Frost Bound (Entangled with Trickery #1)

Dahlia

Chapter Eight

Dahlia

Basil was moving too slowly.

They only had one more day until the delegation arrived from Loriia, and Cosmos was still in the dungeons. The pompous man assured her it was all taken care of, but she didn’t believe him. Not until she saw her brother with her own eyes and held him in her arms.

Dahlia had managed to bribe a maid to trade dresses, and had the uniform hidden underneath her mattress. She’d even gotten a few of the servants to open up about the palace. She offered them a few treats or spirits, and with a cleverly worded question or two, Lia gathered enough information to create a mental map of the area around her.

The dungeons were surprisingly close to the royal quarters. In her mind, she’d imagined the king and queen would like the criminals to be as far away from them as possible. It seemed that the queen had a taste for blood, and liked to visit the prisoners to exact their punishment.

The wretch.

It also seemed that no one knew what the princess looked like. The Asteran heir only had two servants who attended her, and both were mute due to the queen’s cruelty.

Her cruelty knew no bounds, it seemed.

Lia waited until all the servants left for the night before closing the door to her bedchambers and locking the door. She quickly stripped and dressed in the servant’s garb before creeping over to the far wall, opposite the western windows. It had taken her four hours the day prior, but she’d discovered the secret door the Giver had used to enter her room. She’d even been able to explore it last night. It had been nerve-racking, but worth it.

The secret corridor ended near where she suspected the entrance to the dungeons was. Plus, she only had to make it across one intersection of hallways once she left the relative safety of the hidden hallway. Last night, she didn’t see any guards posted nearby from the peepholes.

Dahlia pressed the slightly raised notch on the molding of the wall and the door swung inward on silent hinges. Nerves danced in her belly. She never did anything without a plan, but Cosmos’ time was up. Lia needed to get him a message before he was spirited from the palace.

She picked up one of the copper trays full of treats from earlier, making sure to balance it on her palm before she entered the dark corridor.

Carefully, Lia shut the door behind her, leaving the shabby hallway lit only from the filtered light of the peepholes. One of the saucers rattled, and she grabbed the other side of the tray to keep it steady. It would ruin everything if she dropped the bloody thing and someone heard it.

In no time, she reached the end of the hallway. She paused at the door and peered out through the crack. No one was in the curtained alcove. Lia pressed her ear to the door and listened for what felt like an eternity.

Nothing.

It’s now or never.

With her heart in her throat, she adjusted her grip on the tray to one hand and flicked the metal latch with the other. The door swung toward her and she stepped into the alcove, slippers silent on the polished stone.

The discreet door swung back closed with a soft click.

She’d made it outside her rooms without anyone noticing.

Dahlia approached the deep red curtains and paused right before touching it. She listened, her ears straining for any sound. Nothing .

This was the part that scared her the most. Stepping out into the light.

It took her longer than she wanted to admit to gather the courage, but Lia swept aside the heavy curtain and into the corridor.

No soldier seized her. No servants questioned her. No queen to capture her.

Just an empty hallway and a night sky above her.

Swallowing hard, Lia put one foot in front of the other, gaining speed. All she had to do was walk and mind her own business, not draw attention. She flinched as a male servant rounded the corner and headed straight for her. She kept her eyes forward, fingers tightening on the tray.

Please don’t speak to me. Please don’t speak to me.

He smiled, but passed by without incident.

Lia exhaled through her teeth. Her steps slowed as she reached the intersection. She veered right, going toward the center of the palace. At least that’s where she thought she was going. A pair of soldiers were stationed at the end of the hallway, copper armor gleaming in the lantern light.

She kept her head held high, enough so she didn’t look like she was cowering, but not high enough that she looked like a haughty servant looking for attention. They stared right through her. They probably saw dozens of servants come and go each day. Nothing suspicious about her.

Dahlia reached the shiny onyx stairs and began the descent. The glass ceiling of the palace drew farther and farther away as the spiraling staircase slowly consumed her. Hallways branched off at each level and still she continued down. The air chilled as she finally reached the bottom of the staircase. A long hallway stretched out before her, completely encased in obsidian.

The flames from the lanterns danced along the slick walls, creating a hellscape. She shivered, and forced her feet forward. Two soldiers stood at the end of the hallway, a lotus-shaped doorway behind them.

It didn’t fit. It was too pretty.

Lia pasted a small smile onto her face and slowed as she reached the men. She held out the tray and glanced down shyly at the floor. “My lady bids me to bring you something sweet.” Dahlia held her breath, waiting to see if they’d take the bait. If the queen was down here as often as the servants had led her to believe, Allium must favor some of the men as well as her bloody pastimes.

The soldier on her left cracked first, reaching a gloved hand out to pluck a raspberry tart from the tray. “Please send Her Majesty our thanks.”

Lia smiled and lifted the tray toward the soldier on the right, who seemed to be studying her. “Can I tempt you with something sweet?” A double entendre. She hadn’t met a man who didn’t like a provocative twist of words.

