‘I’ll fix this,’ D.C. mouthed.
Alex smiled ruefully, fully aware that they would have a difficult time coming up with an acceptable excuse for her attack on the ruling monarchs of Medora.
The two guards frogmarched Alex out of the ballroom and through the resplendent corridors, before hustling her down a dark, winding staircase that led underneath the palace. Once they were on level ground again, they strode past more guards wearing armour and through what could only be described as an ancient stone dungeon. Fortunately, it was empty of prisoners—as far as Alex could tell.
They stopped in front of a grimy cell and she was shoved none too gently into it. One of the guards immediately pressed on a touch-screen TCD terminal attached to the wall and a semi-transparent barrier appeared, zinging with what appeared to be live electricity. It didn’t take a genius to work out that the barrier could do some serious damage, but Alex still had to struggle against the temptation to touch the almost hypnotic entryway.
When the guards took up sentry positions opposite her, Alex began pacing back and forth in the small space, preparing herself for whatever would come next. It wasn’t long before she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and a young woman stepped into view. She had dark hair and striking features, and wore a black uniform with a gold emblem stitched above her heart—two swords crossed together behind a crown.
“I’m Warden Jeera,” the woman said without preamble, her title telling Alex that she, like Bear’s dad, was one of Medora’s peacekeepers and responsible for the safety of the kingdom. “And you just tried to carry out an assassination attempt on the king and queen.”
Alex sucked in a startled breath, realising that her current circumstances were perhaps more dire than she’d presumed. “I didn’t—”
“What’s your name?” Jeera interrupted.
Swallowing thickly, she answered, “Alex.” But at seeing the Warden’s I-hope-you-can-do-better-than-that expression, she cleared her throat and quickly added, “My full name is Alexandra Jennings, if that helps. I’m Princess Delucia’s best friend.”
The Warden raised a sceptical eyebrow. “I’ve never seen you at the palace before. That doesn’t sound like best friend behaviour to me.”
“We only met last year,” Alex defended. “We go to Akarnae together—we’re roommates, actually. You can check if you want.”
“You’re a student at Akarnae?” Jeera asked, her head tilted thoughtfully.
“Yes,” Alex said. “I’m about to start as a fourth year. Provided that you let me out of this cell sometime before tomorrow.”
Jeera’s face transformed as if she’d come to a sudden understanding. Her harsh demeanour changed into something that looked very much like amusement. “Epsilon Combat, right?”
Alex felt confusion wash over her. How could Jeera possibly know that?
Before she could ask—or confirm her answer—Jeera waved her hand and said, “Never mind. But answer me this: if you claim to be the princess’s best friend, why did you just attack her parents?”
Alex shook her head in denial. “I didn’t attack them.” When Jeera’s brow rose again, she amended, “I can see how it might have looked that way. But I promise there’s a perfectly good explanation.”
Even though Jeera opened her mouth, it wasn’t her words that responded to Alex’s statement.
“This I’d like to hear,” came a dry male voice. “Especially given that you accosted me and my wife in the middle of our waltz.”
inst h er.
Two
Alex’s eyes widened when the king stepped into view outside her cell, but she quickly came to her senses and dropped into a curtsey. “Your Majesty.”
“Alexandra Jennings,” King Aurileous returned. “I’ve heard a great deal about you, and none of it leads me to believe you have any kind of ill intent towards my family. So, tell me, what brought on that display upstairs?”
“I’m not sure what to tell you,” Alex answered honestly, looking from him to the now very clearly entertained Jeera and back again. “You see—”
“Alex, where are you? We’ve come to bust you out of here!”
She groaned at the sound of Jordan’s whispered voice echoing along the stone corridor. Only he and Bear would think they could break her out of a palace dungeon. Actually, considering both of their gifts, they probably could get her out, but that would just cause her more trouble when she was inevitably caught again.
She looked at the king and he gave her a ‘go ahead’ gesture.
“I’m over here,” Alex called weakly, hoping they’d have the presence of mind to get out of there while they still could. But no such luck, since a few seconds later, both Jordan and Bear sprinted around the corner and came to a wide-eyed halt.
Jordan rallied himself first and said, “Uh, hello, Your Majesty.” He bowed regally, with Bear following his lead. “We didn’t expect to see you down here.”
“I’m sure you didn’t,” the king said with a touch of amusement. “Nor did I expect to see anyone but my guards and their prisoner. For future reference, no one has ever broken out of my dungeons before. Or been broken out.”
Jordan sent him a cocky grin. “With all due respect, Your Majesty, there’s a first time for everything.”
Alex couldn’t believe he’d actually said that—and to the king of all people—but she was more shocked when the monarch smiled.
“Indeed there is,” King Aurileous acknowledged. “But not in this case, I’m afraid. Unfortunately—”
“You have to let Alex go! She was only trying to help me!”
When D.C. came running around the corner mid-yell, Alex felt the need to bang her head against the cell barrier, regardless of the live electricity. So much for trying to keep her identity a secret, she thought. What a wasted effort.
“Dix? Is that you?” Bear asked, squinting into the shadows where D.C. had skidded to a stop at the sight of him and Jordan.
“Sweetheart, what are you doing down here?” the king asked.
“I… Uh… That is…”
For the first time since Alex had known her, D.C. appeared lost for words.
Jordan, however, looked like he wasn’t sure whether or not to laugh. “Did the king just call you ‘sweetheart’?”
There was a loaded silence where everyone appeared to be waiting for someone else to jump in and explain what was going on.
In a quiet voice, Alex said, “Dix, you’re going to have to tell them now.”
Bear glanced between them. “Tell us what?”
D.C. looked like she was frozen to the spot.
“Dix!” Alex called, trying to snap her friend out of her shock.
D.C. flinched and locked eyes with Alex, begging for help.
“Tell them,” Alex encouraged softly, and D.C.’s shoulders sagged.