Page 117 of A Darkness So Sweet
Of course he did. He knew that there were bigger things in this realm than his friend, who had given up hope. He’d seen the loss in Bjorn’s eyes. He’d known that there was a chance his friend wouldn’t even be alive when Ragnar returned for him, but he had to still try.
Ragnar looked at his king, feeling the hopelessness of the situation grow between them. “I can’t leave him there.”
“I know you can’t. But there is only so much I can do. We need you here, Ragnar. We need you to provide assistance when they attack us, because you know they are going to attack very soon.”
“I might be able to help.” A voice interrupted them, followed by a very familiar cursing voice.
Frowning, Ragnar turned to see the doors had cracked open as a young woman darted through the small part. She was prettier than he remembered, but he’d set her leg rather quickly after she’d been mostly hidden underneath Gunnar’s blankets. She hadn’t wanted him to look at her, let alone touch her. And yet, she’d managed with the healing well enough.
Now, Gunnar’s Rose was pretty. Her hair was a surprisingly light shade of blonde, her face smooth and cheeks bright pink. She was painfully emaciated, but she moved with a grace that he hadn’t expected from a young woman who had gone through so much.
His brother charged after her, apologies already dripping from his lips. “I’m sorry, my king. I didn’t realize she was at the door, or I never would have let her listen in.”
King Egil lifted his hand for silence. “If she thinks she can help us, then let her speak. Who are you?”
Rose marched up beside Ragnar, pretending bravery because he could see her shaking. The scent of her fear was a cloying acid burning in his nose. But she stood there still, shoulders squared as she looked up at their king.
“My name is Rose, your highness. I was in the labyrinth as a prize for those who remained alive. I was there for over six months.”
The king’s brows rose. “Six months?”
“Yes.”
“And how often were you... given as a prize?”
“At least once a week. Sometimes more than that, depending on when the king got bored.”
Ragnar winced. He had no idea what this woman had gone through, but he could guess that it would scar her for the rest of her life. Being here would help heal her, but not for a long time yet.
The king spat on the ground at the words. “Barbarians. Your people did you great harm. You are welcome here for as long as you wish it, to heal and to take the time you need. Now, you said you may be able to help us?”
Rose swallowed hard. “My sister, your highness. I come from a very long line of women who serve the king directly. There are many of us. Priestesses, is what he calls us, but we are anything but holy. Our order is used as a way to control all the nobility in the kingdom. Once we prove ourselves worthy, we’re given to one of the noblemen to aid them in all manners of the court.”
“A courtesan?” the troll king asked.
“No, your highness. A spy.” Rose shuffled her feet on the ground, seemingly uncomfortable with what she was about to say. “The priestesses are trained to do whatever it takes to get information to the king, and they are very good at it. Some of them are courtesans, but most are trusted advisors who were gifted to help the nobility manage... all the things nobles do in this kingdom that they shouldn’t be doing.”
“And your sister can help us?”
“I think she can. We were very close, you see. When I was taken, she promised to do whatever she could to get me out.” Again, Rose seemed uncomfortable with what she said. “Perhaps you can use that to your advantage.”
Gunnar stepped up beside her, leaning around Rose’s body to look down at her. “What are you suggesting?”
Ragnar knew exactly what she was suggesting. “You want us to negotiate with your sister? We could let her know we have you, and that we won’t give you back unless she helps us get Bjorn and the others out.”
Rose nodded. “It’s a good option. Better than going in and trying to fight your way out. The opening that the troll created for us, that’ll be gone by the time we get back. The king won’t make that mistake twice. You’re going into a hornet’s nest, but it’s full of traps for you. My sister can get in, though. Her noble is one of the men who runs the entire place.”
Standing, the king walked down the stairs and stood right in front of the young woman. She was so small compared to their king. Barely coming up to his chest, and she shook like a leaf. He leaned too close to her, obviously trying to intimidate her.
“Why should we trust you?” the king murmured.
Even though she was clearly terrified, Rose didn’t back down. Instead, she opened her mouth and quietly said, “Because you got me out of there. I owe you my life. If I can help those who were in there with me, then maybe some of the nightmares will stop.”
Nightmares. That was something Ragnar knew about. Maia had been having them as well. He knew she hadn’t been subjected to the same thing this woman had, namely because she’d been given to Bjorn over and over. But he couldn’t imagine that had been easy, either. Bjorn was a barely leashed monster of rage. He’d caught wind from other prisoners that Bjorn was known to kill the women he was given.
It wouldn’t be easy for Rose’s sister to get to him.
But when Ragnar looked at the king, he already knew the answer. This was the only way they could even try to get the other trolls out without risking their own home. There were too few warriors here already. They needed to gather in Trollveggen, lick their wounds, and start again.
