartographer? I remember two of them being present, but it is difficult to recall with everything else that happened.”
I was absolutely sure I had the doofiest grin on, but I didn’t care. “No, that’s amazing, Gael, really. I—”
The door banged open, and the sound of marching footsteps sounded down the length. I wasn’t sure if my hearing had improved since I started hanging out with the dragon folk, or if these halls were just especially echoey, but stealth was obviously not a strong point of any of the Prince’s forces.
A few seconds later, the three guards that had been promised arrived, and positioned themselves between our cells. They were just far enough from the bars so that we couldn’t grab at them. Looks like they had smartened up at least a little.
It was a minor wrinkle in my plans, but not enough to cause me undue stress. I had expected two, but I could adapt. But for now, what we had to do was sit and wait in silence for the Prince to arrive.
*
More time than had expected past before I heard friendly banter and a chorus of laughter from the entrance to the dark world I was in. Maybe the Prince had wanted us to soak in our fear until we were marinating in terror. Instead, he mostly just made me impatient.
“Ah, my darling Mercedes! Have you made yourself comfortable in your new home?”
“It’s a little more of a fixer upper than I imagined, but nothing I couldn’t fix with new windows, some curtains, maybe some flowers to make it feel like home.”
“Charming.” His gaze turned to the other cell. “And to think, this is the woman you were crying for when you were captured.”
“I guess dragons are into different things,” I said, trying to draw his attention back to me. Part of me just wanted to protect Gael, and part of me dreaded having to see what they had done to him since they had never intended on releasing him anyways. “We can always talk about my experience with them if you wanna come over here.”
“Why do I get the feeling you are lying?”
“What? Me! I’m downright wounded…uh…” I paused for a particularly dramatic emphasis. “What was your name again?”
I had wanted him to get pissy, but instead he clapped his hands in delight. “Goodness, you are right! I have been a terrible host. Lady Mercedes, this is Sir E`on of the Marshes. Sir Gregory of Vell, and Sir Maver of Denvin.
“I am surprised that news of my name has not reached even the tiny Isle from which you hail from, but I am Prince Julian the Fifth. You no doubt are more familiar with my father, who unfortunately passed within this past year.”
“I am sure you’re as sincere as you are in those as I was in promising the trade for your Prince.”
“Good. At least we’re on the same page now.”
“Fantastic! I found that makes this next part that much more satisfying.” He gestured to the guards and I was sure it was time for me to bite my tongue and ride out another unpleasant one on one with the Prince, but instead they went to Gael’s cell.
“Is that really necessary?” I called, attempting not to sound desperate in my attempt to pull their attention back to me.
“Most likely not, but that doesn’t make it any less fun.”
And then they were dragging my golden Prince out and it took everything in me not to break down in tears.
He was still half naked, and his entire torso was riddled with bruises, cuts and burns. The open wound in his side had turned yellow and green at the edges, and he was an ungodly shade of gray.
But I was still a human, and I couldn’t stop the horrified gasp that escaped as my hands flew up to my mouth. “What did you do to him?”
“That’s a wonderful question,” the Prince answered, eyes sparkling. “Why don’t I show you?”
“Wait, what? No! I’m fine, really!”
But he was already slamming his foot into Gael’s chest, knocking the dragon flat on his back. A pained, weary cry escaped him as Julian rubbed a booted heel into his pale skin.
“Look, this really isn’t necessary. The dragons will give anything to have their Prince delivered alive. Killing him now would be a waste.”
The Prince turned his head to me, and he looked the most alive and genuine that I had ever seen him. “Oh, I’m not planning on killing him. Not yet at least. No, this is all for you, Lady Mercedes.”
“What do you mean?”
“Consider this an intro to a little game we’re going to play. You remember it from last time, don’t you? I will ask you a question, and you will answer me honestly. Only this time, if you do not, it is Gael who will be harmed. Not you.”
“Why? You don’t think I could handle whatever your big, bad brain will cook up?”
“On the contrary. I think you would handle it too well. This seems like a much more prudent way to procure what I want to know.”
Dammit. He had a point.
“Now, to begin. Where are the dragons hiding now?”
“I don’t know.”
He slammed his foot down on the Prince again, and I could have sworn I heard a crack. I threw myself at my bars, reaching out, but my fingers could only close on air. “No! I swear it! I know nothing about this continent. I can only tell you it’s somewhat by the sea!”
Prince Julian pulled his lips back in a snarl. “Somewhat by the sea?”
“Yeah! Like, not right against it, but kinda near it. That’s all I know, I swear.”
He removed his foot once more and seemed to consider me. “You know what? I believe you.” I sagged in relief against the bars, but I didn’t have much time to recuperate. “Perhaps this question will do better. How many dragons are there?”
“I’m not really sure, but I would say less than a hundred.”
The Prince whistled. “Really?”
I nodded. “I’ve only ever walked around their main stronghold though, so I suppose there could be outliers. But I can’t imagine it would be that large of a margin of error.”
“Very good. I do so appreciate how well you’re cooperating.”
“Well, you know me. I love playing a game by its rules.”
“That much is obvious. So, tell me, what are the dragons’ weaknesses?”
“That one I was actually telling the truth on before. They don’t really have any as far as I know.”
“You really expect me to believe that?”
