The Thief and Prince

Chapter 26: Apologies

Stepping out, I quickly make my way over to Laria and Amiri. As Thomas follows closely behind, his lantern illuminates their faces and I see that Laria's eyes are red and puffy from crying.

"I'll get us out of here—one way or another. I promise," I tell them.

Laria gives me a nod and sits down on the dirty floor of her cell, too exhausted to respond.

"Let's hope so. I'd rather not wear a rope necklace—wouldn't match my eyes," Amiri teases, forcing a grin. I can't help but give a light laugh, appreciating that no matter how dire our situations might be at times, he always finds a way to stay in good spirits.

"Come, Cora," Thomas tells me, "The sooner the better."

Giving my friends one last reassuring nod, I turn and follow the eldest prince up the winding stairs of the tower, relieved when we step out into the hall and inhale the fresh air. A figure to my left catches my attention and I stiffen when I realize it's a guard. He turns to look at me and through his golden helmet I make out a pair of brown eyes.

Looking down at his sword, sheathed and on his side, I quickly try to work out a plan to wield it from him. Perhaps I wouldn't have to kill him if I could just knock him out? In mere moments he will alert the others that I am free so I must act fast.

Just as I begin to take my first step, Thomas quickly sticks out an arm in front of me, blocking me from the guard. "Easy easy. He won't say anything, Kris is my friend," he tells me, his eyes giving away his apprehension.

Pressing my lips together, I study the guard for a brief moment and give a curt nod. "Let's go then," I say, glancing at Thomas. He turns on the balls of his feet in one swift motion and I quickly fall in-step behind him. When we turn a corner and begin making our way down another corridor, I notice him looking at me side-eyed.

"What?" I mutter.

The corners of his mouth turns upwards in bemusement. "I don't think it would have been the best idea to go and kill a royal guard of Paevia, do you?" he asks in a hushed tone.

Scoffing, I roll my eyes and try my best to navigate the stretch of hall as silently as possible. "Seeing as that I'm already on bad terms with the kingdom, I don't see how it would make much of a difference. And besides, I wasn't going to kill him, just knock him unconscious..." I whisper back, pausing at the next corner.

Thomas pokes his perfectly carved face around the wall and looks both ways before pressing on and I follow suit. "I can see why my brother fancies you. You've got...spunk—grit even. That mixed with good looks is an uncommon combination but here you are," he whispers and I can't help but feel my face heat up at the strange and sudden compliment. "Crispin is lucky to have found someone such as yourself," he adds, turning back to glance at me.

I shoot him a scowl, not allowing him to see how a few simple words affect me. "Why don't you focus on taking me to your father and stop acting like some predator?" I ask, trying to sound annoyed though I'll admit, I enjoy his compliments.

Thomas shakes his head slowly and stifles a laugh. "Yeah, you and my brother are a perfect match alright," he says, and we make another left before heading up a flight of stairs. When we reach the top, I'm not surprised to see a gaggle of guards standing by a doorway and I assume that this must be the king's quarters.

Thomas gives them a nod and points at me with his thumb. "Don't mind her, she's with me," he says as we pass by. They turn their heads and look at one another before focusing back on us as we come closer. I stop in front of them and turn to see Thomas who has passed the door and is still headed towards the end of the hall. He must notice the lack of another pair of footsteps because he turns his head and motions for me to follow.