Darkness Within
Chapter Nine
***
Duo Hauled her to her feet and spun her around. "There's one thing I want to teach you before you go. This will work if a man ever tries to grab you from behind."
When they'd gone through the demonstration enough times that he was sure she know what to do, Duo kissed her forehead and stepped back. "Get out of here. The guards will be making the rounds any minute now. And remember-a Queen never breaks a promise made to a Warlord Prince."
"I'll remember." She hesitated. "Duo? I won't look the same when I'm grown up. How will you know me?"
Duo smiled. Ten years or a hundred, it would make no difference. He'd always recognize those extraordinary sapphire eyes. "I'll know. Good-bye, Cat. My the Darkness embrace you."
She smiled at him and vanished.
Duo stared at that empty space. Was that a foolish thing to say to her? Probably.
A gate rattling caught his attention. He swiftly rubbed out the drawing of the Winds and slipped from shado to shadow until he reached the stables. He passed through the outside wall and had just settled into his cell when the guard opened the barred window in the door.
Zuultah was arrogant enough to believe her holding spells kept her slaves from using Craft to pass through the cell walls. It was uncomfortable to pass through a spelled wall but not impossible for him.
Let the bitch wonder. When the guards found the slave in the boat, she'd suspect him of breaking the man's neck. She suspected him when anything went wrong on her court-with good reason.
Maybe he would offer little resistance when the guards tried to tie him to the whipping posts. A vicious brawl would keep Zuultah distracted, and the violent emotions would cover up any lingering psychic scent form the girl.
Oh, yes, he could keep Lady Zuultah so distracted, she would never realize that Witch now walked the Realm.
***
TBC