A Queen's Sacrifice (Book #5)

Chapter Twenty-Two

If Godwin found out about what had happened, Eldon would never hear the end of it. He couldn't even believe it. He'd helped the enemy. He'd helped Elouise. Sure it wasn't a big thing and he didn't do anything except let her go, but still. Godwin wouldn't like that.

Eldon turned to his other side and sighed as he stared at the wall. The crickets were louder tonight and that usually helped him fall asleep. Tonight, though, they were just annoying.

He shut his eyes, hoping sleep would sneak up on him somehow. It probably would've—eventually—if the crickets weren't drowned out by angry shouts.

Eldon furrowed his brows and sat up, listening carefully. He couldn't make out any of the words, especially once noises and voices grew louder in the barracks. He groaned as he got out of bed and checked out his window. Down below, soldiers gathered around, bickering with each other and pointing toward the castle.

"What's goin' on?" Eldon demanded.

"Sir!" one of them greeted. "His Majesty has returned."

Eldon blinked slowly and glanced at the castle. Then he quickly changed out of his night attire and made his way over. He chased after Udolf and Godwin who were making their way toward the dungeon. Udolf peered over his shoulder first and rolled his eyes.

"Go to bed, Eldon," he grumbled.

"Tried," Eldon said, slowing his pace as he caught up to them. "I heard shoutin'."

Godwin grinned back at him. "Udolf captured Prince Avery and Lady Alaina. They were attempting to sneak into town. Wise of our leader to take matters into his own hands and seek out the enemy before they came to us."

Eldon squinted at Udolf. "Is that what you were doin' all day?"

"Of course it was," Udolf snapped.

"Ivy woulda had a different theory."

"Who cares what Ivy thinks? Her dragon failed the mission, so I did something about it. I took who those idiots are searching for. They'll be running around in circles looking for nothing."

Godwin threw his head back and laughed hard at this. Eldon wrinkled his nose.

They reached the entrance to the dungeon guarded by two knights who were unfazed by their presence. Godwin snapped his fingers, and one of them opened the door for him. He stepped through first, followed closely by Udolf. Eldon pursed his lips when he heard the angry shouts below—threats toward Udolf and to everyone who was loyal to him. And that encouraged him to walk in after them.

Prince Avery was locked in the first cell, banging against the bars and groaning in pain. Godwin and Udolf walked right up to him, and he growled like a rabid dog. Eldon stayed behind, concealing himself in the shadows.

"Where is my wife?" Avery hissed. "I want to see her. Now."

"How demanding," Godwin scolded. "That is no way to treat the people who are keeping you imprisoned."

Avery continued snarling at them. "Where is she?"

"I would never keep a lady locked down here." Eldon could hear the snicker in Godwin's words. "She is being kept safely elsewhere. Whether or not you will see her again depends on your behavior, Your Highness. It would be wise of you to treat me with equal respect. After all, I am royalty myself."

A sinister grin spread across Avery's face. He grabbed onto the bars again and tilted his head. "From what I have heard, you were the least favorite twin. A drunk... an embarrassment—" He stopped when Udolf pointed his scimitar to his neck. But then Avery chuckled and shook his head. "I am not afraid of you. Only a coward would steal the crown of someone else."