Book 2 - Chapter 32

Book 2 - Chapter 32
Chapter 32 – The Queen Gains a Comrade

Hope returned to the eighth tower with ease and in the quickest time. She was certain now Solene was still there and with her there, she can act on her plan.

The idea was to act like a concubine again serving drinks, seduce Solene in her armored form, and bring her to a secluded location in the guise of them fucking. No one would ever suspect that. Not even Caym, who was still clueless of their real identities.

After fixing her mask, Hope strode to the open double doors with confidence in her chest. From where she was, she could see her beloved still sitting next to the bastard demon. And this time, true to the crow woman’s word, Solene took off her helmet.

She wasn’t enjoying the party judging from the frown on her face, and like earlier, her eyes were busy searching...and it was clear to see now, she was actually searching for her.

‘What twisted fate this is,’ Hope painfully admitted. Gehenna was really playing with their fates. They were already close earlier. They just didn’t know it was them from the start.

As determination etched her face, Hope continued to the aisle; however, just as she picked up a half-full pitcher from a nearby table, two servants clutched her elbows.

“Come with me, Concubine Hope,” Mistress Nakti stated behind her with a tone that brooked no argument.

Hope disliked the way the servants held her arms. She wanted to throw them past the balcony. She wanted to thrash about, run to Solene’s spot and take her. However, she was aware a certain someone was watching her. A pair of eyes that could easily break her plan if she indeed were to act on it.

Hope gave Solene one last glance before she quietly left the grand hall with the servants still on her sides. She didn’t think they knew about her actions. She didn’t think Mistress Nakti knew already about her true identity, so what was the reason why she was suddenly treated like a fugitive?

“Where are you taking me?” Hope asked as soon as she noticed they weren’t going to the harem tower. Judging from the bridge they took, they were certainly leading her to the seventh tower—the very tower where she had just been.

Mistress Nakti remained quiet. She continued to walk forward until they all arrived in a gloomy foyer where two giant stone sentinels stood.

“Here she is,” Mistress Nakti stated. “She killed Count Roswald so you should detain her!”

The servants handed Hope to the sentinels wherein a cage made of stone immediately rose from the ground and imprisoned her.

“Count Roswald?” Hope asked. She was not worried with the giants or the ground magic they held. She wasn’t worried about Mistress Nakti too, but she certainly wanted to know who the hell Count Roswald was.

Mistress Nakti tossed her a hateful look. “The satyr count you were with yesterday. That is Count Roswald. He is a very influential man in Master Caym’s court, and you just killed him.”

Hope twisted her brows and stared at the old woman sharply past the stone bars. “This is Gehenna. There’s always murder in every corner. What’s the difference with me killing him?”

“The difference is that you’re a concubine and we have one rule to follow: Never kill our masters,” Mistress Nakti answered, reciprocating the sharp glare.

Hope chuckled dryly. “What a laughable rule. So you’re going to detain me for that reason?”

“Yes,” Suddenly a man from the shadows of the sentinels emerged. “Aside from the fact that you have been a very sneaky, woman.”

He stepped into the light and all women except Hope bowed their heads.

“Master Caym,” they exclaimed.

Hope watched as another figure followed him. Not a surprise, it was the crow woman from earlier. She scoffed at this twist. Maybe she should have killed her instead? Maybe her warning wasn’t enough for her to be terror-struck?

“Mistress Nakti, I’ll take it from here,” Caym stated as he neared the stone cage.

The old woman bowed to her waist. “Yes, Master Caym,” she said and left the foyer with the servants behind her.

The crow woman remained cautious, standing behind the foot of the sentinel as if this could protect her from Hope’s wrath.

“I just found out I lost two of my best watchers today,” Caym started, maintaining a proud grin. “If not for Sayeera, I wouldn’t have known you sneaked here and made a fool out of my guards.”

Hope pulled out her damned mask. She hated the object. If she didn’t wear it earlier, Solene would have already recognized her.

“I know you are best friends with Solene, you begged me to bring you in this castle too, but do you really have to risk your life just to stay close to her?” he continued, rounding the stone cage as if he was checking its integrity.

“She’s important to me. I will risk my life for her,” Hope stated while lifting her chin. She fucking couldn’t wait to end this charade just so she could wrap her hand around his skull and crush it.

“Hm, that’s a good idea,” Caym stopped and snorted. “Why not I let you join the tournament too? You wanted to die with her there? I can grant that for you.”

Hope couldn’t be more than happy with his idea. “Yes, put me in the tournament with her.” She wanted to laugh out loud, but she kept her cool and gave him a determined look.

“Such fierce eyes.” He lowered his gaze down her legs, then back to her face. ‘Such a waste,’ he thought in his head. He would have wanted to hear this woman whimper in his bed.

“Very well,” he sighed. “But on one condition. You can join her if she survives round two.”

“She will survive round two. I am sure of it,” Hope declared instantaneously.

This made Caym smirk wider. “Good. Keep that confidence up. And pray for her. She’s going to need it.”

“Her voice is what she needs. Give her back her voice!” Hope declared. She gripped the stone bars tightly and snarled at Caym. If she couldn’t do this to Solene, might as well use this idiot demon’s power to her advantage.

Caym motioned for the sentinels with his hand, and the ground beneath Hope shook. She could easily escape from this sorry excuse of a cage, but she chose to be imprisoned for the meantime.

“Hm, I’ll think about it,” he said just as a sinkhole appeared on top of her. Her footing gave way and in less than a second, she was swallowed up by the earth.