The Exile's Promise (Burden of the Banished Book 1) by Elizabeth A. Drysdale

Author:Elizabeth A. Drysdale [Drysdale, Elizabeth A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798889170020
Publisher: Stag Beetle Books
Published: 2023-03-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Eight

Tristan is silent as he leads me through the grounds and back to the castle. The tension between us has only grown and I almost regret pressing him to help me. Almost. I can’t waste time worrying about whatever it is about Captain Wimark that’s gotten Tristan into a tizzy.

The rocks are hard under my feet, shifting like water as we pass over them. I try to focus on all the individual stones instead of the frustration rising within me.

Why should Captain Wimark freak him out? Isn’t Tristan a Captain, too? Wouldn’t that put them on the same level? I’ve never been intimidated by the other ship’s children. We’re all the same.

Tristan opens the door to the castle for me, not meeting my questioning gaze as he ushers me inside. Every part of him is tense. His jaw looks sharp as a razor as he grinds his teeth.

I expect him to lead me into the parts of the castle I’ve already walked past, but instead he opens a door to my left and grabs a torch to light the stone stairs twirling down into darkness.

“After you,” he says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

My breath hitches in my chest and I wipe my clammy hands on my dress before starting down the stairs. Tristan follows a step behind me, torchlight flickering on the walls.

The farther down we go, the harder I find it to breathe. My chest refuses to expand, as if my brain has forgotten how to force it. The only sounds are the crackling of the fire and our soft footsteps.

The stairs twist around in a tight circle as we descend and I run my hand along the cool stones to keep from falling. As the staircase straightens out, I can make out a dim light. Someone else is down here.

“Let me do all the talking,” Tristan whispers as he brushes past me into the hallway.

The light comes from under another door and Tristan gives it a sharp rap before swinging it open on rusty hinges.

A man with a body like a boulder sits behind a desk, a single candle lit on his table as the source of his light. In contrast, Tristan’s torch is bright enough to make the other man blink.

“Have you seen Captain Wimark?” Tristan asks.

The man gives him a lewd grin. “Who should I say is asking for him?”

“How about you just tell me where he is?”

“No can do. His locations are a secret to all except the necessary few.”

“Consider me the necessary few,” Tristan says with a hard smile.

“How can I do that if I do not even know who you are?”

Tristan rolls his shoulders. “Tell me where he is now and I will forgive this encounter.”

“You’ll forgive this encounter?” The man stands, his body filling the whole back wall. “Are you threatening me?”

“Only if I have to.”

Tristan’s hands stray towards his sword which hangs from his scabbard. His body loosens up as he prepares for a fight.

“Captain Wimark’s location is a secret of the King.

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