Of Blood and Roses

Chapter 33

"Jourdon?"

I gripped my sword as he slowly stepped over the other guard's body He pulled his weapon from the guard and sheathed it. He glanced at the sword in my hand.

"I have to agree with my brother on one thing, you are sure full of surprises." He pressed his lips together, the humor falling from his face. "You can lower your weapon. I'm not going to hurt you."

I winced but only lowered the sword a fraction. When he stepped closer I moved back, not yet willing to let him any closer.

"Don't come any closer."

I remembered all of Pierre's lies. There was no knowing where Jourdon stood in all of this. Did he believe his brother? I remembered the blankness in his gaze after Pierre had revealed all my failures. Jourdon had every reason to hate me.

He sighed. "I don't want to hurt you. Now hurry, we need to go quick before anyone notices."

I glanced over at Sabine, still not sure if I should trust him. "We can't leave without Sabine."

Jourdon tightened his lips into a frown. I knew what he saw when he looked into the other cell. Sabine was a heavy heap on the ground.

"Ophelia..."

"I'm not leaving her behind."

Jourdon's gaze was hard. Harder than it had ever been before. I had no doubt some of what Pierre had said had gotten through to him. Before he could argue, a murmured voice interrupted him.

"I can go on my own. I...I can walk."

We both paused. Sabine was moving painstakingly slow. It was too dark to see the details of her face, but I knew it was difficult due to her shallow breaths and the thumping of her heart.

"Was it true? That you went to him that night?" Jourdon whispered.

Guilt made my stomach sink. I kept my blade steady, still not ready to lower it. "Yes. But that was not the whole story. I thought you wanted to kill me, Jourdon."

His jaw clenched but then he closed his eyes, exhaling slowly.

"I was afraid you would misunderstand my intentions...but I thought I made myself clear."

I let out a deep breath. Sabine stumbled to her feet in the cell beside us. I knew I deserved to feel guilty about Jourdon's pain.

I looked away, careful to not look at Pierre. He wasn't moving, blood pooled around him. Even after everything, my heart clenched. I told myself it was because I had never killed someone before.

"Jourdon... you have to understand. I was afraid. Alone... it doesn't justify anything, but Pierre was...there. He was just there."

My voice trembled, but I forced myself to keep it straight. Jourdon let out a deep breath.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be there."

His words stung. I didn't deserve his apology.

I lowered my gaze, along with my sword. The heavy weapon clattered to the ground.

"I'm the one that should be sorry."

Jourdon let out a short laugh. Beside us, Sabine moved, now on her feet. Jourdon glanced at her, and the brief glimpse of vulnerability faded from his face.

We exited the cell. I quickly moved to Sabine and slung her arm around my shoulders. Her limbs hung limply around me, and I mustered what little strength I had to support her.

Her breaths were short and shallow, her face bruised and bloody, but she was looking around, aware. The sharpness I had grown familiar with glinted in her one unswollen eye. Guilt made my stomach turn and I fixed my gaze ahead.