Chapter 73 THE TOWER

Chapter 73 THE TOWER
Keira lay beside Valen in the quiet of his tent, her body still and her eyes open as she watched the slow rise and fall of his chest.
Even in sleep, he looked like a man carved for war, strength resting beneath his skin, power held in check rather than spent. There was something about seeing him like this, unguarded, unaware, that settled something deep inside her while at the same time making it ache.
The man who had met her in blood and fire.
The man who had seen her for what she was and had not tried to tame her.
The man who would have stood between her and anything that threatened her, even if that thing was a king.
Keira shifted slightly, propping herself up on one arm as she studied his face, her gaze tracing the line of his jaw, the faint marks of battle that would fade while others would stay.
She leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. She knew she loved him, but she just wasn’t ready to admit it yet. She rose with stealth, dressing quickly and quietly. Pulling on her furboots, shorts, and leather top.
"It's time to go," Cairo said. "The camp is quiet."
Keira slipped out before Valen woke, the bittersweet memory of his sleeping form lingering in her mind as she stepped into the cool night air.
She had taken no more than a dozen steps from the tent before her body slowed of its own accord; something in her resisted the next step. It pulled at her chest, subtle but insistent, like a hand she could not quite see closing around her.
Keira stopped.
For a moment, she simply stood there, staring into the dark beyond the camp, her breath steady, her body ready, yet something inside her was unwilling to move.
Valen.
She could still feel the warmth of him, the weight of his presence beside her, the quiet strength that had not tried to cage her, only stand with her.
If she turned back now, he would wake to her there.
Cairo’s voice came softer this time, less edge, more knowing.
You feel it.
Keira let out a slow breath.
“Yes.”
And you still go.
Her jaw tightened, something fierce settling into place.
“I have to, this is who I am. I am not a housecat.”
Yes, this is what Warcats do, replied Cairo.
Keira did not look back again.
The camp lay still, embers glowing low, warriors sprawled where they had fallen into sleep after victory.
Keira moved through them like a shadow, unseen, unheard, her steps light enough that even the most alert guard would not have marked her passing.
Cairo fell into stride beside her the moment she reached the edge of the camp, her presence a steady force at Keira’s side.
"You did not tell him we are leaving," Cairo observed.
Keira did not slow.
“He would not want me to go, not alone.”
“He would follow?”
“Yes,” she said quietly. “And I need him to arrive with an army.”
Her jaw tightened.
“I will get the girls out. Then he can take the rest.”
Cairo’s tail flicked.
"You would trade yourself for them? For whores?" Cairo pressed.
“Our friends, remember Cairo.”
“Yes,” said Cairo, “I feel it.”
With a glance back at the silent camp, they ran, determination fueling their movements as the mission truly began.
Maren, Lita, and Faye. She could not let them suffer under the mad king. She would face him herself and fight or exchange herself for their freedom. She had full faith that Valen would come with his barbarian horde. She just had to protect her girls until then.
The journey felt more dangerous as they neared the castle. They had to avoid being seen at all costs. Cairo ran at her side; together, they slipped through towns, past the King's soldiers, and toward the captured girls.
They ran into trouble at the last town, as they were spotted by a small patrol of the King's soldiers.
She and Cairo killed them clean, then hid the bodies. They would be found but not immediately.
They were soon within striking distance. Keen-eyed and cunning, they watched the castle, identified its weak points, and made a plan to strike.
"I can climb the wall unseen," said Keira. "You patrol outside." "Yes," said Cairo. "Be careful, Keira; they all know of the Warcat, and they will be watching for you."
"They will have to catch me first," she said.
As night deepened, she realized she had a vague idea where she was going and who she might trust for help.
The Queen.
Kiera made it past more soldiers and guards, then melted into the shadows, unseen.
She was soon standing near the Queen's tower. She scaled it from the outside, her claws biting into the stone as she climbed, her movements fluid and controlled until she reached the balcony.
She found the Queen alone, as she often was, and Keira entered her room silently, determination firming her resolve.
The Queen startled.
“What are you doing here?”
“I'm looking for the girls I came here with last time. I know the King has them. Where are they?”
The Queen shook her head, fear flashing across her face.