Her statement did the trick. A trickle of interest entered his gaze. He slowly took a date cake, his gaze raking down her body. “I do have a sweet tooth.”

She forced a giggle out. “So do I.”

“Maybe we’ll have to explore our taste for sweets together.” A blatant proposition.

“Perhaps…” she drawled. “I can’t keep the others waiting. My lady expressed her desire for me to thank you all.” Lia stepped between them.

“Hold your breath,” the flirty one called. “It stinks down there. And continue to the very end. The men are at the back.”

She hustled down one more flight of stairs. With each step, the stench grew worse. Her eyes watered, and she choked back a gag as her slippers touched down on the grimy stone floor.

No more flowers or shiny obsidian.

Just rows of bars and cells and filth.

Oh, Cosmos.

She crept down the aisle, feeling sick at the state of the people in the cells. None called out to her, but cowered against the back walls of their cells, eyes downcast in fear. She frantically scanned each person, looking for her brother’s familiar mop of hair, his freckled face.

Steeling her nerves, Dahlia slowly approached a right turn in the hallway. She didn’t know what lay on the other side. More guards to be sure. All she had to do was keep her calm. The sound of boots against stone ahead caused her to freeze. Her fingers clutched the tray.

Did she push forward or run back the way she came? Neither seemed like a good idea, but staying frozen in the dungeons seemed even worse.

The only way forward is through.

With wooden steps, she moved forward and swung around the corner with a smile painted on her face. Lia skidded to a stop as she came face to face with Basil and her brother. She gasped, barely managing to keep the treats on the metal tray.

Basil glared at her. “What are you doing here?” he hissed.

She didn’t answer, and stared at her brother. He was dirty, and thinner than the last time she’d seen him, but he didn’t look broken. His clear gaze didn’t look to be in pain.

“Cosmos?” she whispered.

He swallowed and gave her a lopsided smile. “Hullo, sis.”

She took one step forward to hug him, but Basil held his hand up. “Don’t you dare. There are too many eyes on us right now.”

Lia tore her attention from her brother and peeked around Basil’s arm. Sure enough, two guards were watching the exchange. “Don’t leave the dungeons without me,” she hissed. “I’ll be back soon.”

Basil’s lips thinned, but he gave her a small nod. He pushed past her, towing Cosmos along.

Dahlia put extra sway in her hips as she approached the guards. A little distraction never hurt anybody.

They, too, took goodies from her tray while murmuring thanks and little else. The back of her neck prickled as she walked away from them. Would they call out for her to stop? Could they see right through her ruse? She wanted to run.

Keep slow steps. Don’t speed up.

Lia sighed as she turned the corner and spotted Basil and Cosmos waiting for her in a puddle of darkness. She hustled to meet them. Shoving the tray into Basil’s hands unceremoniously, Dahlia yanked her brother into a hug. Tears sprang into her eyes, and she felt how thin he was. How could he have lost so much weight in so little time?

“Are you okay?” she whispered, pulling back to cup his gaunt cheek.

He laid a dirty hand over her own. “I’m fine, Lia.”

“Did they hurt you?” she asked, scanning him from head to toe, running her hands over his arms and sides, looking for injuries.

“No. Just not enough food.”

“I’m sorry,” she murmured, feeling guilt for all the meals she’d eaten since arriving at the palace. She hugged him again, slipping two silver spoons she’d stolen from her room into his pocket.

Cosmos gave her a half-smile, eyes twinkling. He knew what she’d done. “Not your fault. I only have myself to blame. I’m the one who is sorry.” He eyed her. “Are you okay? How are you here? Please tell me you didn’t make any deals with the Giver.”

She swallowed hard. Lia had done something worse.

“While this is all touching,” Basil bit out softly, holding the tray out, “we don’t have time for this reunion. We need to get him out of the palace before the window closes.”

Dahlia glanced at him before snatching a treat off the tray and giving it to her brother. He stuffed the whole thing in his mouth. “You were never going to let me see him.”

The older man rolled his eyes. “Would you rather have seen him or known he was safe?” He huffed out an irritated sigh. “Say your goodbyes. Later , we’ll be discussing your actions when you’ve gotten back to your rooms.”

Basil stepped away, giving them some semblance of privacy.

Lia clutched her brother’s cold hands and lowered her voice. “Go visit Viro. Make sure you lose Basil’s escort, and do not go anywhere near Wicked. Keep your head down. The Giver will be looking for you once he realizes you’re gone.” She paused, waiting until her brother nodded. “I have a little coin and your medicine hidden in our room at Viro’s inn. Take it and leave the city. Head north to Lantium. You can find work in the maple fields.”

“I know,” he whispered. “You’ve had me memorize our escape route since we arrived in Florrant. Where will you meet up with me?”

Her throat tightened. “You’ll be on your own for awhile. It will take me some time to catch up. Play your music. Earn coin, and move on quickly.”

“No.” Cosmos shook his head. “We stay together. We’ve never left each other behind.” His voice cracked.

