𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒// 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐔

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟏𝟐// 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧

"Two Aureoles attempted to break Prince William out of his cell, Your Majesty."

King Abaddon laughed. "I'm impressed that they finally figured out who took their precious prince and general. They probably used that meeting as a diversion." He turned to General Ramirez-Arellano. "The Aureoles are getting desperate. Put more guards around the cells of the prince and general. We don't need our main festival entertainment making a getaway before the event."

Reyna dipped her head. "It will be done, Your Majesty." She turned and walked out of the throne room, her cloak billowing behind her.

King Abaddon lounged on his throne, staring off into the distance. Nico stepped into the torchlight. "Your Majesty, I have a proposition for you."

"Yes, di Angelo?"

"As you know, over the next couple of days, the temperatures will drop to freezing." Nico fiddled with his tunic sleeve. "The prisoners in the dungeons will be in danger of dying."

"And?"

"As you said, we don't need our festival entertainment getting away before the event. I have a feeling that dying from the cold will fit in that category." He raised his gaze to the Shade King. "I suggest that we move the general and prince to the upper levels of the palace for safety. We keep them separated, in wings of the palace that are no longer in use, so that they won't be discovered easily, whether accidentally and otherwise. And, of course, have guards."

King Abaddon smiled. "A good idea. I'll bring it up in the council later."

Nico bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You are dismissed."

Nico saluted, slipping into the hall that Reyna had vanished into.

☀️☀️☀️

Lee hissed in pain as Kayla yanked the arrow out of his leg, his hands spasming into fists. He took a deep breath, then pressed his hands to the wound, calling on his power. Muscle and flesh knitted together beneath his fingers, making him grimace.

The two had met with the Aureole court at the planned rendevouz point. Upon seeing they did not have the prince and general in their possession, they immediately knew it had proved unsuccessful. Seeing the pain in Queen Naomi's eyes had threatened to break Lee.

A desperate plan had been conjured on the spot: Lee and Kayla would stay behind and wait for further instructions. If a messenger didn't come for them at least three days before the festival with a plan from the Aureole Council, they would have to act on their own. Make their own plan and execute it. If there wasn't a messenger, there would at least be backup. Hopefully.

Now they resided at an inn a mere block from the palace, already cooking up a backup plan. Lee had forgotten about the arrow in his leg until Kayla had pointed it out and offered to help.

"The Winter Solstice is a week and a half away," Kayla said, swinging her legs on the bed. "I have a feeling after that fiasco, the king will increase guards and supervision over Will and Michael. Trying to break them out beforehand might not work."

"So what do you suggest we do?" Lee snapped. "Breaking them out beforehand is the only way."

"Not necessarily."

Lee blinked in surprise. "What?"

"We could break them out right before the event." Kayla leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "No one would be expecting it."

"But there's gonna be security, which they'll no doubt increase now due to our attempt. It'll be impossible to get past the guards."

"Not if we pose as guards."

Lee stopped mid-sentence, considered the statement.

"It's only an idea," Kayla added with a shrug. "We have a week and a half to plan this out."

Lee nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, we do."

"For now, we need to gain more intel about the festival." Kayla rose from the bed, blue eyes gleaming. "I'm going to go scout the palace. We need to know when they rotate shifts. You stay here and rest; that wound may be healed, but you'll have some trouble walking."

Lee opened his mouth to protest, but found himself unable to, and shut it again. Kayla's mouth twitched slightly. Then she slipped out of the room and down the stairs, tugging her hood over her head.