by TJ Klune
“What?” I asked.
Justin said, “I have lost any and all faith in people’s taste.”
Tina said, “Were they all blind? Because that’s the only thing that makes sense to me.”
Ryan said, “I could have taken them all with one hand tied behind my back, a blindfold over my eyes, a wooden sword, and no legs.”
We all turned slowly to look at him.
He looked extraordinarily grumpy as he crossed his arms over his chest. “What? I could have. I’m great at everything I do.”
“We absolutely don’t have time for your ego right now,” I said, waving my hand. “In case you can’t remember, we’re trying to rescue the King.”
He looked even grumpier at that. I had to remind myself that I’d already decided no blow jobs. The things I sacrificed for Verania. Once freed from the dungeons, the King was going to need to be made aware of my selflessness.
“Now,” I said, clapping my hands. “Shall we?”
Ryan pushed by me, muttering what I assumed were compliments about the power of my sexuality under his breath. I heard the jingle of keys from one of the pockets of his robes. He stood in front of the door, eyeing it warily.
“Do you not remember how keys work?” I asked him slowly. “Because I can show you if you—”
“I’m readying myself,” he snapped. “For all we know, the door is booby-trapped and will explode the moment we open it.”
“Then why would the Darks have been guarding it—from your expression, that was the wrong thing to say. Instead I am going to validate your concerns, because that’s what a good boyfriend does.”
“Oh, is that what a good boyfriend does? I thought a good boyfriend offered himself up like a sexual platter for Darks to feast upon.”
Sexual platter, I mouthed to Justin, who sighed and shook his head.
“I wouldn’t have slept with them,” I told Ryan. “You’re my one and only.”
His eyebrows looked like he didn’t agree with me.
I kissed his cheek.
His mouth twitched a little.
“You know that one thing you like that I do with my tongue underneath your balls?” I whispered in his ear. “I’ll do that to you later.”
“Blech,” Lady Tina said. “We can hear you.”
Ryan flushed furiously, but he looked placated. The promise of a hummer will do that to anyone.
He put the key into the lock, and while I didn’t think it would explode the moment it opened, I wasn’t going to take the chance. I readied myself to freeze time if I had to (something I didn’t even know if I could do, but it sounded good, so whatever).
The tumblers clicked loudly as he turned the key.
We all held our breaths.
The door did not explode.
He pulled the key out.
We sighed.
“Okay,” he said, shaking his head. “I think we’re good.”
And then he reached for the handle and opened the door to Castle Lockes.
Chapter 10: Do You Even Lift, Bro?
IT WAS odd being back in Castle Lockes after all this time. I’d been through the knights’ entrance countless times, but the moment we stepped through the door and shut it behind us, it was like I was seeing everything with new eyes.
A long stone hallway stretched out in front of us, lit by torches that hung on the walls. The ceiling was so low, Ryan could have reached up and touched it. The air was musty and dank, and it smelled so much like home that I had to take a moment to breathe it in to commit it once again to memory.
“Remember,” Justin said, sounding just as affected. “We move quickly and quietly. Do not engage unless necessary. Keep your heads low, and don’t draw attention. Sam, that means no getting distracted by—Sam, are you even listening to me?”
I wasn’t but said, “Yeah, yeah, sure,” as I stared at a painting of a Dark wizard throwing a child into a moat while other Darks cheered around him. “Was this here before? Because if it was, remind me to put in a request to the King to have the artist sent to the dungeons. And if it wasn’t, I call dibs on taking out the artist who thinks he can paint better than me.”
“Noted,” Justin said through gritted teeth. “Now, can we focus, please?”
“I mean, do they think it’s okay just to hang up art anywhere they want—”
“Sam!”
“Right. Focusing. Carry on.”
“No distraction, no deviations, no engaging. We are in, and out, and that is it.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “After all, what could possibly go wrong?”
The others groaned.
“Why would you say that?” Tina demanded.
“It’s like you want us to fail,” Justin groaned.
“I mean, there were only four of them,” Ryan growled. “And in case you hadn’t noticed, my biceps were bigger than all of theirs. Combined.”
We stared at him.
He glared at us.
“Great,” Justin muttered. “Just great.”
The hallway was empty, and as we moved ahead, we listened for movement. Aside from the usual sounds of a castle creaking and settling, it was quiet.
“A little too quiet,” I muttered.
“What was that?” Ryan asked.
“I said, it’s a little too—” And then I ran smack-dab into someone coming from a hallway to my left.
“Kill it with fire!” I squeaked, because apparently I scared easily.
“Please don’t kill it with fire!” came the response as I jumped back. “I would really rather not burn to death, my lords.”
It was a woman I recognized, a member of the cleaning staff handpicked by the King. They took their work seriously and considered it an honor to serve the King. The maids and butlers had their own rooms in the castle, were paid and fed well, and were treated like every other member of the King’s staff. Or at least they had been before Myrin took over.
She looked tired now, aged far beyond her forty-odd years. Her eyes were wide and fearful as she looked away from us, wringing her hands. I wondered why she was so scared, and was about to console her until I remembered we were in disguise.
