The Exiled King's Guard

Chapter 20: Helpless

I had gotten into the training program and Lady Tremaine’s classes had helped me become a great spy. Being able to fit in with nobility easily to gather intelligence had given me a newfound respect for gossip in high society, because it was anything but gossip. I had big plans once I became General to rope these women into my research and intelligence unit. If I made it out of here alive that is. What was most curious was that Prince Lucas was the one to thank for where I was today. The same prince whose father thought I was a scheming b***h. To be honest, I was a scheming b***h, but I wasn’t working against this kingdom or Zach. And it was so hard to imagine that Prince Lucas, one of the kindest and nicest people I had met, was tainted with dark magic too. Sure, I had known him for one summer ten years ago. But I couldn’t bring myself to believe the same sweet boy could turn traitor against his father. Unless he had a reason. Uggghhh! I was spiralling! I needed to do something, I needed some answers. Where was Zach!?

Making a decision, I stood up from my spot in the corner and walked up to the cell door. I could see the passage outside. Straining my neck on either side, I tried to see beyond that patch of space. The passage seemed to end where my cell was, they were keeping me as far away from people as possible. I could sense there was no other captive in the vicinity. I didn’t know whether to be flattered or terrified. Anyone could come in here, do anything and no one would know. A chill ran down my spine. If they really thought I was guilty, death would be the best outcome. I knew what they did in dungeons, especially to women. No, I wouldn’t.. I couldn’t let myself go there. I had to find a way out.

Gritting my teeth, I felt around the bars, they were cold and very solid. I looked around inside my cell to see if there was anything I could use to break the bars. There was the filthy bucket to the side, which I couldn’t even get close to because of the stench it emanated. The walls were one solid continuous rock, which was intriguing. How far underground was I?

Refocusing on my task, I moved to the door, the same iron bars were along the door as well, with a big lock on it. The lock was my best bet, if I could figure out a way to open it, I would be free! Running a thousand different methods in my head, I put my hand on the lock, hoping to understand its mechanism. My entire body jolted with electricity as if stuck by lightning. I jumped back in pain and fell backwards, losing my balance. Subconsciously bringing my hand close, I held it protectively, breathing hard. What just happened? I sat there like that for some time, recovering from the shock. How had they mechanized the lock to give off electric shocks? But the guards didn't have this reaction when they locked me in? Was there an activation mechanism? Oh God! What had I gotten myself into? Not one thing had gone right ever since I had that argument with Charlton. It's like I was cursed.

Panic started setting in as it dawned on me that I was really stuck, captive. There wasn’t much I could do. I felt… helpless. I hadn’t felt helpless ever. Despair was starting to set in. I had nothing and no one. I had no idea what was happening outside, and no way to find out anything from this impenetrable cell. I hoped Zach was doing better than I was and was not on a guillotine somewhere. And that he would come rescue me, not just tell me what was happening so that I could plan. He had to save me from this.

I sat up suddenly. He had to come save me. Save me!? NO! I suddenly remembered why I had wanted to train in the first place. I didn’t need saving. I could save myself. I will get out of this place. Arrogant prince, or no arrogant prince. They had to send someone to me at some point, even if it was for execution, or to check if I had died yet. I decided I wasn’t going to die before I had my first visitor. I would wait and watch. I would get out of this place and to my rightful king, whatever the cost.

* * *

Commander Jeffery POV

“ You may go. I will be sending men from my standby roster right behind you. Did the General say why they needed my men specifically? There should be enough soldiers in the palace protection unit,” I asked, feigning nonchalance. I was very curious, everything had been unpredictable since the runaway prince arrived yesterday.

Anthony looked conflicted, he was part of the palace crew but I had mentored him since before he joined us. In fact, he was going to be in the Royal Guard, where I was supposed to be until six months ago, but my loyalty to the kingdom and faith in my dear friend Lucas came before anything else. Fortunately for me, once Anthony trusted someone, his trust was absolute. I was fairly certain I would get my answer.

“ I am not so sure sir, but I heard him say to the king that the girl is unpredictable and very well trained, we need to be over-prepared or she will escape. Although I am not sure which girl, sir, they didn’t mention it.” He was lying, I could see it in his eyes. He knew exactly which girl, and so did I. The General was in his ears, my Anthony was being swayed, but I couldn’t risk his life. So I let him go. I sent six of my men after him, with clear instructions that if they were asked to attack, they were to hurt the person, but not seriously damage.

And then I ran. I had to reach Eli, her mom was going to be an issue, but this was an emergency. I needed Lucas to tell me how far I should go to protect this woman. I now remembered her from Lucas’s peace visit to Cairintar ten years ago. He had been fond of her, and so had I. I hadn’t seen my prince smile like that since his little sister had passed, and I hadn’t seen it after Cairintar either. No, Commander Ashley was precious, she had to be protected. It was worth risking Eli’s exposure. Besides, I knew of a few ways to conceal elemental magic from detection. Witch Esmerelda had been very careful about handing over one of her own as a spy.