Vern ungently pulled Madeline to her feet. She inhaled sharply and winced. Removing his fingers revealed a bruise on her arm. He hadn’t squeezed hard enough to cause that damage. Throwing a glare at the guards, he ushered her out of their midst.
“Wait,” she whispered. Her head turned back to the boy.
Who was already being dragged to the hearth.
Neither the servant nor the Nadraken could be saved. Vern wouldn’t risk Madeline. He nudged the young Escort along.
They made it out of the hall before the screaming began.
Chapter 33
Vern
Safe in the Queen’s Wing, he allowed the girl to wrap her arms around him. Her voice was full of tears as she mumbled into his shoulder, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have… But he was kind, and he has a sister back home… I’m sorry.”
He smoothed her hair until she calmed. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I-I’m fine. Oh! Kierna!” She suddenly turned to one of the rose guards. “Are you alright? Shouldn’t you be in the healers’ hall?”
The guard lifted her arm, displaying a cut in her leather vambrace. “Only my armor was damaged, see? No harm done, my lady.”
Madeline wiped her eyes and nodded. “That’s good. I was afraid– Thank you.” She peered at her other guard, who smiled and inclined his head. Seeing neither of them hurt, she stepped out of Vern’s arms. Smoothing her dress, she said, “Thank you as well, Vern. I’ve been visiting the dungeons since the Queen left. The Nadrakens were sent there immediately. They were tortured for days – even the servants. I couldn’t…”
Her fists clenched. “I didn’t think Satryani cared that I was there. She didn’t do anything until today.”
Until he had threatened the duchess in her own chambers.
Madeline sighed. “I’m glad you’ve returned. Is Jerome–” She cut herself off, her mouth snapping shut and face going pale.
“He's fine. The Queen sent me back early.” Reaching into a pocket, Vern drew out a letter. “He asked me to give this to you. It’s not urgent.”
She took the letter with both hands, her cheeks faintly pink. “Oh. Thank you.”
By all rights, Madeline should have been the daughter of his heart. They had been closer when Jana was alive. He knew she mourned Jana as the only mother she'd had. He should have comforted her as he did Anais.
“Jerome will return soon. He is with Anais, gathering the army at the border. He is safe.”
The smile she gave him was bright. “Thank you, Vern. Truly. I wish… I want to help them, but I’ll stay here. I swear.” Then she gasped. “Wait. Castien was in the dungeons last night! He was asleep, and I think he was uninjured, but he was in chains! We need to get him out!”
He scanned the guards and frowned. “Is the court aware?”
Madeline seemed confused. “I don’t think so? Satryani must be waiting for the Queen to return. I don’t know how she got her hands on him, but he wasn’t there a few days ago. Only… last night.” She paused.
His command encompassed the guards. “Do not speak of Escort Castien’s presence.”
The guards bowed their heads. Madeline stepped back. Her frown of confusion slowly disappeared. “You put him there.”
Jana had ordered a proper education for all the Inner Circle.
“Stay in the wing, my lady. Duchess Satryani will be looking to undermine my efforts to control the court. Please do not make my task more difficult.”
He turned and left her with the guards.
—
His discussion with Jerrl was short but illuminating.
“Half the deserters joined the nobles.” They paced between rows of training soldiers. Jerrl paused to fix a stance now and then. “It doesn’t make sense. Damon rallied us under the banner of taking down the nobles, and now they want to fight for their oppressors? Are they mad?”