She gave him a brittle smile. While she planned on disappearing once the envoy passed the Loriian border, anything could go wrong. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll catch up in a few weeks. You’ll hardly even know I’m gone.”

Cosmos glared at her. “You’re not telling me everything.”

“There’s not time to argue, you stubborn boy. Please do this for me?”

He swallowed hard. “Are you going to be okay?”

“I always am.”

His gaze flitted to Basil and back to Lia. Lowering his voice he asked, “What if I have a fit?”

“Keep to yourself as much as possible.” She squeezed his hands. “Take care of yourself. I love you.”

Her brother cleared his throat. “How long do I wait?”

“If I don’t make it by spring, make your way into Fierre.”

“I don’t speak Fierran.”

“It’s easier to learn than Loriian, and you’ll be able to blend into the crowd better. I will find you. I promise.”

Basil held out the tray like it was something dirty. “Time is up.”

She took it from his hands, feeling sick. It felt like she was giving up her own child. One look at her brother’s face was enough for her to school her expression. He needed to see her confident or he’d never leave the city, leave Lia behind.

Basil scowled at her. “You know your way back, I presume?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll meet you there in a bit. We need to have a little chat.” The words were completely innocuous, but set her on edge. “Give us five minutes before you come up.”

Cosmos pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“Love you too.”

She leaned against the bars of the nearest empty cell and watched as her brother walked away. Had she done enough to prepare him for the world? Had she fulfilled her promise to their mother?

All she knew was that they were both alone now.

And safety was nowhere to be found.

She left a treat next to each cell until all the treats were gone. She wished she had more for the rest of the prisoners, but it was the best she could do. Her heart pounded as she ascended the stairs and passed the entrance guards. She tucked her head down and walked forwards, not meeting their eyes.

Just before she reached the next set of stairs, the flirty guard called. “If you give me a few, sweetheart, I’ll meet you in the kitchens.”

Glancing over her shoulder, she gave him a smirk. “I’ll see you there.”

His low laugh followed her up the next staircase. Her steps sped up once she was out of eyesight and earshot. The guard would be highly disappointed when he arrived at the kitchens and she was nowhere to be found.

Voices echoed above Dahlia and she paused, frowning. They sounded familiar. Lia closed her eyes and listened for another few seconds.

Haughty. Cold. Feminine.

Queen Allium.

Cold dread settled in the pit of Lia’s stomach. There was no way she’d be able to get past the monarch. She kicked herself. Forward or backward? Her legs wouldn’t move.

The voices drew closer. Too close.

Move now.

Backwards it was.

Dahlia fled down the stairs. She darted to the right at the first landing, heart racing. The short hallway led to a large, circular, domed room lit by small decorative lanterns. Floor-to-ceiling plush curtains puddled on the stone floor. Divans and couches littered the center of the enclosed indoor pavilion.

The voices grew louder still.

She reached the first alcove and yanked back the curtain, only to hesitate. A bed. What if the queen’s destination was this bed? Plus, there was too much light. Nowhere to hide.

Lia dropped the curtain and sprinted for the farthest alcove. Sweat dripped down the back of her neck as she slipped behind the fabric. Thankfully, this alcove was dark. She clutched the tray to her chest and tried to breathe shallowly. Her pulse leapt as she spotted the queen and her entourage through the crack between the curtain and the wall.

“I want this pavilion to be transformed into a state of decadence by the morning,” Allium commanded.

“It will be done,” a matronly servant commented, a firm line between her thick gray brows.

Dahlia backed away from the curtain as the queen moved out of sight, her voice drawing nearer. “Those bloody monsters ruin everything! To arrive early is beyond rude.”

Arrive early?

Lia stepped back onto what felt like someone’s boots. She frowned, brows furrowing. What the devil was that? Glancing over her shoulder, Dahlia squinted into the dark, making out a shape.

A statue. It was just a massive statue.

She blinked up at the naked, masculine chest and pierced nipples bathed in shadows before rolling her eyes. Only in the Asteran palace would she find something so crude and barbaric.

“Get this place cleaned,” the queen seethed right outside the curtain. “I will not have our enemies believe we’re simpletons incapable of cleanliness.”

Dahlia’s attention snapped back to the flimsy textile separating herself from the monarch. It waved as someone passed it.

She drew farther back, her back brushing against the statue. There was nowhere to hide. Dahlia hugged the tray close to her chest.

Please don’t let her find me.

The air changed and the hair along the nape of her neck rose a moment before a huge hand closed over her nose and mouth. She released a little squeak and tried to surge forward. A tree-like arm banded around her middle and jerked her back into a hot, hard body, knocking what little air she had from her lungs. The tray dug into her ribs painfully, caught beneath her attacker’s arm.

She clawed at their forearm with her fingernails, desperate to escape. Their breath skated across the top of her head.

“Don’t fight or I’ll kill you,” a deep, terrifying, heavily-accented voice hissed in her ear.