Guild of Thieves (Book 1) ✓

𝓒𝓱.15 ~ 𝓖𝓻𝓸𝔀𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓽

Caine stood against the wall, staring out of the porthole window, looking into the distance for any signs of a hooded figure on a horse. He missed Arianna and wanted her to return safely, not knowing what he would do without her. He needed the healer because he didn't want anyone else to love the woman. Only he could love her.

The Leader of Thieves may not have shown Arianna much affection as of lately, but he did cherish the woman and their daughter. Having spent some time with baby Jezamine, he has grown attached to the child and she no longer cried when he held her in his arms, which was small progress to Caine.

He wished he could tell Arianna that he hadn't been completely ready to be a father...so when Jezamine came to be, it was a huge shock and change. Now after some time has passed by, Caine wanted to try to be a father and a better husband to Arianna. Hoping she still loved him too.

The thought of Arianna never returning made Caine feel sick, his stomach twisted into knots.

Maybe he had been a fool to send her on the insane mission...
Maybe he should have chosen someone else to do the job...

But what if she did return triumphant? What if his dream to be the wealthiest man in all of Arondale did come true?

Mixed emotions battled within the Leader of Thieves, Caine tried his best to ignore his feelings completely but he couldn't stop thinking about Arianna. The healer only had three more days left to complete her mission. Caine didn't want to think about what happened if she never came back...

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Finn entered the Meeting Room with a tray of food - a mixture of fruits, a bowl of oatmeal with a glass of orange juice. Food and drink that would just go to waste because Caine wouldn't touch any of it. He never ate until the mission was completed.

Although he knew his Leader wouldn't eat the food, he still brought a tray in every morning and evening for the man, but each meal was always left untouched. He hoped Arianna would be triumphant because if she didn't...

Finn was afraid that Caine would fully lose his mind and would not return from the inner darkness...

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Arianna needed to hurry before her time ran out, with only three days left to steal the gemstones for Caine. Spending the last couple of days learning the Guards schedules. Venus was right about the five minute break in between shifts and after paying attention, she knew the perfect time to sneak into the tower of light.

At midnight.

The Guards took ten minutes instead of five to change shifts and return to guard the door leading up into the tower. The time gap gave her enough time to steal the jewels and leave without being noticed.

When the clock struck twelve that night, she would be putting herself at risk but she needed to get the job done. There was no time to waste. Continuing to tend to patients and help the other healers, Arianna secretly plotted her escape route using the Maid Halls to get out of the Castle unseen. She kept her head down while she worked, repeating the plan over and over again in her head, having no times to make errors.

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Caine dozed off for a few minutes, his body fighting him as he tried to stay awake. He needed some well needed sleep but denied himself the slumber.
H

is patience was wearing thin as each second passed, wanting to hear some type of news or receive word from Arianna. If one more day goes by without any news or sign of the woman, he would begin to lose his mind.

He regretted his decision to send his love on the dangerous mission, missing her dearly. She was the best thief, other than Digger, who was no longer there anymore. Caine's first recruit and the most loyal friend he ever had and Caine sacrificed him like a pawn in a game of chess...

His regret soon turned to anger, but not towards himself or for his choices and decisions, but to those who failed and didn't return. He was angry at Arianna for not being swift with the mission and returning to him as soon as possible.

Arianna was his Queen after all.

To pass the time, he reached under the desk and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, something stronger than honey beer or fruit wine. Grabbing a glass from the drawer, he poured himself a drink, then another and another, until his emotions were numbed by the liquor.

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While the Leader of Thieves was absent, Finn stepped up to run the Guild until Caine was ready to rule again. He also took it upon himself to look after baby Jezamine when Caine was busy staring out the window of the Meeting Room. It wasn't easy being a temporary Leader or babysitter but he was managing.

The others didn't disturb Caine, and accepted any mission that was given to them. No one failed any job, which made Caine happy. Finn worried about what would happen to the next thief who failed a mission, knowing their leader didn't accept failure.

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Arianna waited until minutes before midnight to sneak past the Royal Chambers, making her way to the Tower of Light. She felt her heart racing as she neared the hallway where the Guards stood outside the door, there were also two in the tower itself.

Images of baby Jezamine flashed through her mind. She had so much to lose if she didn't get inside and make it back to the Guild...

When midnight struck, the Guards left, heading to the Guard's Quarters for shift change. It was now or never for Arianna to make a move. Running to the door, she raced up the stairs and smiled to herself. Now to just find the Royal Jewels and get the hell out of the castle and back to her daughter.