Love and War

22: Anastasia

Anastasia's POV:
(An hour before she reached Jonah)

I managed to escape the bedroom and was now running back to the concubines bedroom. I lied and told the soldiers that he wanted another woman with us.

They believed it and also believed when I told them the king demanded nobody enter until I return. Hopefully that buys me enough time because I am definitely not returning to this shithole.

At least not willingly.

I shook my head and focused on the task at mind. My thumb throbbed probably severely broken. I didn't look at it as I entered the concubines bedroom. It was past bedtime so it was dark and they were all asleep.

I blindly made it to Serena's bed and woke her up. "We are leaving... now." I whispered.

I accidentally bumped into a bed and winced at the sharp pain my finger was in. I whimpering staying quiet, not wanting to wake anyone.

She looked at me confused and I pulled her up. "We will be fine." I heard her whisper to herself like a mantra as I handed her a cloak and shoes so she wasn't just in her nightgown. I put on my own cloak and shoes and we ran out of there.

We hurried past trying to look casual.

She kept repeating that mantra under her breath. I ignored it and reached the staircase that led below to the dungeons. I discovered it a couple days ago when I was pretending to go eat something.

That day someone was guarding it but today...

I ran down with Serena at my heels. I made sure my breath was silent and my footsteps as well. I heard low voices and I knew they belonged to soldiers.

I crouched and Serena did the same. We crawled along a long stone wall towards those voices. Once I knew we reached them I peeked and they were guarding Jonah and Landon.

They were standing in front of their cells down the hall where we hid. Luckily it was nighttime so it was very dark.

I couldn't see Jonah but I saw Landon who was fidgeting with his leather bracelet. I grabbed the smoke bomb and threw it across the floor.

I waited a few seconds until I heard their bodies thump and I knew they were asleep. The dungeons were completely enveloped in thick white smoke.

I grabbed the cloak and covered my nose and mouth. Serena copied me and we sat there for a minute waiting for the soldiers to fall asleep.

"What are you doing? What if they wake up Jonah?" I heard Landon whisper.

I didn't hear a response but soon I heard a cell door open and I knew my plan was working. I grabbed Serena's hand with my good hand and yanked her up to follow me.

Her hands were shaking with fear but she stayed with her chin up wanting to be brave. I walked through the thick smoke until I met a set of piercing blue eyes.

I smiled and threw my arms around him not caring about the aching pain in my hand and about his own injuries. I was just relieved to see him up and breathing.

"Anastasia?" He asked and I nodded pulling back.

I don't think I was ever happier to see this man.

I turned to see Serena and Landon staring at each other. Serena's fear seemed to vanish and Landon seemed to be admiring her.

"Oh, we have to go now!" She said.

We all nodded and started running.

Running towards the back exit of the dungeons which led to the arena. Behind the arena I remembered should be our way out however I wasn't sure we'd make it.

Yes, we would.

I wasn't about to give up after everything we've been through.

"They're leaving! Get them!" A man's voice shouted.

Landon fumbled with the lock on the dungeon exit doors and I cursed under my breath. Serena looked behind her at the footsteps coming towards us. With each step, Landon's hands shook more and he couldn't unlock the door.

"Landon!" Jonah yelled and shoved him aside. With all his strength he slammed his body against the body and it shook.

He did it again and it burst open. He stumbled forward and only after grabbing my hand we all started running across the large arena.

***