(Book 1 in the Jahaerys series)
The land of Lysandre is at war with their former colonies in the islands of Demetria. A widowed father, a childless mother, a cursed prisoner, and a kingdom concubine must band together from the cells of Nophis prison...
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The key twisted in the lock with a clear Ch'ck, before Calliope pulled out the key with a single 'flick' motion. Brandishing the long brass finger of the key like a rapier, she thrusted the brass metal sharply into the soft gel of the guard's eye. There was a prominent squelch as the tip sunk into the sclera up to the shoulder, before the guard let out a yelp of pain, stumbling backwards with gloved fingers fumbling at his face. Lycill pushed past Jahaerys, still sprawled on the floor, gripping the back of the second guard's head. Following Calliope's example, he dug his thumbs into the wet bed of guard number two's eyes, nails scraping into the pupil as gluey eye juice burst out the sockets.
With the set of footsteps rushing closer Jahaerys pushed himself up, lunging for the now unlocked door. His hands slippery with blood as he pushed open their escape, the musty smell of the kitchen wafting up the stairs as the damp air breathed past the entryway. Calliope snapped her head back to Jahaerys, once she noticed the now open door, she grasped the shoulder of Lycill pulling him towards the door as the three rushed down the steps, into the dark.
The stairs were smoothed stone, steep and slick, causing the group of escapees to stumble against one another as they ran. They reached the bottom of the steps into an open kitchen area, counters wrapped around the walls with doors branching off each corner.
"WHERE NOW?" Jahaerys shouted, his hand braced against the wall with Calliope's hand wrapped around his bicep, whilst behind her she dragged a half upright Lycill mid fall.
"LEFT! QUICKLY!" She called back despite her lips resting right next to the blonde man's ear, causing him to pull away from the sound.
They turned sharply left, running forward down the kitchen tunnels as the floors turned from stone into frosted over dirt reducing any remaining friction.
"LEFT, LEFT!"
Jahaerys' hands scratched against the walls as he dragged them across to orientate himself. His fingers impaled by splinters as his hand grazed over wooden beams holding up the tunnels. He Touched the crease of the wall before his face felt it, slamming forehead first into the dead end.
"YOU SAID LEFT !!" Lycill yelled, anxiously looking behind him for the inevitable incoming of guards.
Calliope didn't respond as she squeezed past the skinny walls and Jahaerys chest as he pushed his back up against the wall, cradling his bruised forehead in his hands. The warmth of her breast brushing against his thin tunic as she passed, a brief respite from the chill of the northern air.
The elven woman put her hands flat against the wall, dexterous fingers splayed over each brick. Failing slightly to stay calm in the urgency, she cursed herself in her head, 'you should have been more prepared', 'Bringing liabilities along was stupid', 'Your blind trust in these fools will kill you' . The voice in her head pressed down into the squishy casing of her brain, each curse a fingernail digging into the cortex.
