Warlord's Ward

Persuading Them

Arms wrapped Sunny from behind and Tanya's voice rang out fiercely. "Was it necessary to scare the very life from her?"

"Yes." He said flatly.

Sunny twisted, breathing raggedly as she got a peek at her friend. "How is he doing this?"

She jerked from Tanya's hug and walked backwards.

I tried to skitter from her path but wasn't fast enough.

She rounded and spotted me. Looking like a terrified animal as her gaze scanned us all. "Wh-what d-do you want?"

Tanya made soothing gestures. "Calm down, Sunny."

"I'm okay." She slapped her face as testament. Showing she wasn't an illusion.

"Touch me." Tanya offered her cheek.

Sunny wasted no time in soundly slapping her. The tap of skin on skin ringing like a bell.

"You're real!" She covered her mouth to stifle a sob.

"But he-" She gestured to Killian.

"Tricked the King." Tanya cut her off. "He could've killed me."

Her gaze lifted to Killian. Grateful, for the first time. "But he didn't..."

"H-how?" Sunny looked utterly flabbergasted.

"It's hard to explain." Tanya said. Catching Sunny's shoulders to give her an urgent shake. "I need your help now."

"Is this a trick?" Sunny queried nervously.

I groaned aloud. Not again.

If we'd had to persuade her the same as we had Tanya, it could take forever.

***

"What do I need to do?" Sunny seemed to visibly settle.

"Do you remember me saying we were going to kill the King?"

She nodded stiffly. "Yes, but it's not possible."

"It is, if there is enough of us. Who do you trust?"

"Alyssa." Both Tanya and Sunny said together. As if locking in on the same wave-length.

"Not tonight." Killian shook his head slowly. "I've drawn enough attention for one eve. We're going to have to move carefully."

"But what if the King realizes his book is gone?" I asked anxiously.

"You stole it from him?" Tanya's voice rose.

"We had no choice, if we were going to free his sister."

"Then to kill the king." She asserted.

Killian descended on her so quickly that we all drew a step back. His annoyance consuming the room like smoke from a fire. Making it hard to breathe.

"Let's be very clear." He enunciated. "I'm not helping you kill him. It's too risky. I'll being you, your mages and let you sway them to your discord but when you're all making your move, I'm going to take those I can gather and get them out."

"We're to be the distraction then?" Tanya said acidly.

"No. You're going to kill the King. You said you believed you could."

"But-" She floundered. Giving him a confused look. "You-"

"I never said I'd help you."

She looked at me. "But..."

"Her neither." He snapped. "This was your agenda. I'm helping you get it together. But not to enact it."

"You don't think I'll succeed?"

"No."

"She will." Sunny defended urgently. "Tanya is fierce."

"We know." I laughed.

Making Sunny smile faintly. "Perhaps too much so on occasion."

"Of that we're aware also." Killian said coldly. He didn't make it sound like a compliment.

***

It was hard to watch him so cold.

He's not like that with me.

Not anymore.

I imagined that to them, he was terrifying. Stoic and icy.

Like I thought he was.

"Everyone needs to relax." He said. "Sleep much and eat little."

"I'm only rationed so much food for me and," He glanced at me. "Whomever I keep. We'll have to divide it between all of us."

"But we're going to be weak."

"Likely." He nodded.

Tanya chewed her cheek. "Bring us food the last day. We'll get our energy up."

He nodded in agreement. But his face showed clear ire at her trying to direct him.

"Please." She added.

Not used to pleading with anyone.

I felt a moment of pity. Wondering if King Detry had made her beg as part of her humiliation. How could someone do something so cruel?

Tanya had said she was in agony for days. Hurting to sit, stand, to walk, to do her work in the Training Gardens. She'd said that anything involving movement had been excruciating. And it had all reinforced her hatred for the King.

But she'd played it off fearlessly in the Training Gardens.

She's tough. I admired her strength.

***

Soon both women were napping. Tanya on her chair cot and Sunny on a blanket on the floor next to her.

Their fingertips curved around the others' in a light hand hold which had offered them both enough comfort to doze off again.

"We could all end up dead before this is done." Killian rubbed my shoulder with brushing fingers.

I lay curled along his chest. Looking to him for reassurance. Feeling impossibly safe in his arms.

I chewed my cheek. "I know. But as it stands, we're all dead anyway."

He nodded slowly. "You're right."

It is only matter of time before we'd all be found out for wanting to escape.

"Can I make love to you tonight?" He tipped down to question.

I peered up at him. Softening my expression. "Not tonight. They're right there."

He bobbed his head in understanding.

"Are you mad."

"No. Just sad."

"Because it might be our last chance?"

"Perhaps."

I twisted to lean over him. My hair falling around my face. "We're getting out of here, Killian. Then if you want me, I'll be yours. In truth."

He gave me a long study. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course, I do."

"Things will be far different when we're free."

"Yes. Then it will be my choice. And I choose you."

His blue eyes rounded in the dim light of the moon seeping in around the shutters. Making his features seem shadowy. "That is certainly something to look forward to."

There was a fierceness that took over his face. A severity that told me renewed determination had set in.

He's going to get us out. I was sure of it.

I believed in him. He can do anything...