As Kasiam and the guardsmen escorted Amira through the upper floors of the palace, the Queen''s regal bearing contrasted with her lack of clothing. The blanket she had wrapped herself in was thin and clung to her curves, revealing too much with every step. Her captors remained oblivious to her discomfort as they continued their unerring progress.


    As they left the apartment, Prince Regent Kasiam had slipped to her side, his hand resting on her arm as if to claim her as a possession. Determined to break his grasp, she decided to confront him. "What do you hope to gain with this charade?" She demanded, allowing disdain to lace her voice.


    If the question had any effect, he showed no sign. Instead, the Regent looked at her sideways, and his gaze lingered too long where it should not.


    "Not a charade, Majesty," he replied. "I am rectifying a situation that I should have addressed at my brother''s death."


    "And what do you mean by that exactly?" she asked, some of her apprehension came through in her words. She had guessed his intentions, but hearing them admitted aloud brought dread.


    He chuckled with a sinister glint in his eye. "As King, I shall be assuming full control of the realm."


    "You''re insane," she scolded him in disbelief. "I am Queen, and my son is Heir. The council will never allow this."


    A deep crimson spread over the Regent''s face as anger monetarily overtook his judgment. He quickly recovered his composure. "As I told your pet knight, the council is no longer in place, and I have already dealt with any opposition. I have significant support among the remaining lords."


    With his anger subsided, his face regained its usual pallor. "Regarding ''the Heir,'' we have him under our thumb now," he continued with a hint of steel. "Some among the lords have doubts as to his parentage and thus are uncertain of his legitimacy. Given the circumstances, it''s unsurprising. Have no fear, Majesty. Not only will I be King, but I have already won." He flashed a grin, and his eyes revealed the depths of his greed and lust.


    Doubt surged within her as she faced him, though she refused to acknowledge the possibility of his success. Had he indeed garnered enough support and sowed the seeds of doubt? He may be able to seize power. She felt frustration as her mind reeled back to her husband''s past neglect. If only he''d involved her in the realm''s affairs, she might have been able to block this plot or at the least had enough support to prevent it. As it was, she was helpless, a captive with no power.


    Stolen story; please report.


    As they neared their destination, a new fear washed over her. She recognized the final stop: the tower! Historically, it was a prison, a place of exile for troublesome nobility—those whose imprisonment within the dungeons would bring too many questions. They approached the stairwell, guarded by two more of Kasiam''s liveried men who smartly stepped aside to allow their passage. The guards accompanying them halted there, genuflecting to their lord before departing.


    Kasiam urged her forward with a push; his leering gaze lingered on her backside as she mounted the stairs; she could feel it. Amira remained silent, though, her mind full of worry. Where did they have her son? She dared not voice the question aloud, fearing he would use the child against her. She suspected deep inside that he would likely already have a plan to do so.


    There was a small landing at the top of the stairway, and the door ahead was guarded by two more men. The door was flung open ahead of them to reveal her prison. "You will remain here," Kasiam announced. "I will return later to speak to you. Your son is within, awaiting your arrival."


    Back in the hallways of the royal apartments, Chase lay beside the guard he''d killed. Panting, his body exhausted, the blood from both of their wounds mixing in a macabre pool. He knew he could not linger despite his pain and weakness. The noise of their struggles was sure to draw attention. With effort, he pushed himself to his feet. He swooned a bit, but his racing mind left no time to wait. Amira, his love. He had to save her, to free her. Her parting words rebounded within his mind, "Resist when you can, escape!" Yet, with no aid and little hope of success, the task seemed impossible.


    Escape was his only chance for survival, his only hope for freeing Amira. He needed a plan and allies. First, he needed to leave the palace, then the city. His determination renewed, he navigated the labyrinth of the palace corridors, his eyes darting side to side as he scanned for potential threats. Weakened, he stumbled, forcing him to keep his movements slow and deliberate.


    A stroke of luck and the late hour ensured his lack of discovery, though he worried that the body he''d left behind would eventually be discovered by a servant or passing guard. He avoided the main halls, using service ways to navigate the palace. Finally, he reached a small, unguarded door leading to the palace grounds. The silvery glow of moonlight that bathed the grounds illuminated his way. He stayed close to the shadows of the wall, heading for a secondary gate leading into the city.


    He had to pause twice to avoid patrolling guards, their dark livery proof of Kasiam''s control within the palace. Discovery would mean capture, leading to torture and death. As he neared the gate, his heart beat a pounding thump within his chest. A single guard stood sentry, in his state a potentially formidable obstacle. Desperate, he took a bold and confident stance as he approached the gate, his demeanor a mask of confidence that belied fear.


    The lone guard watched Chase''s approach with a wary eye, though no genuine alarm. His orders were to prevent entry with no mandate to stop those exiting the grounds. Chase continued his confident stride, closing the distance between them. The guard opened his mouth to speak, his confusion evident as Chase was bloody and half-naked. Sir Praxton''s fist connected to the guard''s jaw with surprising force before the man could utter a sound. The guard crumpled to the ground, knocked out from the blow. Seizing the opportunity, Chase slipped through the gate and into the city.