Shadow Crown by Kristen Martin

Author:Kristen Martin [Martin, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Shadow Crown
Publisher: Black Falcon Press
Published: 2017-10-02T16:00:00+00:00

RYDAN HELSTROM

RYDAN IS DISMAYED to see a burly shadow walking toward him. It’s been two days since he’s seen Vira, and he’s hoping that today she’ll visit. He worries that something’s happened to her, or that perhaps she’s been assigned elsewhere now. Had someone eavesdropped on their conversations? Had he unknowingly gotten her into trouble?

Rydan gulps as the shadow, which happens to be a hefty man, comes into view. He recognizes the guard almost immediately. It’s the same one who led him off the ship from Lonia and to his fate in this wretched dungeon.

“Happy to see me?” the guard grunts as he fumbles with his key ring.

Rydan bites his tongue, afraid that if he answers, he’ll only get himself into more trouble. Something he really doesn’t need right now. Or ever.

After a few tries, the cell door opens. “Hands,” the guard orders. Rydan does as he says and extends his hands, watching despondently as heavy metal clinks around his wrists, locking securely in place. The guard yanks him from the cell, causing him to stumble over his own two feet. “This way.”

Feeling weak on his feet from lack of food and sleep, Rydan trudges up the stairs. Seeing as the guard’s hand is resting heavily on his shoulder, his pace is slower than normal. More and more energy is exerted, leaving Rydan partially out of breath as they reach the top of the stairs.

“Keep going,” the guard orders as he changes position to lead the way. Rydan is pulled forward, and he quickly realizes he’s heading toward a familiar area. The Great Room.

Hope flickers within his mind, but is quickly extinguished as multiple scenarios begin to infiltrate his thoughts. Tymond had made it clear that his trial wouldn’t be for at least two years. Hadn’t it only been a few weeks? A month at most? His stomach turns as another thought surfaces. What if this has something to do with Elvira?

As they approach the Great Room, Rydan can’t help but feel lightheaded. He stops walking, but having fallen behind the oaf of a man, the guard tugs on the metal to keep him moving forward. Rydan howls as he loses his balance and falls flat on his face.

“Get up!” the guard yells. With one hand, he grabs Rydan by the scruff of his neck and pulls him up.

“Forgive me,” Rydan pants. “I haven’t eaten in a couple of days.”

The guard eyes him warily. “I suppose that would explain your inability to walk straight or stand upright. I thought you were just drunk.”

Rydan guffaws out of exhaustion and hunger, but mostly disbelief. “Believe me, I wish that were the case. Tell me, have the other prisoners been getting special treatment? Have I been ruled out for some reason?”

The guard rolls his eyes, ignoring his jest. “Follow me.”

Much to Rydan’s delight, they pass the Great Room and head straight for the dining hall. His eyes glaze over at the sight of trays and trays of croissants, sausage, ham—even the bowls of clumpy porridge look appetizing.

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