Page 87 of Wings of Ice and Steel

Somehow that was worse than if it was still in disarray.

It took all her will not to carry on when all she wanted was to scream.

At the entrance to her wing, two more guards stood at rigid attention. They jumped as she barrelled through the doors, her own guard protesting as soon as he realised she was attempting to leave her wing.

Ariadnne wasn’t in the mood for niceties.

‘Take me to where they are keeping my handler’s killer.’

She growled, an earth-tremoring rumble that seeped the blood from her guard’s faces. Pale, fearful glances were exchanged.

Ariadnne tapped her foot, fingers curling into claws at her sides.

‘Should we send word to the Council…’

‘Now.’ Ariadnne snarled and the smallest guard quivered.

Her eyes flashed, her fingertips briefly elongating into silver talons.

‘Of course.’ The big one on the left saluted with wide eyes and gestured to his skinny companion to lead the way. Another glance was shared between them, but neither seemed willing to stand against the force of her dragon.

Good.

They escorted her through the marble rooms and courtyards. One in front and one behind. The rooms blurred, and then they were heading out of the main building, across the parade grounds stretching before the grand front of the castle, towards the dingy little door that provided access to the south wing and cells; the oldest, most crumbling part of the castle.

Flickering torches lit the plain stone of the corridor beyond, thin, slit-like windows allowing glimpses of the ocean crashing into the rocks below, while threadbare tapestries did nothing to mask the cracks and holes in the brickwork.

Ariadnne was led through a dark archway, a dank stairwell taking them down, deep into the subterranean levels where the air was stale and cloying.

A tired-looking guard sat at the entrance to the cell block on a small wooden stool. He jumped to attention as they approached.

‘The varanya has requested a few words with the General’s killer,’ the skinny guard said.

The prison guard stared at Ariadnne in a slightly leering way that set her on edge.

‘Has it been cleared with the Council?’ he drawled.

Her guards eyed each other.

‘Ok, then I’ll have to clear it with my superior.’

The prison guard sighed and disappeared through the door behind him while Ariadnne waited in uncomfortable silence.

It didn’t take long for the miserable fellow to come back with a greying, stout guard holding an air of responsibility.

‘What’s this?’ he said brusquely. ‘I understand you’re here to see the White Knight?’

‘I am, sir,’ Ariadnne replied. ‘My dragon demands I look into the face of my handler’s killer. She won’t take no for an answer.’

She let the scales ripple. The captain stared at her, before turning to the prison guard.

‘I don’t see the harm in it, providing she is supervised.’ He cleared his throat. ‘You two.’ He pointed at Ariadnne’s guards. ‘Take her down the corridor. She’s in the last cell on the left.’

They opened the door, the creak echoing through the chamber. Ariadnne’s jaw clenched as she stepped through.

It was time to face the truth, and her mate.

Thirty-eight