Chapter 36 Kasimir
KASIMIR
“If you break out of these chains one more time, I’ll break your fucking jaw.” A boot slams into my stomach, doubling me over.
I can’t help myself. A smirk touches my cheek as I lift my head, spitting blood on his boots. “Go ahead. I’ve felt butterflies hit harder than you.”
The guard growls, but his buddy catches his wrist before he can deliver another punch. “The prince said not to kill him,” he warns in a low voice.
I can barely see their faces. There’s no real light in here – only a sliver of moonlight cutting through the high window and a few candles in the hallway beyond the bars.
But I can tell that they’re getting tired.
It’s been an hour since Orion had me thrown in here, and I’ve already broken out twice.
Of course, thanks to these arseholes, I’ve been caught during both attempts, but third time’s the charm, right?
I can see from the nervous sweat on their brows that they know I’m not giving up any time soon.
I’m coming, Ruby.
“He told us to get him a comfortable cell,” the first guard grunts. “Didn’t say anything about keeping him alive in it.”
“Ah, but if I’m dead, how can I enjoy Sol’s finest suite?” A rat scuttles past my boots, disappearing into the clump of damp hay I’ve been generously provided as a bed.
The cell is barely larger than a shoebox, with chains hanging from the walls and bones littering the dark floor. Not that I mind Sol’s lack of tidying. I’ll be gone within an hour. Just need these idiots to go back to their card games.
“He needs to be kept alive for the princess’s sake,” the other guard says. My smile drops. “While he’s alive, she’ll do anything to keep it that way.”
“Her pussy’s that good, huh?”
“It better be for the trouble he’s putting us through. Shit, sleeping with Amaryllis better be like fucking a goddess.”
The metal cuffs dig into my wrists as a snarl builds in my throat. “Say her name again and I’ll carve out your tongue.”
“Easy there, pretty boy,” the first guard laughs. “We might not kill you, but he didn’t say anything about ruining that nice face of yours.”
“Do you think if we bruise him up a bit, the princess will find someone else to fuck behind Orion’s back?”
My lips press into a hard line.
“Probably. They’re all whores, really – all the princesses. Have you seen the way Dahlia throws herself at the guards?”
“Is that the one with the nice arse?”
“No. That’s Blossom.”
I shouldn’t react. Chest tight, I keep my breaths measured despite the anger pulsing in my fists. These metal cuffs may as well be paper, but I can’t break them again. Not until the guards leave, and—
The first guard shoots me a filthy wink. “Amaryllis has a nice arse too.”
That’s it. My cuffs snap into pieces, and I swing at the nearest guard. With an awful crack, his face collides with my knuckles.
“Bastard got my eye!” he shrieks.
I don’t give him a chance to fight back. Roaring, I kick him to the ground, then whip around to find his partner – only to freeze. The tip of his sword pokes into my chest.
“Don’t move,” the guard snarls. He’s taller than his buddy, but far uglier. He’d already be a dead heap on the ground if I had my weapons with me. Unfortunately, they’re out in the hall and I’m stuck in here with Ugly and Whiny.
“What are you waiting for? Stab him!” Whiny cries.
“We can’t, you idiot. Orion’ll kill us.” Ugly presses the sword harder against my skin until I’m backed against the wall. Blood seeps through my shirt, but it looks worse than it is. The guard barely scratched me. “We’ll have to use the stronger cuffs. And bind his feet too.”
“Fucking bastard.” Whiny keeps one hand against his face while the other fumbles through the darkness. I could run, but with the sword against my chest I doubt I’d get very far. That’s not to mention that Whiny has a sword too, along with the countless other guards patrolling the dungeon.
Fuck. I need my daggers.
Eventually, I hear the sound of heavy chains dragging towards me, and they’re clicked around my wrists and ankles while Ugly keeps his sword against my chest.
“This is for my eye,” Whiny spits, before his fist cracks against my cheek.
I open my mouth to reply, but Ugly’s quicker. His hand catches my jaw and lifts my chin up to face him. “Sleep tight, arsehole.” My lip curls. Metal flashes in the candlelight as he swings the hilt of his sword towards my head.
I’m out before the blinding pain hits me.
Shit. I must be dead. Everything sounds so far away, and it’s dark, so dark. A cold, black void surrounds me, but when I attempt to move, pain crashes against my skull.
I hiss at the intensity of it.
Not dead, then. Unless this is just what death feels like for people like me.
“He’s waking up,” someone calls through the void.
Definitely not dead. With a cough, my eyes ease open, and I’m back in my cell with a brutish-looking guard charging towards me.
Fuck, how long have I been out for? Ruby. Where is she?
I force down the rage that boils in my throat as I picture her in Orion’s bedchamber, the things he might be doing to her while I’m trapped in here. Useless.
Before I can curse myself, I’m yanked across the damp floor. “You were so much nicer asleep,” the guard sneers, pulling on my chains. “You’re almost cute looking. I see why that bitch likes you.”
“Fuck you,” I spit. My arms writhe against the chains, but I’ve got no chance of breaking whatever they’ve cuffed me with now. It’s like having boulders for limbs.
“Now, now,” Ugly chuckles. “If you’re willing to behave, we won’t knock you out again.”
I hold my tongue. If I can convince him to leave me in here, maybe I can find a way out. Maybe I can—
“Then again, you weren’t exactly friendly to us before,” he tuts, “and poor Simon almost lost an eye.” He grins and raises his sword again. Wincing, I brace for the pain when a high-pitched voice cuts through the darkness.