Which, great. We weren’t recognizable. But awful too, because that meant she was scared of us.
“Yes, well,” I said, hating myself for it. “See that it doesn’t happen again. Why are you even up and about? It’s the middle of the night.”
She looked confused. “You only allow us a few hours of sleep per week, my lord. Now is not my sleeping time.”
“Those monsters,” I breathed. Then I coughed. “I mean, right. Right. Well, then, go about your business, and don’t let me catch you slacking off.”
She nodded and turned, obviously wanting to get away from us as quickly as possible.
“Wait!” Justin said before she could get too far.
She stiffened but turned around slowly. “My lord?”
“The King.”
She took a step back.
“Is he guarded?”
“Yes?” she said, as if she thought it was a trick question. “Always.”
“How many?”
“Two of you,” she spat at him. And then she added, “My lord.” Pride swelled in my chest at the anger in her voice.
Justin nodded, and she fled.
“Exactly what the Dark prisoners back at Camp HaveHeart said,” Ryan said. “Good to know.”
“Two,” Lady Tina said. “We can take two of them.”
Justin rubbed his double chin in thought. “I want you to stay here,” he said, staring after where the maid had disappeared. “Keep the hallway free of any obstruction. When we’ve freed my father, we’ll need to move quickly. And the fewer of us moving about the castle, the better. Do you understand?”
Lady Tina snapped to attention, nodding tightly. It would have been impressive if I didn’t dislike everything about her. “Yes, Your Highness.”
“Take whatever action you deem necessary to keep the hallway clear, but stay out of
sight as much as possible. I’m counting on you.”
She preened a little like an undeserving show dog with mange, but moved to stand against the far wall, where she had a view of all approaches.
Ryan nodded at her as he followed Justin.
“Sam,” she said as I passed her by.
I sighed as I stopped. “What?”
“Keep them safe.”
I scoffed. “I’ve been keeping them safe longer than you’ve decided to pretend to have a soul. You don’t need to worry about that.”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “And I’ve been protecting them since you decided to disappear into the forest.”
Why did she keep having valid points? What kind of Dark magic was this? “I am going to—”
“Sam! Move your ass.”
Tina grinned smugly. “You heard the Prince, Sam.”
If looks could kill, Lady Tina’s entire bloodline would have been obliterated right then and there, even though I was almost begrudgingly impressed.
I grumbled as I followed my knight and my best friend 5eva, leaving Lady Tina behind.
IT WASN’T until we reached a set of stairs that led to the main floor of the castle that I began to see noticeable changes to Castle Lockes. It’d only been a year since I’d seen it last, but I didn’t think Darks were as worried about home décor as they were about making everyone miserable with their existence.
But the paintings of kings past and dignitaries and heads of state that had lined the walls had been removed (probably destroyed) and replaced with red-and-white banners that had a large black M right in the middle.
“He’s not very subtle, is he?” Justin said, sounding pained.
“Villains usually aren’t,” I replied.
“Are you okay?” Ryan asked Justin, dropping a hand on his shoulder and squeezing.
Justin shook him off. “I will be once we get to my father. Keep moving.”
Ryan glanced back at me, but I could only shrug.
We made our way up the stairs to the main floor. Off to the left was another set of stairs that led to our old living quarters, and I shuddered to think what had happened to them and who was staying in the home Ryan and I had made for ourselves.
“Hey.”
I startled, looking over at Ryan to find him watching me with a knowing expression. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, Sam. I promise. But we gotta keep moving, okay? Before—”
“Gentlemen,” a voice said.
We whirled around.
Caleb Marlowe.
He didn’t look any worse for wear since I’d seen him last. He was dressed similarly to us, in black robes that scraped along the stone floors, the hem speckled with dust. He looked severe but not suspicious. “Where are you going?”
I was struggling to keep my magic under control because he was right there, and I’d already let him walk away once. I didn’t know if I could do it again.
As if he knew I was struggling, Justin stepped in front of me, blocking Caleb. Out of sight, Ryan grabbed my hand, squeezing tightly. I calmed slightly, the bubbling rage lowering to a slow simmer. “New recruits, sir,” Justin said, tilting his head deferentially, and I hated the sight of him treating Caleb with any sign of respect, no matter how false. “Just showing them the ropes.”
Caleb hummed a little at that. “At this time of night?”
“They were late arrivals.”
“On that caravan from earlier?”
“Yes.”
Caleb took a step toward us. “Interesting. I thought it was just supplies being delivered. I don’t like it when things are late.”
“My apologies, sir,” Justin said evenly. “It won’t happen again. Which is why I am trying to bring these slackers up to speed so they don’t waste anyone else’s time.”
“Good. If there are any further… problems, I’d like for you to report to me. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Caleb nodded and made as if he was going to leave. But then he paused and turned back to Justin. “One more thing. I don’t know if I even recognize you.”
