Burned to Ashes

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The hard cot lays cold against my back, my gray eyes trailing over the thick stone walls. The murmur of conversation drowns on around me but I am deaf to it, my mind moving rapidly with thoughts. I am unable to tell what time of day it is, the sun the farthest thing away from this room. My hands travel to my throat where the necklace sits. I fight the urge to tear it off, the cold metal digging into my skin. I think for a moment what if we did align with Calise and her people. We might have a better chance at success then we will doing this alone. But I need to go to my father. I need to speak with him. I do not wish him to be the man that everyone describes him as, but I know well enough that they are right. But he is all I have. My hands clench the chain around my neck; the metal warming under my skin.

"Kalea." Ansel's voice cuts through my thoughts, snapping me back to attention. I sit up, greeted by everyone's eyes. "Are you alright?"

I raise my eyebrows, suddenly aware that I have been silent this entire time. "Yes." I reply confusedly. From next to him Emery scoffs, her tan arms crossed over her chest. I narrow my eyes at her. "I was thinking."

"My apologies your majesty," she leans forward, her lips pulled back in distaste, "but we have more pressing matters at hand."

"Alright." Allister says with clenched teeth, willing her to back down.

"We are escaping. Today." Emery ignores him, her blond hair falling over a shoulder. "So cooperation on your part would be much appreciated."

I rise from the cot, brushing down my tunic. "Speak louder, why don't you?" I say, meeting her eyes. "There is a guard right outside."

She opens her mouth to respond but Natura speaks over her. The princesses normally quiet presence now becoming loud and clear. "We need you to tell us everything you saw while you were outside." She says, looking between me and Xavier. The prince has hardly said a word since yesterday; only sighing every so often.

"As if we can simply walk out of here." Emery's voice is coated thick with annoyance.

Next to her, Desmond clears his throat. "It's a start." He nods his dark head to me. "Go on."

I stay silent for a moment, thinking back to our meeting with Calise. "We are in the barracks. There are soldiers everywhere. Outside there is a courtyard; a big open space surrounded on all sides by the walls of the building. Inside the building there are great expansive hallways, with windows, staircases, and doors. I don't know where they lead."

"There are also smaller cottage-like structures stationed around the base." Xavier adds, everyone turning to him as he speaks.

Allister swallows, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. You can feel the tension in the air. "Where do they keep the weapons?"

The prince tilts his curly head. "Like they would tell us that?"

I am quick to retort before Xavier's words can linger. "We saw many guarded doors. They are most likely behind one of them."

"And how is that supposed to help us?" Emery says, throwing her hands on her hips. "We can't get the damn door open."

A pensive looks passes over Natura's face, her green eyes grazing the walls.

"What is it?" I ask, knowing that she has thought of something.

She meets my gaze, her red hair like burning flames. Her voice drops to a whisper. "You said there is a guard outside?" I nod. She turns, looking at the door. We all do the same, wondering what she is thinking. "What kind of lock does that have?"

Xavier raises a light eyebrow. "A latch. Why?"

The semblance of a smile forms on the princess's face. "I think I have an idea."