Chapter 85 Nox #2
The other man snorts, palming a lemon bar for himself. “Unsurprising. His Majesty seems like the type to try to win you over with something simple like sweets.” He lifts it up, inspecting the icing on top. “Gods, did lightning strike the person who was trying to ice these? It’s a mess.”
My brows lower, but I keep my mouth shut as he bites into the dessert.
“If he wants to send us dessert every day in order to get our support, he’ll hear no complaints from me. Especially when it’s about time for us to go home,” Damien counters, biting into his own bar before pulling the bag from his friend. “Did you want one?”
I shake my head, taking a step back. “Already enjoyed one with the others upstairs. Just wanted to make sure you guys got some as well.” As I speak, I count the seconds that pass. Galen said that lavendaris worked quickly, I can only hope that adding it to food doesn’t lessen the effects.
A few moments later, that proves to not be the case.
Damien’s eyelids begin to droop as he mumbles something about sitting.
His partner watches him stumble to the ground before slowly moving his gaze to me, realization hitting just a few seconds too late.
Another handful of seconds pass as he tries to fight it, and then he too goes down in a heap.
I pull the scarf down and draw in a steady breath, the cold air of the underground tunnel sticking to my sweat laden brow.
Kneeling at the side of the second guard, I unhook the keyring from his belt, sifting through the keys until I find the one I need.
Sliding it into the lock of the gate, I turn it as a click rings out and the gate lifts.
Behind it are rows of cells in a grid-like pattern.
They should all be empty, as it is rare to keep someone down here for long periods of time.
It’s a cruelty that my father never enjoyed employing, and I only knew of one in his entire reign as king who was sentenced to years of solitude here before he was granted the mercy of death.
Flipping the keys on the ring, I find the master key for the cell doors and open the closest one to the gate before dragging Damien and his companion in.
For days, I had tracked the movements of the dungeon guards, learning about shift changes under the guise of needing the information as the incoming king.
It was an abuse of power for my own personal gain, and I didn’t fucking care.
My timing had to be damn near perfect, as I am unsure how long the effects of the lavendaris will last. Locking the door to the cell, I move to a pillar framing the gate into the dungeon and tuck myself behind it while I wait for Stephan.
When his steps finally sound in the hall, I slip two daggers from their sheaths at my belt just as I hear his steps halt and draw his own weapon.
I hold my breath, clammy hands gripping my hilts as I wait for him to make his next move.
This entire plan hinges on the fact that if I have deduced anything about Stephan, it is that he believes himself to be infallible.
After all, he had taken me down without any fight—regardless of the fact that I’m at my weakest. I had seen the way his eyes gleamed in utter satisfaction, his power over me as he dragged me through the woods unquestionably boosting his ego.
I nearly sigh in relief when his profile comes into view as he crosses the threshold of the open gate, his sword lifted in front of him.
“What the fuck?” Spotting Damien and his companion, Stephan’s steps slow as he looks down the row of cells.
I stay tucked back within the shadows, letting him pass me on his way to the cell holding the guards.
He shifts his weapon into one hand as he reaches back with the other to his belt, where his keyring hangs.
I lunge at him then, the element of surprise helping to close the gap between my current shortcomings and his advantage over me.
He turns, eyes wide and mouth agape, just as the hilt of one of my daggers smashes into his temple.
Stephan crumples, the clang of his sword hitting the stone beneath us loud as he collapses.
My chest heaves, and my fingers tremble around my blades, but I relish in the small feeling of victory that warms me from within.
Finally, something goes right. Once I’m sure he’s out and the other two guards are still asleep, I sheathe my weapons and kick Stephan’s away from him, stripping him of his remaining blades.
I drag him through the maze of cells into the center of the dungeon, sparsely spread out spelled flames the only source of light.
Placing him inside a cell, I lean against the metal bars of the door and tip my head back in exhaustion.
I picture Rhea as I close my eyes, the ever-present headache between my temples throbbing harder.
This dungeon is supposed to just be a temporary holding spot for those who dare to betray their fellow mages or their king.
But in my presence, it will become something darker.
Something harsher. For her, I will be the most monstrous thing this dungeon has ever seen. For her, I’ll do anything.