The Shackled Sorceress' Mate

Unexpected Storm

His eyes shoot open at the sight of the tool in my hand. “Are you crazy?” He asks, “That’s going to make way too much noise!”

I look at his blood-stained shirt and have to gulp down the bile that bubbles up in my throat. I’ve come too far to give up now. I glance across the courtyard at the distracted guard, crouching down to keep myself out of view as much as possible. Ladon’s right. I was so excited to get here that I didn’t even think about this part of the plan. My father always told me I’m too impulsive… maybe he’s right. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, sending a silent prayer to the heavens. A miracle is the only thing that could help me out of this now.

“Dru?” Ladon whispers. I blink my eyes open to look at him, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of those glistening eyes. “You need to get out of here. Now.”

Then I feel a little droplet on the top of my head. My hand flies to my hair to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. The skies were cloudless a moment ago, but when I look upward a blanket of dark clouds has rolled in. Another cool droplet lands on my cheek.

Holy crap.

Someone up there must really be looking out for me.

BOOM. A loud clap of thunder cracks through the air, shaking the ground under my feet. The lightning strike is so bright that I have to shield my eyes. It must have struck just outside the palace walls.

As if on cue, the skies open up at that precise moment. A torrential curtain of water dreanches us without warning. I squint through the downpour to see the guard scurrying away to find cover, and a devious smile stretches across my face.

When I look down at Ladon, he’s not smiling. The water is dripping from his furrowed brow and he’s glaring at me suspiciously. “How did you do that?” He asks.

I laugh a little. “That wasn’t me, I promise. I’m as normal as plain bread.”

He lifts an eyebrow, but doesn’t say anything else. So I take to sawing at the giant, rusted lock that’s securing the stockades. Once again I’m sending sparks flying into the air, but they’re quickly dissipated by the sheets of rain around me. I’m determined to get this boy out. After everything he did for me, it’s the least I can do.

With one final shove the lock breaks loose with a loud clank. I reach down and pull it off, then pull hard on the top of the wooden barrier that’s holding him hostage. He stands up gingerly and rubs his wrists. “Thanks,” He says with that enchanting, sideways smirk.

I look at the ground, trying not to get distracted by his mesmerizing eyes. Something about him is dangerous. I can feel it. “No problem.” I say, “I’d better get going before it gets dark though.”

“Yeah, me too,” he says, wiping the rain from his brow. 

I turn on my heel, ready to make my getaway, but something stops me. “I’m sorry for pulling you into this,” I say over my shoulder.

“No problem,” He says with a wink. “It was fun. Mostly.”

I chuckle a little and shake my head, then take off toward the lowest section of the castle wall. I know I can climb this part easily. I’ve done it before. I just have to move fast. I don’t want ot be in the woods after dark if I can help it. The wolves are always out at night… and they’re not known to leave survivors.