The Death Kingdom

Chapter Twenty-Two

As we hurry along hallway after hallway eventually we make it out of the servant's quarters and into the rest of the main castle. It's even quieter in these hallways, and darker too. The candlelight flickers, casting everything in an ominous shadow. Every sound has me holding my breath, the hairs on the back of my neck sticking straight up.

I want to ask what Prince Kavi was able to tell his brother but now isn't the time. I'm going to have to wait until we're safe if we ever make it that far.

Prince Auden freezes up ahead, swinging his arm back to stop Prince Kavi from moving another step. He presses a finger to his lips and I roll my eyes. As if we're going to be making any noise at this specific moment. Prince Auden must see my eyes roll because his eyes narrow at me. I can tell he's dying to tell me off, but he turns his head back around to assess the threat around the corner.

We stand there for another few seconds, and then Prince Auden waves us on. The guards must've kept going in another direction, that was lucky.

We quickly make our way past that hallway and another before Prince Auden slams his hand into Prince Kavi's chest and waves us to go back the way we came. We sprint back down the hallway we came from and after we round a corner Prince Auden stops us.

"We might have to fight our way out at some point," Prince Auden whispers, glancing back and forth between me and his brother. His eyes settle on mine. "How are you feeling?"

"Ready to get the fuck out of here by any means necessary. I'm good to fight." I slowly pull the dagger out from behind me and twirl it in my hand.

Prince Auden smirks at me and gives a confirmatory nod turning to his brother. "Stay behind us."

Prince Kavi is quick to oppose. "I can fight. Saige has been training me."

Prince Auden's head whips to me.

I give a shrug. "He's gotten much better—"

"He still needs to stay back." He turns his attention back to his brother. "You're still the Crown Prince."

"After tonight I'm not so sure," Prince Kavi replies, voice low.

All of our heads snap up when we hear footsteps approaching.

"When they come around the corner," Prince Auden whispers, nodding to me. He shifts his stance, preparing to fight. My curiosity is running wild, I find I want to see what Prince Auden looks like when he's fighting. I want to see how he's been trained and what he can do.

I push Prince Kavi behind me and he gives an indignant huff. I may have been teaching him to fight for a few weeks, but he still has so much to learn. Now isn't the time to let him see where he's progressed to.

The guards come around the corner and we're on them before they can even register we're there. Prince Auden immediately engages two, reaching for the first soldier's sword still sheathed. Once he gets his hands on the hilt of the sword he pulls it out and parries with the sword of the second soldier.

I pounce on the third. Blocking what would've been a blow to my face. The soldier hasn't even pulled his sword out, probably underestimating me. I duck down and use my leg to sweep him off his feet. He hits the ground with a groan and I jump on top of him, pinning him to the ground. I slam the dagger into the side of his head and he lays there, mostly unconscious. It'll have to do for now.

I look up and see one soldier already on the ground and Prince Auden fighting with the other. I scramble up from the ground and make my way over to their fight.