Book 2. Liam - The sewers 1

Book 2. Liam - The sewers 1
Not many people in Athea knew about the sewers—mostly those living in the poorer parts of the city, such as the port and the slums. Those of the upper class were largely blind to many things happening in the capital of Nodor, especially ladies born into wealthy families.
Judging by her clothes, Kara was probably from a modest family, which also explained why her child would be born out of wedlock. Many men preyed on vulnerable young women who dreamed of a better life for themselves and their future children. Liam couldn’t condemn them for that, but he did despise the men who refused to take responsibility for their actions.
Liam was angry on Kara’s behalf and wanted to find the lowlife who had put her in such a vulnerable position and condemned his unborn child to such a terrible fate, for no child—bastard or not—should ever be punished for the sins of his parents.
Kara held her hand out to him, patiently waiting for him to make up his mind, but she couldn’t possibly have guessed the turmoil brewing inside him.
He wanted to take her hand. He desperately wanted to wrap his fingers around hers and disappear beneath the city, never to be seen again, but he couldn’t. Not only was he the king, responsible for countless lives, but he also had his son to think about. He couldn’t leave Nolan with Rosalyn, and the sewers were no place for a child his age.
“I can’t,” he said, sounding as conflicted as he felt.
A deep frown appeared between her brows. “I’m not asking you to abandon your family, only to accompany me into the sewers. There might be someone who can help us get Ivy and Essy out of here before something horrible happens to them. Aksel as well. We’ll return in the wee hours of the morning.”
Liam felt foolish. Disappointed, even.
He didn’t understand why he had assumed she was asking him to run away with her—nor why he had been so tempted to do just that.
Going into the sewers was dangerous.
Bastards, castouts, thieves, and all sorts of shady people frequented those tunnels. And now, with the Necromancer and his ungodly minions ruling Athea, Liam didn’t even want to imagine what new dangers lurked beneath the city. Taking Kara there was madness.
Yet spending more time with her felt like a blessing, a luxury he couldn’t afford but could no longer deny himself.
He took her hand.
If Kara was right, someone in the sewers might be able to save Lady Ivy. He owed Mina that much. But taking Kara there was so risky. But he needed her. 
“Let’s go,” he said, finally making his decision.
He would protect Kara with his life, and once they had spoken to the person who was supposedly able to help them, he would make sure she was safe and never returned to the palace under any circumstances. He would find her a safe place to live and, if possible, get her out of Athea, out of the kingdom, even out of the continent—send her so far away that the Order would never find her.
They slowly made their way to the kitchen, pausing from time to time to listen for any sign that someone had heard them, but at that hour of the night, even the demons seemed to be at rest.
Once inside the kitchen, Liam led Kara to the entrance to the sewers. For a brief moment, he thought of the dead servant Jayden and where Mina had found him not long ago, silently praying Kara would never suffer the same fate.
Kara looked around and even sniffed the air for a few seconds before pointing toward one of the tunnels. “That way.”
He wasn’t sure how she could navigate the maze of tunnels beneath the city, but he trusted her, which was rare for him these days, especially after learning the truth about Rosalyn. He couldn’t even bring himself to call her his wife anymore. The word itself felt like a mockery.
But Kara felt so different from Rosalyn. He couldn’t explain why he felt the way he did, given that he knew next to nothing about her, but he was certain his instincts were right.
“We will need weapons,” Liam told her as he guided her to a spot in the tunnel where he and his butler, Ryan, had hidden a sword and several daggers.
Kara lifted the hem of her dress, revealing her right boot, the hilt of a knife peeking out.
“I’m armed. Hugo would not—” She pressed her lips together for a moment. “I’m always rambling about things I shouldn’t.”
If Kara knew Hugo, that meant…
“You know where the bastards and the missing citizens are hiding.” It wasn’t an accusation, merely a realization.
Even in the dim light of the tunnel, Liam saw the color drain from her face.
“I’ll never reveal where they’re hiding.”
She hadn’t denied it, but he wished she had.
The less he knew, the better, for he feared the day he might make a mistake and draw the Necromancer’s attention to him. He didn’t want to think about what kind of information he would reveal when tortured. 
“I’m not going to ask,” he reassured her, “but tell Hugo that I need to speak with him.”
If anyone could help Liam in such dire times, it was Hugo.
“I will,” Kara said, but her tone was hesitant.
“Thank you. Tell him it’s urgent. He can choose the time and place of the meeting.” Liam hoped that would be enough to convince Kara of the importance of his request.
After Liam retrieved the sword from its hiding place, he followed Kara deeper into the sewers.

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