“Help me! Oh, help me, please!”
I turn to see a female figure, cloaked in dark green silk with a basket clasped in her delicate hands.
“Who are you?” Ugly calls out. Outside my cell, the other guard stomps towards her, his injured eye now covered with a bandage.
“I was just bringing some food to the prisoners when I got lost.” Her voice trembles. “But I’m so glad I found you both – two handsome guards to help me find my way.” Cautiously, she pushes back her hood to reveal a familiar, olive-skinned face.
“Camellia?” My brows push together.
“Your Highness!” Both guards double over to bow. When they rise, their gruff demeanours have been replaced with something much more gentle.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Ugly purrs, leaving my cell and locking the door behind him. “Please, allow me to escort you back to your wing.”
“No. Allow me!” Whiny blurts.
“Don’t go with them, Camellia,” I growl. “It’s not safe.” Ruby is going to hate me enough without knowing I let her sister wander off with two vulgar guards.
What is she even doing down here?
“You, stay quiet,” Whiny barks at me, “unless you want a matching lump on the other side of your head—”
“Oh, please.” Camellia places a hand on the injured guard’s shoulder, and the way his gaze sears into her makes my skin crawl. “I would simply love it if you could both escort me.” She smiles demurely.
“No, Camellia! Don’t!”
“Quiet!” Ugly hisses. “Of course, we’ll escort you. This way, Your Highness.”
Blushing, she slips her arms through theirs, passing me a subtle wink before she disappears down the dark hallway.
I don’t have time to think what the hell just happened when a puff of pink, red, and bright buttercup yellow charges up through the hallway from the other direction.
“It actually worked!” Blossom squeaks.
“Shush! They might hear us!” Dahlia scolds, but she’s grinning too. All three of them are – Blossom in her pink gown, Dahlia in crimson, and a blonde princess I haven’t met yet, wearing an intricate yellow gown dripping in gold embellishments.
“What are you doing here?” I hiss, very aware that now not only is Camellia in danger, but three more of Ruby’s sisters too.
“We thought you’d be more grateful.” Dahlia’s face sours. “We’re here to rescue you, duh…”
“Rescue me?” I want to laugh, but then I realise the guards are gone and all that stands between me and Ruby are these chains and that flimsy lock on the door. “You’ve got to help me out of here,” I rasp. “Find the keys!”
“We don’t need keys,” Dahlia cackles. “Because we have something better.”
“What are you talking about?” I could break down the door easily, but not while I’m stuck in these chains. Right now, keys are our only hope. Ruby’s only hope.
Dahlia shoves the blonde princess towards me, her gold dress shimmering in the candlelight. “We have Eden!” she announces proudly.
Eden just blinks, clearly as confused as the rest of us. “Um, Dahlia? I don’t—”
“You brought your sewing kit, didn’t you?” Dahlia grins.
“Yes…”
“Perfect!” She pushes her sister closer to my cell door. “Then work your magic and pick those locks!”
I can’t help but groan.
“Dahlia, I’m not sure my sewing kit will help us here.”
“Sure it can!” she beams. “It’s in all the books I read. The dashing hero picks the lock with a needle to save his beloved—”
“You mean a hairpin.” I shake my head.
“Oh, was it that instead?” Dahlia’s grin drops.
Blossom steps forward, her arms folded over her chest. “If we want to save Ami, we need a key.” She glares at her sisters. “So start searching.”
“Alright, alright,” Dahlia huffs. “But first…” She plucks a hairpin from Blossom’s head, cackling as a sudden waterfall of curls attacks her sister’s face. “Found you a hairpin, Eden.” She tosses it at the blonde princess.
“I was using that pin!” Blossom scrubs the hair from her eyes to glare at Dahlia, but she’s already rustling through the guards’ things, laughing quietly to herself.
“I’m so sorry I can’t help you,” Eden says quietly to me. In her pale hands she clutches the hairpin.
Edging as close to the cell door as possible, I speak in a gentle tone, “It’s alright. We can try with the hairpin. I’ll guide you through it.”
Her blue eyes widen. “You know how to pick locks?”
“Of course he does,” Blossom hisses. “Remember what he is, Eden.”
“Right…” She swallows.
I glance at Blossom, but she won’t meet my gaze. Instead, she keeps her arms folded and watches a nearby candle cast shadows upon the walls.
Turning back to Eden, I guide her through picking the cell door’s lock. She struggles at first, but her fingers are nimble and she’s learning quickly. With her ear pressed to the lock, she listens for clicks when Blossom’s voice slices through the bars.
“We’re only letting you out so you can save Ami.”
Jaw tight, I nod at her. “I know.”
“And if you don’t save her, I’ll make sure Father sends an entire army after you. You’ll never know peace for as long as you live. Every day you’re alive will be—”
“I know,” I say again. “You don’t have to worry, Blossom. The minute I’m out of here I’ll find your sister and make that damned prince suffer.” More than suffer. He won’t leave this palace alive if I have anything to say about it. No one touches what’s mine.
“Are you going to kill him?” she asks quietly. Tears glisten in her dark eyes.
“Almost certainly.”
She nods. “Good. Men like him don’t deserve to live.”
My brow shoots up, but before I can reply a loud click echoes through the hallway, and Eden gasps.
“I did it!” she squeals.
My cell door creaks open.