Page 83 of Royal Hunt
“I’d think they’d get as far away from the army of people who want to murder them,” I said wryly, popping the last bit of cheese into my mouth. The tangy flavor exploded on my tongue.
Ellis huffed. “Yes … Well, you’d think that.”
We hurried down the back corridor of the palace, not seeing another single soul. Ellis paused in front of the wall and banged hard on one of the panels. A small square section of the wall swung inward, revealing a dark passage.
I groaned. “I thought we were done with all of this?”
He grinned. “I know how much you love to skulk. Besides, the official story is that I’m indisposed from the battle. Viana has agreed to delay her trip and oversee things while we’re gone, which means no one can see me leaving. Maven is staying as well to assist, while Mixen is traveling to the Eastern Realm to check on things for Viana, and Matthias returns home. Nessian as well, though Lyra is staying here with Viana until she can control making her wings disappear. They don’t think their people will take having a winged princess that well.”
I blinked as Ellis crouched down into the tunnel, quickly disappearing into the darkness.
“You’ve been a busy boy,” I mumbled to no one.
He’d arranged all of this while I was sleeping? When did he rest?
I got on my hands and knees and followed him into the wall, turning and latching the panel behind me. I tried to ignore the feeling of panic and claustrophobia as inky blackness swallowed us.
“That’s awfully nice of Viana. I thought she was eager to return to her own kingdom.” I kept talking, trying to chase away the fear and unease I felt.
From somewhere ahead of me Ellis chuckled. “Well, I know something about her kingdom no one else does.”
“Oh?” I questioned, trying to catch up to him.
“She has a … paramour back home; a very high ranking noble who is extremely rich—”
“And keeping everyone in line until she returns,” I finished, feeling foolish. “He must be pretty powerful to keep—”
“She,” Ellis interrupted. “She is quite formidable, almost as much as Viana herself. I’ve heard their fights are legendary, though.”
Now I truly felt like an idiot. All those times I’d been jealous of Viana and Ellis, and she hadn’t been a threat at all.
“Ah,” was all I managed.
We crawled along in silence for a while, slowing around corners and pausing so Ellis was sure of his way. After I felt like I couldn’t handle the oppressive silence any longer, the tunnel widened out. I recognized this passage as the one that led to the stables.
“Stop a moment. I had a ladder put down here, just need to make sure—Ah, good. There it is.”
His hand brushed mine, grasping my fingers and bringing them up to feel the rough wood of the ladder.
“Well, that makes things easier,” I commented. The wood creaked as Ellis began climbing up. He scrambled as he pushed the heavy, camouflaged door up and over.
It was a relief to see him so much stronger than the last time we’d been here.
Light flooded the small chamber, forcing me to shield my eyes and blink furiously. I climbed up blindly until my eyes adjusted. Ellis was at the top, pulling me safely off the ladder and onto solid ground.
“About time. You’re slow.”
I turned as Viana stood with her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently. I blushed at seeing her so quickly after Ellis’s revelations. Two horses were fully tacked behind her, saddlebags bursting with supplies.
“I had to make sure Eve ate,” Ellis replied, unapologetic.
“Without eating yourself, probably,” Viana shot back.
I stepped between them. “I’ll ensure he eats,” I assured her.
Viana rolled her eyes. “Thank the gods. You’re the only one he does anything for.” She ignored my fresh blush as she handed me the reins, patting the horse’s neck fondly. “Don’t die.”
I could only nod as I mounted, watching with grudging respect as Ellis mounted the other horse with a decent amount of grace and confidence. I looked down at Viana, knowing I owed her something.