“I was in Meridian City until last week,” Justin said hastily. “But I was assigned to Castle Lockes by Craven the Bold.”
Caleb made a face at that. “Craven. He still draws breath? How… unfortunate. But I suppose he gets results, however unorthodox the method. Well, I’ll leave you to it, then. Remember, anyone steps out of line, you come to me.”
Justin bowed slightly. “Of course, sir.”
“Good. Off with you, then. I have matters to attend to.”
He turned and walked away, robes swirling behind him.
Justin breathed a sigh of relief as he turned back toward us. He eyed me warily. “All right?”
I nodded but didn’t speak.
“We’ll get him, Sam,” Ryan said quietly. “Not today, but soon. I promise.”
He was right about that.
We’d get them all.
THE NEXT room over held the Great Doors to the throne room of Castle Lockes.
I sighed at the sight of them.
The stood as they always had, tall and proud and imposing. I’d walked through them countless times and knew on the other side sat the thrones of the King and Prince, now turned into a twisted mockery of what they’d once been since Myrin had risen to power.
Someone cleared their throat behind me.
I turned and found Justin and Ryan watching me, looking concerned.
I shook my head. “I’m fine,” I said. “Just—it doesn’t matter.”
“It’s the same, you know,” Justin said, looking up at the Great Doors. “For me.”
“Me too,” Ryan said. “Whatever it was, it’s the same.”
I believed them. “We should keep moving.”
Ryan looked like he was going to protest, but changed his mind after Justin nodded and turned toward the Great Doors. He put his hands upon them and started to push.
“What are you doing?” I asked, confused. “We need to go to the dungeons.”
He glanced back at me. “We are. We know how many are guarding my father, but we don’t know how many are at the entrance to the dungeons. We’re going a different way.”
I blinked. “What other way is there?”
He grinned. “There’s a secret entrance.”
“What? Okay, not even touching upon how convenient that is, but how in the hell didn’t I know about it?”
He shrugged, hands still upon the Great Doors. “Only a few of us do. Me. My father. Ryan.” He paused. Then, “Your mother.”
I gaped at him. “My mother? How in the hell did she—” And then I remembered what was on the other side of the throne room. “Her garden. Are you telling me that there is a passage through the garden to the dungeons and my mother knew about it?”
“She was its caretaker,” Ryan said quietly. “The King entrusted the secret to her.”
“I don’t understand. I know every inch of this castle. Where would it—” I sighed. “Her secret garden. That’s where it is, isn’t it? That’s why she—godsdammit. I didn’t see that one coming. Well played. I’m a little pissed that you all knew about it and I didn’t, but still. Good job on that one.”
“Are you done?” Justin asked.
I rolled my eyes. “Yes. Please, go ahead. Lead me toward the secret that was kept from me because you guys suck balls or whatever. I mean, I would accept an apology, but we can worry about that later. Stop wasting time.”
Justin sighed but pushed open the Great Doors.
THE THRONES sat as they always had, the King’s bigger than the Prince’s. Myrin hadn’t removed them. He probably enjoyed the irony of one such as him sitting in a place meant for one who ruled with a kind and gentle hand.
But everything else was different.
The banners were here too, much larger and hanging from the ceiling. It was almost shocking to see them, looking brutal and cruel in what was meant to be a place o
f peace.
Myrin had made this place his own, and I hated everything about it.
Justin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t hesitate as he marched through the throne room, thick shoulders squared, head held high. He glanced once at the thrones but didn’t stop, heading for the doors on the opposite wall.
Ryan followed him just as quickly.
I paused when we passed the thrones. I sent up a silent prayer to the gods, however useless it would be.
But that was all I could do for now.
We were through the doors and out into the garden before we could be noticed.
The sky above was littered with stars.
David’s Dragon twinkled brightly, and I did my best not to scowl up at it.
My mother’s flowers were mostly dead and rotting, the grounds unkempt. She would be fuming at the sight of them. I promised myself it’d be one of the first things we’d correct. I’d be out here with her from sunup to sundown if that’s what it took. We moved through the garden, pushing through leafy limbs that stretched out around us, thorns prickling, the perfume of the dead flowers sickly-sweet and cloying. Ryan knew the way to the secret part of the garden, but I’d never seen Justin there, so I was a little surprised to find him leading the way confidently. Granted, I hadn’t known about the secret entrance either, so perhaps Justin had been there more than I’d thought.
Right before we rounded the corner to the start of the secret garden, Ryan and Justin stopped, exchanged a look, then turned back around to face me.
I didn’t like the look of this.
“Morgan knew,” Justin said quietly.
I had no idea what he was talking about. “Knew what?”
“He knew you came here,” Ryan said. “When you had to think. When you needed to clear your head. When you wished upon the stars.”
No, I wasn’t going to do this now. “Good for him. I don’t know how you know that, but that’s just great. So, if we can—”
“He left a letter,” Justin said, and I swallowed with an audible click. “My father found it in his office. He swore that it wasn’t there before, and maybe with all the upheaval, he missed it, but—he found it. The day after you left.”
