Bound by Her Love: Bound by Her Blood Book 4 by Mara Leigh

Author:Mara Leigh [Leigh, Mara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781989318119
Publisher: Half Dome Press
Published: 2020-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Selina

Ana bought me a few hours of rest when we returned at dawn, but then I’ve spent what felt like ten hours alternating between history and legal lessons and various forms of combat training.

“Has the sun gone down yet?” I ask her, as she walks with me from the Academy to the palace. “When can I go see them again?”

“The sun has not yet set,” she answers. “And your schedule doesn’t allow for time outside tonight. I will try to arrange for flying lessons, but you must be patient.”

Patient isn’t my strong suit. I heave a great sigh, then I notice a door, leading from the long tunnel that I haven’t asked about before.

“Where does that door lead?” I ask Ana.

“The prison.”

I stop short. “May I see it?”

Wrinkling her nose, she tips her head to the side. “Why?”

I shrug, not even sure of the answer myself. “Have you seen inside the prison?”

She shakes her head.

“Well, it seems to me that if one of us is going to be queen—”

“You are going to be the queen,” she interrupts.

I let it pass. “Then I’d like to see how palace prisoners are treated. You’ve shown me all the luxury, shouldn’t I see the worst of it too?”

Ana nods, but looks worried.

“What?” I ask. “Are they using ancient torture techniques down there? Silver and sunlight?” I think of Xavier’s dungeon and a shiver traces through me.

“I am not sure this will be good for you.” She rubs my arm. “After what you told me about your own captivity…”

Her concern warms me. And the way I froze when Pike and I went after Xavier, does make me wonder if I’m up to seeing the prison, but it also makes me more sure that I should.

“My past is why I care so much about how the prisoners are treated.” The contrast between Gray’s cell at FSJ and Xavier’s dungeon was night and day, and I want to know where the palace prison falls on the scale from cushy accommodation to house of horrors.

“Okay.” Ana looks like she’s gathering courage. “I understand.” She lifts and drops the heavy knocker that looks like it’s a thousand years old, and the roughly-forged metal lands hard against the wooden door, but I also hear electronic bells ringing.

Almost instantly, a voice calls out.

“Oui? Who is it there?” A male voice comes from someplace I can’t pinpoint. We both look around, and spot a tiny camera mounted above the door, pointing down at us. There must be a small speaker beside it.

Ana speaks, “It is Her Royal Highness, Princess Selina, accompanied by her lady-in-waiting, Anastasia. We are requesting a tour—” she stops herself “—we are here to inspect the prison.” She winks at me, clearly pleased with how she reframed our visit.

“Right away,” the voice says, and in less than a minute, the door swings back to reveal a vampire who looks like he could have been in his seventies when he transitioned. He’s panting.

“Your Highness.” He bows. “I am Grégoire, Head Palace Jailor.

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