"It is too late for them. Go. He is a cruel, vicious man, and you are walking straight into his trap. You must leave," the Queen said.
"I cannot. Those three are here because of me; if I have to trade myself for them, I will," Keira replied.
“Then you have a good heart.”
Keira flinched at those last words, thinking of Valens betrothed Brenda Goodheart.
“I need you to tell me where they are.”
“He has placed them in the eastern tower; you should stay away, please, I beg you, do not go.”
"Never," said Keira. "Tell me, when this is all over, and Valen is King, should we save you, too?"
Tears slipped down the Queen's face.
"I fear it is too late for me to be saved. I cannot leave while the King lives. He will kill too many innocents if I were to go," said the Queen.
Keira felt her heart harden more towards the King.
"Fine, then I shall leave you now," she said. "I will never tell anyone I was here."
She left the Queen crying and made her way to the eastern tower. It took time as she had to make sure she remained unseen. She paused at every turn, listening, letting the palace breathe around her before she moved again.”
The eastern tower had one entrance, a steel door at the bottom, but looking up, there was a window. Keira unsheathed her claws and climbed. The girls would be there, she knew it.
Entering the window, she stilled. Dust covered the room. She looked for footprints and listened for noise. The room was empty.
Cairo, she called out through the mindlink, they're not here.
Then return quickly, little one, I fear you have walked into a trap.
The hackles on Keira's neck rose, and she felt a crackle in the air. She retreated back towards the window, but it was too late. A magical barrier had been placed over the window.
Keira spun, a snarl ripping from her throat as her claws drove into it, testing, searching for weakness.
“Fine,” she muttered, “the stairs it is.”
The guards' noise hit her then; there were many of them, running up the stairs.
The door of the room was locked, but Keira managed to open it with her claws.
She stood at the top of the stairs, knowing she had the upper hand; they would fight up, while she would fight down.
Perfect, she thought.
She could feel Cairo pacing outside the walls.
Stay, twin, wait for me. It is no good if both of us are caught, Keira sent to Cairo.
The first guard moved into view, sword raised, aiming for her.
Keira did not hesitate.
She launched forward, claws flashing, her body moving with lethal precision as she struck the first man down before he could even blink.
The second fell just as fast before the air tightened and magic slammed into her.
Chains formed from nothing, wrapping around her arms, her body, dragging her back with brutal force.
Keira fought it, her muscles straining, her claws tearing at the unseen hold.
But it did not break.
The Queen moved up the stairs, tears still flowing down her face.
"I'm sorry," she sobbed. She raised her shaking hands as the chains tightened.
Keira bared her teeth, fury blazing.
“Traitor, witch.”
“He gave me no choice,” the Queen whispered. “I hope you can understand one day.”
Keira yowled, lashing out against the magic that held her. She could almost feel the chains break, but then the Queen shakily raised her hand one last time, and they pulled tighter.
“I wish you had listened to me,” the queen whispered, her sad eyes still full of tears, her fragile body shaking like a leaf.
The guards carried Keira to the throne room; she didn't make it easy on them, hissing and spitting all the way.
The same room where she had been offered to the King by Flora for ten thousand silver.
The guards dragged her in and unceremoniously dumped her on the floor. She wouldn’t look at the King; she wouldn't give him the pleasure; she kept her head down.
But his booming laughter travelled to her, enraging her.
"Oh, Wildcat, you have caused my guards so many problems, but now you are here, and I won't be letting you leave anytime soon. You are mine," the King declared.
Those words caused Keira to spit in rage.
She raised her head in fury, her claws slipping out unceremoniously, preparing herself to lunge, even though the shackles still restrained her.
She was stopped in her tracks by the sight of the woman standing at his side.
Selene was looking at her, smiling sweetly, like the cat that got the cream.
“Looks like I’ve finally put you in your place, Wild girl.”
“You won’t live long enough to enjoy this.”
The King's eyes sparkled as they settled on one of his guards. He beckoned him over and she noted the guard gulping as if his throat was particularly dry.
He is terrified, noted Keira.
Nevertheless, the guard brought forward a greatsword.
“There will be death today, but not Selene.”
Then he laughed.