Chapter 292 Close call

Chapter 292: Chapter 292 Close call

Talia’s POV

The guards were at the cell now. I could hear them shaking the bars, with their voices loud and harsh.

"This one is locked," a guard said.

"Break it open," another voice commanded.

I heard the sound of metal striking metal, and I felt my heart pound in my chest. They were trying to break into the cell, which meant that, they were going to find us.

I held my breath, and I prayed to the Moon Goddess. “Please, Moon goddess. Please do not let them find us.

The metal clanged against the bars, and I heard the lock groan. Then I heard a voice.

"Wait," a guard said. "There is someone in there."

I felt my blood run cold.

"It is a prisoner," another guard said.

"Be careful," a guard said, with his voice low. "This one is dangerous. She uses voice magic."

Another guard laughed. "Voice magic? She has been in that cell for fifteen years, and the silver has drained her. She cannot do anything."

"The king caught her himself," another voice said. "He said she was the most powerful Silvertongue he had ever faced. That is why he keeps her alive."

"Powerful?" the first guard scoffed. "Look at her. She is nothing but skin and bones. She could not even lift her head."

"The silver would not let her use her magic even if she tried," another guard said. "But still, be careful. The king’s orders are to keep her alive, not to let her escape."

"Just keep moving," a guard said. "She is not going anywhere." The old cell gate sounded, like it was been pushed back. ℯℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

A thick voice of a guard sounded. "Do not bother closing the gate. It is just the woman, so move on. The intruders would not be stupid enough to lock themselves in that cell."

The gate shook again, and then I heard the footsteps moving away.

We stayed completely still, just waiting, to make sure that the guards were gone.

Then after a moment, we heard footsteps walking closer to our hidden spot.

I held my breath as one of the guards stopped near the alcove. “I thought I heard something coming from down here.” he whispered to himself.

I could hear his breathing, heavy and slow. He was so close that I felt like, I could smell the sweat on his skin.

"Hey," another guard called from a distance. "What is it?"

I felt Kaelen tense beside me, and I pressed myself deeper into the shadows. My heart was pounding so loud that I was sure they could hear it.

"Nothing," the guard said. "Just shadows."

"Then move.” The other guard yelled. “We have more cells to check."

The guard hesitated for a moment longer. I could hear his footsteps, as he dragged his feet around for a little bit more, and I could imagine his eyes scanning the darkness, and searching for any sign of movement. Then he turned and walked away.

"Check the next corridor!" a guard shouted.

The footsteps faded, and the voices grew distant. I let out a breath I did not know I was holding, and I felt the tears streaming down my face.

Kaelen’s voice was weak. "Are they gone?"

I listened. The footsteps were fading, and the voices were growing distant.

"I think so," I whispered.

I pulled back from the alcove, and I peeped out, and looked at the cell gate. It was still locked, but the guards had moved on.

I waited a moment longer, just to make sure that the guards were truly gone. Then I stepped out of the alcove, pulling Kaelen with me. He stumbled, with his legs barely holding him, and I wrapped my arm around his waist to keep him steady.

"Come on," I whispered. "We need to get to the cell."

We moved slowly, and carefully, staying close to the wall. I reached the cell gate and saw that the guards had not fully locked it. The lock was loose, but barely hanging on.

I pushed the gate open, and it swung inward with a soft groan. Then I helped Kaelen, so that he could sit closer to my mother’s cell bar, but not too close, so that Kaelen would not be affected by the way.

I looked at my mother, and I saw the relief on her face.

"That was close," she whispered.

I nodded, and I felt the tears streaming down my face. "Too close."

I looked at Kaelen, and I saw the exhaustion on his face. He could not keep going like this.

"Kaelen," I said. "We need to get you out of here."

He shook his head. "I am not leaving you."

"Please, Kaelen..." I started to say.

"Talia," he said, cutting off my words. "I am not leaving you."

I looked at him, and I saw the love in his eyes. I still do not know why he would rather die, than leave me alone in this dungeon.

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could speak, I heard the guards returning. Their voices were loud and harsh, echoing through the corridor.

"Check that cell again," a voice commanded. "I want to make sure."

I felt my blood run cold. They were coming back.

I quickly pushed the gates back, the way the guards had left it, then I pulled Kaelen back into the alcove, pressing us both against the cold stone. The shadows swallowed us again, and I held my breath.