My eyes went wide. “What? Yes! Their low numbers are obviously what’s putting them at such a disadvantage. But if you’re looking for some sort of magic button to bring them down, it isn’t there.”
“And here I was hoping that we could work together.” He held out his hand, and one of the men watching handed him a thin metal rod. It looked like a fire poker, but I didn’t see any fires here. “Pull him up,” he ordered flatly.
“What are you doing?” I cried. “I’m telling the truth!”
“I very much doubt that.” He pulled the rod back, and whipped it towards Gael’s back with a resounding snap. I screamed, and the Dragon Prince toppled forward from his knees before anyone could catch him.
“Please!” I screamed. “I swear to you I’m telling the truth.”
“This is growing tire—”
“She’s telling the truth.”
All of our attention flicked to Gael, who was laying wheezing on the floor.
“Come again?”
“She knows next to nothing about us. We kept her around for her dreams, but we knew anything she might learn could eventually be turned against us. So, we kept her in the dark as much as we could. It’s difficult, considering the dreams, but most of her mind seemed focused on the approaching battle.”
“Huh,” the Prince dropped his rod and it landed with a startling clatter on the floor. “I suppose I owe you an apology now, Lady Mercedes.”
I shrugged, my throat still squeezing painfully from the tears I was trying to hold back. “You know I think I can forgive you if we just call it a night. I’m terribly tired, you know, and I’m sure it’s past curfew.”
One of the men reached out and slapped his sword against the bars, making me jump back in shock. “You will speak to His Highness with more respect!”
“Why?” I spat back. “What’s he gonna do? Lock me up?”
“Your spirit never fails to entertain,” the Prince said, gripping his man’s shoulder and pulling him back. “But I agree. I think it is getting quite late, and it’s obvious that I am trying to use you in the wrong capacity. You are for what will be, not what has been.”
I let out a sigh of relief. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.”
“No, if I want answer to the secrets of the dragons, I suppose I should ask a dragon itself. The only issue is we seemed to lack the proper motivation to loosen Gael’s lips before. I’d like to see if that has changed.” His smile grew downright predatory, and I shrank back from the bars.
“Unlock her door and bring her here.”
I tried to put on a brave face as the guards came in and unchained my shackles, then pulled me into the hall. My heart was going a million miles a minute, and it didn’t help when one of the men kicked at the back of my leg, forcing me down into a kneeling position. Gael and I were less than a foot apart now, but the distance still seemed so impossible.
“Aren’t reunions lovely?” Prince Julian asked before stepping behind me. If there was something more terrifying than watching him torture my best friend, it was not being able to see what he was planning.
“Remember what I said, Gael. Don’t—”
Suddenly a hand fisted in my hair and yanked it back violently so I was staring at the ceiling.
“You had your turn to speak. Now, Gael is it, tell me where this stronghold they’ve holed up is.”
I couldn’t look at the golden Prince, but I could feel his eyes on me. I hoped, and prayed, with everything in me that he would stay silent.
And he did.
I was so proud of him, but before I could say anything, I was yanked back onto my feet by my hair.
“This game will grow very tiring, very fast if you don’t play along.” I couldn’t see a thing, but I didn’t need to in order to feel something sharp and cool press itself against the side of my face. “I will ask you again. Where are your people hiding?”
“No.”
The word was quiet, and I could hear the pain thick in the single syllable, but I was flooding with relief.
Gael was staying strong. He was listening to me, trusting that I was strong enough to survive.
But then the dagger was biting into my actual skin,
and I felt warm and sticky blood welling up from the wound. I barely managed to keep a cry within my mouth, but I could hear Gael try to lung forward.
“Stop this! Fight me like a man.”
“You see, I would, but you’re not a man.” The dagger left the burning line it was tracing along my jaw, giving me a brief moment of relief before it moved to poke at the front of my tunic. “You care for her, don’t you?”
Gael was silent, and the blade went deeper, lightly scoring the skin of my stomach.
“Oh, you do! How fortuitous that you two happened to be the two to end up in our cells.” The blade continued to travel upwards, ripping a line through my clothing as it did. “It’s easy to understand why. Golden skin, and those dark eyes that sparkle just right. I’m sure you didn’t hesitate before swooping down and snatching her up. What do you think, Gregory? Would you want Lady Mercedes here in your bed?”
The tallest of the men laughed. “I’ve never thrown down an island girl, but I’m sure with the proper discipline, it could be quite memorable.”
The dagger was traveling higher now, exposing more and more of me.
“Don’t say anyth—” My head was jerked back viciously once again, and the sharp edge sliced into the skin over my ribs.
“Enough out of you, now! The men are speaking.” Julien’s hiss was a mix of utter madness and venom that made my stomach churn. “Are your people worth it, Gael? Are you willing to protect them and sacrifice our precious little seer here?”
Abruptly my legs were kicked out yet again, and I was shoved flat to the ground. Prince Julian knelt, one knee digging into my spine, as he pulled my upper body up at a painful curve. He was just a breath away from Gael now, looking in the beaten Prince’s eyes with unhinged insanity.
“Do not doubt for even one moment that I won’t hand her over to my men until she’s dripping with more waste than a common whore. I need her alive, not honorable.” Julian yanked me back even harder, and this time I couldn’t help the cry that forced its way out of me. “Maybe I’ll go first? Maybe you could watch. That would be fun, right?”
