The Death Kingdom

Chapter Thirteen

I inhale a deep breath when the door to Prince Auden's rooms closes behind me. I nod to the guards and start walking back around the corner only to come to a halt when I see a procession of guards and servants walking around the king.

He must know what's going on beneath his castle, right? How could he not?

The graphic image of Kane's body fills my mind and I grasp the wall for support, a chill slowly spreading down my spine.

I shake the memory from my thoughts and stay hidden behind the wall, waiting for the king to clear the hallway, luckily, he's heading in the opposite direction from me.

But that's when I notice all the guards following him down the hall, leaving the door to the king's office unguarded and calling my name.

Bloody Nyer, the gods must be kidding. Have they truly given me such an incredible opportunity—or should I play it safe and hurry back to the servant's quarter before anyone notices me?

I slowly start walking toward the door, not necessarily planning on trying to get in, but more because I don't want the guards outside of Prince Auden's rooms to notice me standing at the corner any longer. Remaining as inconspicuous as possible is what I must uphold.

But the door is right there just waiting for me to open it and uncover secrets that could benefit the rebellion like nothing before. This might be the only opportunity I'll ever get.

I feel something rise within me. Determination and resolve course through me, urging on my movements toward the door. I whip a quick look over my shoulder to double-check I'm out of view of any of the other guards and then grip the handle of the door. I twist the knob to find it locked—which is unsurprising but reach down into my shoes for my lock-picking kit.

The spymaster told me to always carry the tool kit around with me and I've never been more grateful for such useful advice.

I make quick work of the lock, my breathing picking up with every second that ticks by.

When finding the secret passage down into the lower levels of the castle I'd been excited, but right now I'm terrified. I doubt anyone has ever been daft enough to attempt such a careless and perilous act. I potentially could've come up with some sort of excuse for getting caught wandering through the halls of the servant's quarter, but this is different.

Getting caught breaking into the king's office would mean the end for me. I would never get to see my father again, never get to laugh with Fynn or enjoy Akita's steady presence ever again. My life would be forfeit, and any kind of dream I had would never see the light.

My heart pounds in my chest, warring emotions and thoughts spiraling until my normally deft hands start fumbling. I'm so close to opening this door and there's still no one around, but what happens if I'm inside too long and guards show up as soon as I manage to make my way inside?

Panic rises in me like a flood—I can't do this, but then the lock clicks and my body moves before I can even form a coherent thought.

I'm inside the king's office.

I quickly shut the door behind me and lock it, hoping that if the king or someone does decide to come back I'll hear them trying to get in and have a sliver of time to hide.

The room is dark, the only light coming through the two windows on the back wall. The day is cloudy and gloomy, looking like the sky is a second away from unleashing a terrible storm.