Fireblood (Fireblood 1)

I open my mouth, unsure of what to say. Before I can utter a word, he turns on his heel and marches down the hallway. As I watch him go, I shake my head, trying to clear my muddled thoughts. Before stepping into my chamber, I glance once more down the corridor.

Devlan is at the end of the hallway, his hand braced against the wall, talking into his communicator. I quickly dip inside my room and peek around the wall. He slams his hand into the stone and backs away, looks down each hallway, and says something into his device. Then he puts it into his vest and stalks off at a fast pace.

This time, I decide I’m not too tired to discover what’s going on. I know Devlan has many secrets and, as he said to me, I plan to discover them.

I silently close my chamber door and briskly walk down the corridor after him. Tonight, I will find out at least one.

FIFTEEN

I’m relieved my riding shoes have thick padded soles. I easily slink along the corridors, my footsteps light, making little sound as I search for Devlan.

I saw him turn left down the hallway toward the back of the castle. I know I did, but now I’ve lost him. I look between the two corridors once I reach the open hall. Each passage is long, leading to either wing of the castle, and I could roam for hours before discovering I took the wrong one.

Damn it.

Avoiding knights, maids, and the courtiers of the castle is taxing. Finally, I decide to take the right. If nothing else, I’ll explore and learn my way around here. Or get lost, and have to call Devlan on the communicator and look like an idiot.

The torches cast creepy shadows along the corridor, and I walk for what feels like forever before finally reaching the end of the hallway. There’s only one way to take: back the way I came. It’s a dead end. Rooms along this end of the wing are empty, I suppose used for guests, but there is no one here.

I’m two seconds from turning around, ready to end my search, when I hear muffled voices. I freeze, straining to hear which room they’re coming from. But they don’t drift from a room. They’re coming from behind the wall—the dead end.

I place my hands to the stone. It’s cold and solid. A cool draft blows across my ankles, and I follow the chill air to the corner of the corridor. I press my hands along the crevice, feeling stupid. Then, something clicks, and the corner swings in, revealing a dark passage.

My heart hammers in my ears, and apprehension coils tightly around my chest. Devlan might not be here at all. This might be some secret room of the servants, or the Force. I could stumble into something that will get me tossed into the Oubliette or worse.

I consider what I’m about to do—sneak into some hidden chamber where I may learn things I never wanted to know—long and hard.

Curiosity wins out.

Against my better judgment, I force my fear away and take a step inside, beginning my descent. Stairs lead down a dark tunnel and only one torch is lit to guide my path. The voices grow louder the deeper I go. I can hear them, strained, angry. Footsteps pace back and forth.

With each footstep I grow braver until I reach the bottom step. I stop and press my back to the side of the narrow tunnel. Shadows flicker against the wall before me, and from around the corner the voices come clearly now.

A loud bang echoes as something slams. “You don’t get to make that call, Larkin.”

My heart constricts. It’s Devlan’s voice, and he’s shouting at the Round Table knight who stormed my home. I should leave now before I’m found out spying on their meeting.

“Devlan,” Larkin says, his voice gravelly. “You said it yourself. You’re not sure where her loyalties lie now.” He pauses a moment. “Her affections for the prince could play out in our favor. We should stick to the original plan.”

I grab my chest and squeeze my bodice. They’re talking about me.

Another voice, one I don’t recognize, says, “The original plan is no longer in play, as Micah is no longer the leader.”

“Oh, shut up, Xander,” Larkin says. “We get it. Stop reminding us your precious Fallon is in charge.” He huffs. “Wish I had bedded her. Maybe then I’d get to call some shots around here.”

“You fucking bastard,” the guy growls. There’s a hard smack, and shouting among all three breaks out.

“You hit me!” Larkin accuses. “You asshole. You’ve been here all of what…two days? And you think you can come in and change everything? Devlan should’ve never demoted your ass to footman. He should’ve thrown you out. Actually, I should just finish out my orders.” He laughs hollowly. “You were a sorry excuse for a knight of the Force, anyway.”

“What’s wrong, Larkin?” Xander asks. “Scared I’ll tie you to a tree and leave you there this time? Or that my girlfriend will kick your ass again?”

“Shut. Up,” Devlan shouts. “Both of you.”

“You’re not the commander anymore, Devlan.” Larkin chuckles mockingly. “And your first knight status doesn’t mean you get to call the shots, either.” A beat. “Why are you even here, Xander? Really?”

It’s silent a moment before Xander answers. “I have my reasons.”