Maybe (COMPLETED)

Chapter Forty Two

I unstuck my frozen limbs. I followed the voice; to the left. It was darker. I saw a row of cells. So this is the dungeons. 

"Isaak." 

It was then that I recognized that voice. I spun around to face it, in the cell to my left. A body was chained to the wall; shirtless, bloody, bruised. Familiar dark eyes met mine. Desperate. 

"Mekhi." I whispered, stepping back. Confusion enveloped my mind. "You... you..."

"I know. I know." He groaned, resting his head against the wall behind him. His arms were outstretched either side of him, chained. "I'm a heartless traitor, a backstabbing, evil fucking monster. I've heard it already."

I gaped at him. If my heart was erratic before, it was killing me now. "What are you doing here?"

"You won't believe me." He hissed. "What's even the fucking point."

"What are you doing here." I repeated. So many cuts were scattered across his chest. My body pulled me forward until I was grasping the bars separating us. 

His eyes lingered on me, they were so sad, so full of regret. He shifted himself, grunting from the effort and the pain, cringing. "I tried to get out of here. With Ash." He scoffed, eyes glinting with fury and frustration. "Didn't get very far." 

"Where's Ash now?" My voice trembled. 

Mekhi took a few breaths. "I don't know." He growled. "With Colm, maybe?" He tugged lightly on the shackles. "In the throne room."

"Where is that?"

Mekhi's eyes met mine again. Wary yet defiant. "I could take you there."

I almost agreed right there. But I ate the words before the could make it out of my mouth. "Why should I trust you?" I spat.

"You shouldn't. But to be brutally honest, what other choice do you have?"

I continued to stare at him. Horrible conflicted. 

He sighed. "Look, I'll admit it. I was the bad guy. I spun lies and false stories, and tricked everyone into trusting me. I dragged Ash all the way back here, to be used as a weapon in war. But believe me when I say this; I care for Ash. More than I ever fucking wanted to. I couldn't stand there and just watch Colm ruin him. And I definitely can't just be chained here, letting Ash face Colm all by himself, with no one at all to help him." He glared at me. "We both have the same goal here. To help Ash."

"Where is the throne room." I demanded. 

Mekhi's eyes studied me, for a long moment. "Go back up those stairs, four flights." He closed his eyes in thought. "There should be a painting of an older man with dark hair and a crown that looks like a sun - the late King Darmen. There may be a few guards down that corridor, so be extra careful. Turn left, and then you'll have to turn right. There will be double doors. There are two guards at that door you'll have to kill. Through that door is the throne room." He opened his eyes. "Colm will be there. Don't underestimate him, and don't trust him. He's a good actor."

He passed the test, I thought. 

"How do I get you out?" 

His eyes widened in surprise, and took a moment to respond. "Th-the keys on that wall. The one with the red string, and the black one." 

I quickly took them. 

"Red for the door, black for these shackles."

I unlocked the door, hesitantly stepping towards him. I knelt down, my eyes gliding over his wounds. I placed the key in the lock, twisting until I heard the click. 

An arm around my body, pulling me forward. His mouth against mine. I gasped in shock at the intrusion, but didn't push away from the unwanted attention. He reluctantly let me go. "Sorry." He looked down. I moved to his left wrist, hands shaking now. "I'm so sorry..." he whispered. 

As soon as his other arm was released, he sighed and rubbed his wrists. "Also, thank you." He slowly stood, leaning on me for support. 

"Are you okay?" I asked, the memory of his lips fading from mind. I could only think of Ash. 

"Yes." He closed his eyes, taking another shaky breath. He walked through the gates, hunched over, but still strong. "We need to hurry." He muttered. 

Together, we rushed up the stairs. Four flights. A painting of the late King. His dark hair and dark eyes watched me as we walked past. We turned left. 

Mekhi halted me with one arm and reached for my weapon. "May I?"

I nodded. We rounded the next corner;  Mekhi with my sword raised. The two guards jumped in surprise, eyes gliding from me to their commander. 

"High Commander Mekhi-ran?" One asked. 

"I'm sorry." Mekhi grunted. 

They didn't stand a chance. Mekhi lunged forward, and with three blows, both men were at our feet, still and lifeless. 

"I'm sorry." I repeated his words. 

He turned his gaze from his fallen men to me, confused, bewildered. "Why?"

"You have to kill your own men."

He looked away, eyes and jaw hardening. "They are no better than the King. No better than I was."

He shoved open the doors. 

To those who were hoping it was Mekhi... your welcome!

3rd day in a row yippee!

Love you guys :):)

Baby xx