Gleam (The Plated Prisoner 3)

I hold all the power. Me.

With a shaky exhale, I dig down, brushing off the caged animal feeling and instead, I blow a breath against my anger to stoke it to life, using it as a shield. My anger makes me feel better, makes me feel more in control. It reminds me that I’m not the powerless favored he wants me to think I am.

Of course Midas locked me in. I should’ve expected nothing less. I should’ve been emotionally prepared. There might not be bars around me, but this is just another way for him to cage me in. My keeper has a new lock, but that doesn’t mean I’m trapped.

Gritting my teeth, I raise a fist and knock on the door, knuckles rapping loudly. “Excuse me?”

I don’t get a reply, which irritates me, because I know without a doubt that there are guards out there.

Pressing my lips together, I pound my fist this time and shout. “Excuse me!” I hear shuffling on the other side and then hurried whispers. “I know you’re out there! Is that you, Scofield?”

There’s another stretch of silence and then, “Yes, my lady.” I don’t have to see his face to hear his grimace.

“Scofield, my door seems to have jammed accidentally. Can you open it, please?”

“I can’t do that, my lady.” Yep, that’s definitely a grimace I hear.

I stare daggers through the door. “Why not?”

“King Midas’s orders. You’re to stay in your rooms today for your safety.”

“Is that so?” I ask through gritted teeth.

“Yes, my lady,” his muffled response comes.

“Scofield, open the door so we don’t have to talk through it.”

“Sorry, my lady, I don’t have the key.”

Anger fumes in my chest. “That conniving prick,” I hiss.

Scofield seems to make a choking noise. “What?”

“Not you,” I say with a sigh as I swipe a hand across my forehead in frustration. “Listen, Scofield, I need you to go get Midas for me.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Goddess, he sure has this one trained well.

“Why not?” I ask.

“Because he said when you asked me to do that, that’s how I was to respond,” Scofield answers honestly.

My eye twitches.

“His Majesty also told me to inform you that this is necessary.”

A scoff accompanies my rolling eyes. “I’m sure.”

Turning, I pace around the room, hands fidgeting in front of me as I contemplate what to do. I could stay put until Midas lets me out, but that option leaves a disgusting taste in my mouth, one that makes me grow increasingly claustrophobic.

I could also try and see what kind of damage my ribbons can do to the door, but the guards would definitely alert Midas if I tried to break out.

My eyes cut over to the balcony. Maybe I can sneak out instead?

I’m across the room before I can second-guess myself, and I slam the door behind me. Walking over to the railing, I assess my situation, looking all around. I’m on the third floor. Not terrible. Not that great either.

There seems to be a couple of jutting stones on the wall that I might be able to use as a foothold if I can lower myself from the railing slowly. That is, if I don’t slip on the iciness and plunge to my death. That wouldn’t be ideal.