Page 55 of Scourged
“Sleep well, Your Majesty. I look forward to seeing all he has planned for you.” He picked up hisallumelamp and sauntered off down the dungeon hallway, whistling an off-key song.
The terror and rage in Mariah’s blood sank lower, settling through her veins. Her magic pushed out through her skin, just a bit stronger than before. Her fingers grazed the hilt of the paring knife still tucked between her mattress and the wall.
She had no intention of ever meeting this mysterious benefactor. Had no intention of being trapped here, at less than her full power, when she now had everything she needed to unleash her light upon this castle.
Mariah would wait for her moment, then she would get thefuckout of this place.
Chapter 21
The stables and courtyard were a flurry of ordered chaos, the sort of urgent structure found only in the moments that existed before things went to shit.
Sebastian knelt beside the great statue of Qhohena, the steady roar of the fountain soothing against his frayed senses. He finished the final lacings on his boots before standing, picking up his leather bracers from the ground, and sliding them onto his forearms.
Horses were being readied at the stables, stable hands running to and fro. Feran worked with the stable hands, tightening cinches, fitting bridles, securing saddlebags filled with supplies. They had a three-day journey ahead to the northern castle of Khento, and it would be a hard ride for both the men and the horses. Sebastian trusted Feran to ensure they were well-prepared.
Drystan stood closer to the barracks that sat between the stables and the castle itself, directing Matheo and Trefor as they organized weapons, sifting through the stockpile of broadswords and rapiers and bows and daggers. Drystan himself was already dripping with steel, but still secured several additional weapons to his blood bay gelding. Matheo slung a bow and quiver ofarrows to Sebastian’s gray mare; his brother knew Sebastian’s proclivity for the weapon.
That didn’t mean Sebastian didn’t still have daggers sheathed at his hip or a longsword already tucked into his saddle. Having options was always the preference.
“Quentin, do you mind making yourself at least moderately useful?” Drystan’s voice rang across the courtyard, pulling Sebastian’s attention with it.
Quentin, who stood before several stacked bales of hay, loosed another dagger into the target he’d roughly secured to the fodder. He shot a venomous glare at Drystan, before pulling another knife from his baldric and repeating the throw.
Sebastian huffed a chuckle, starting forward. “Leave him to it, Drystan. You know how he gets.” Drystan glowered for a moment at Quentin, before sighing and turning back to the weapons pile. Sebastian strode toward them, finishing up the lacings on his bracers as he walked.
“Sebastian!”
He paused mid-stride, turning back halfway. “Ryland? What is it?”
The City Guard captain jogged across the courtyard, breathless as he halted before Sebastian. He was one of the Marked who hadn’t been Selected, and Sebastian had known him since boyhood. Ryland glanced around at the flurry of movement, concern on his face.
“Are you … are you sure this is a good idea? What if the pirates storm the docks again?”
Sebastian grimaced. “Then your Guardsmen best be prepared to defend the city, as they are sworn to do.” In truth, he felt Ryland’s fears; they’d kept him up all night. The implications their leaving the city would mean for the resident’s safety.
Sebastian still heard the screams from the last time they’d abandoned their post in favor of searching for their queen.
He sighed, stepping forward to grasp Ryland by the shoulder. “I understand your worries. But you heard what the priestess said. If our queen’s life is truly in jeopardy, we have no real choice. We must try to save her … or die trying.”
“But do you all have to go? The men will feel your absence. At least have a few of you stay; Drystan, or Feran, perhaps.”
Sebastian had debated it; only asking a few of Mariah’s Armature to go on this mission. But as he’d thought about it and met the looks in his brother’s eyes, he knew he could never ask any of them to stay behind. They had just as much of a right to see her safely home as he did.
He bore the blood of enough innocents; he could tolerate a bit more if it meant Mariah was home.
The one thing hehadn’tthought much about was what they’d do if they found Andrian there. With her. Sebastian’s fury had already burned too hot for him to dwell on that for long.
“I can’t ask that of them.” He forced a smile, releasing Ryland. “It will only be for a few days; a week, at most. You have the queen’s Mark, too; I have faith you will protect this city.”
Ryland’s mouth opened and conflict warred across his face, as if he wanted to say something further. Ultimately, though, he set his mouth in a grim line and nodded.
“Safe travels.” With a tense set to his shoulders, he turned, striding towards the barracks.
Sebastian sighed, his gaze drifting idly over the activity of the courtyard … before it stopped.
Ciana and Rylla padded out from the tunnel leading to the palace side entrance. Ciana was dressed comfortably, a red sweater bundled around her to fight off the spring chill, glowing golden curls blowing around her face in the slight breeze.
Gods, he’d been so furious with her when he’d found out about her little foray into the city. He still was; why couldn’t sheunderstand the panic it had caused him? There was so much to be fearful of, and of course, she had to choose to create more.