“Can you have one of the servants bring me something to eat? And to drink?” I managed to whisper.
“I’ll have something sent up,” he replied.
“Thank you,” I murmured, but he’d already slammed the door shut in my face, leaving me all alone once again.
This time, I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
Goddamn fucking bastard. I hated him.
I was going to leave. Tonight.
Chapter 6
Ariana
I cried my tears that night not to wallow in my sadness, but to clear my head. I ignored the raw desire to the best of my ability and prepared myself for the eventual arrival of the servant that would bring me what I requested.
I came up with a plan.
I didn’t need to be the king’s woman in order to infiltrate the Cult of the Blood Moon. I could disappear in the depths of the castle. I’d studied the history books. I could find the secret passages I’d read about and observe the Cultists from the safety of complete anonymity. No one would even know I was there. I’d never have to suffer under Magnar’s cruel teasing fingers ever again. I could take care of myself.
It was perfect.
When a woman arrived with a platter of meats and cheeses, I sprang into action. I helped her to the table, where she placed the food and water. I was surprised to see a silver pitcher full of red wine and asked for her to pour me a glass. I excused myself to the restroom while she prepared a plate, but when she wasn’t looking, I pressed a small piece of the thick painting parchment paper just inside the door latch. When I was finished, I slipped into the bathroom and feigned its use. I returned to her a short time later and thanked her.
She handed me the glass of wine, and I took a long sip, enjoying the flavors of black currants and berries.
“This is delicious,” I murmured, and she smiled widely.
I sat down and started to graze while she was preparing the fire. I sipped on the wine and watched as she tidied up the room. When she was done, I smiled in return and told her how much I appreciated how well she took care of me. She grinned and waved before she left, closing the door behind her.
The door didn’t click all the way shut. The paper had prevented that.
For a while, I waited to see if she would come back, but she never did. The city grew quiet and when I could wait no longer, I grasped the doorknob between my fingers. When nothing stirred on the other side, I started to turn it and pull it open. There was no one there.
I removed the evidence of my escape and shut the door silently behind me before I glided down the hall. I moved quickly, retracing my steps toward the garden. The halls were deserted at this time of the night. Everyone was sleeping in their beds. I only came across one guard, but his footsteps were loud, and I was able to hide in an adjoining room until he passed by. There, I found a candle and a forgotten book of matches. I slipped both into the pockets at the front of my dress.
Before I knew it, I made it to the gardens. I knew that one of the ancient entrances into the depth of the castle was hinted to be somewhere around here. Carefully, I slunk along the shadows so that the guards up on the walls didn’t spot me. When they turned my way, I pressed myself flat against the ground until they turned and looked outward into the city. They appeared to be more concerned with people breaking in then they were with anyone sneaking out.
I rounded a corner into a portion of the garden that was overwhelmingly overgrown. Tucked away behind a crumbling wall was a well, but I knew it wasn’t only that. The books had indicated that this well hadn’t been dug deep enough to ever bring any water. It was simply an entry into the inner workings of the castle that had been forgotten long ago.
I removed my shoes and tucked them into the waistband of my dress before I touched the stone with my fingers. It was solidly built. The rocks weren’t budging, so I sat down on the edge and slowly began to lower myself down. My toes dug into the spaces between the rock as I climbed, lowering myself one slow inch after the next until my feet brushed the ground some ten feet down. Once I was done, I put my shoes back on and glanced up to ensure no one was watching. There was no one there.
It was dark, but by the light of the moon I looked around. I was surrounded by rock and I began to explore it with my fingers.
I found a spherical stone and pressed down firmly on it. There was a soft grating sound and I turned around to see that part of the stone wall had opened. I pushed my hand against it and forced myself into the small opening. Here, it was even darker. Thankful for my earlier find, I lit a match and then the candle.
The hallway went on for a good way and I began to walk down it. It was simple and when I got to the end of it, I found a door. It wasn’t locked. I pressed my ear to it, listening hard for anyone who might be nearby. Thankfully, all remained quiet.
I opened it and maneuvered myself inside. I held up the candle and gasped at what I found. It was a supply room from hundreds of years ago. There were weapons of all kinds, candles of every shape, and vases full of god knows what. I moved closer and reached for one. I brushed the dust off what appeared to be a label.
Liquid fire.
There must be at least a hundred vats of it down
