The Story of the Trees - Sword, Ring, and Crown Book One

Chapter Fifteen

The stone corridors grew colder and darker as we descended, the flickering torchlight casting long shadows against the damp walls. My heart pounded in my chest as we neared the bottom of the spiral staircase. Luke's presence behind me was comforting, but it wasn't enough to ease the tight knot of fear in my gut. My friends were here. Locked away. And I didn't even know if they were okay.

When we finally reached the bottom, we came to a thick iron door with bars. Luke produced a key from his belt and slid it into the lock with a low creak. The door groaned as it swung open, revealing a dimly lit hallway lined with cells.

"They're in the last cell," Luke said in a firm voice, stepping aside to let me through first.

My stomach twisted as I rushed down the hall, my boots slapping against the stone floor. And then, I saw them. Huddled at the far end of the cell, Dominic was sitting up, his face pale but alert. Luis stood beside him, arms crossed, and Adrian lay unconscious on a cot, his chest rising and falling slowly.

"Dominic! Luis!" I cried, reaching the bars as I lifted the stupid veil from my face. "Are you okay?"

Dominic looked up at me, relief flooding his face, but then confusion crossed his features as he took me in—really took me in.

"Matt?" he asked, his voice thick with disbelief. "Is that really you?"

Luis stepped forward, his eyes flicking between me and Dominic, but unlike Dominic, there was no shock on his face. Just a long, heavy stare.

"It's me," I said, my throat tight. "But there's... a lot I need to explain."

Luke stepped forward, unlocking the cell door. "I'll allow you in, My Lady. But only for a short time."

I glanced at him, surprised,  and angry. He'd put them in a cell! 

 As the door swung open, I stepped inside and rushed to Adrian's side, gently touching his forehead. His skin was warm, and he was breathing steadily, but he hadn't woken up yet. My heart squeezed in worry.

I squared off against Luke, all of my budding goodwill evaporating. "How could you leave Adrian in a cell overnight when he's so hurt? What kind of monster are you?"

Luke leaned closer. "Monster enough that I will not risk the safety of my charges within my home, My Lady. I do not know your friends, and you came here under duress. We have healed Adrian in his body, but such a grave injury causes mental trauma. If you bother to notice, the cots in the room are hardly dungeon issues, and there is a cold pitcher of water on a table between the beds. In fact, we recently fed your friends."

I spun towards my friends to verify this, and Dominic nodded. "It was delicious."

Some of the anger fled, but I carried on. "Despite all your attempts to be 'hospitable,' the fact remains that you put my friends in a dungeon! If you don't let them out right now, it's no deal."

Luke loomed over me, but I sidestepped being trapped against the bars and faced him with my hands ready to box. He looked down at my hands and gave me a beleaguered expression. "As much as you want to paint me into a villain, My Lady, I am the only protection you have against the Consul and your grandfather."

My hands balled into tighter fists as I struggled with my temper. Luke was right, and I knew nothing.  "Let my friends go, and we'll talk about trust." I tried to sound as polite as possible between my gritted teeth.

He straightened his shoulders, then looked down his straight nose at me. "I shall let them go if you give me your word to accept me in your court fully."