Thirty-Seven Imogen

Doors screeched across the stone floor as guards went by, opening cells for breakfast. Orym groaned and rolled out of bed, shuffling around a bit before leaving the cell. Dianna shifted beside me, and I sighed, resting my head atop hers. I hadn’t slept much, and I did not feel like eating, not when Logan was so close. Questions circled through my mind. How long had he been here? What had he made him do? Then there was the one that made my heart ache. Was he still in there?

Dianna had snuck me up to the upper levels the night after the brawl, and seeing Logan damn near made me weep. I hugged him and hated that he did not hug me back. He stared at me, no flicker of emotions or life, just emptiness, and I hated it.

Dianna’s arms wrapped around me and pulled me close as if she felt my apprehension. She nestled her face against my throat and inhaled deeply. “You didn’t sleep last night. I’m pretty sure I have a bruise on my leg where you kicked me.” Her breath tickled my neck as she spoke.

“Sorry,” I replied.

She pulled back to look at me. “It’s because I took you to see Logan?”

“I think it’s a combination of everything, truly,” I said, brushing a kiss to her nose.

“I just wanted you to see him. I’m sorry.”

I pulled back a fraction to look at her. “I know. It’s not that. It’s . . . I had this hope that if I found them, maybe if they saw me and knew I had come for them, it would help break whatever trance they were in. But when I saw him, held him . . .” I shook my head. The swell of emotions and pure heartbreak were almost crippling. “He didn’t even flinch or respond. What if—”

Her lips slanted over mine, stopping me mid-sentence. My body relaxed, the taste of her warmth driving the cold, dead feeling from my heart. Her mouth teased mine, moving over it in a way that sent my heart racing and my blood pumping.

She pushed at my chest, rolling me onto my back. “We will save him, save all of them, okay? Don’t give up hope.”

“How can you be so sure?” I asked the one question that had been gnawing at my gut all night.

“Because I am always right.” She flicked my nose with her finger.

Another sick emotion welled up in my gut. My eyes burned with the one truth I had buried since I woke up and saw I wasn’t in Rashearim any longer. “It’s my fault. Even with those runes on me, I should have fought harder.”

She raised up on her elbow above me, her eyes holding nothing but pure, unrelenting strength. “Do not place this blame on yourself, Samkiel. I will kick your ass. I swear it. You were tricked and lied to. They were more than ready to subdue you, and they did. You fought, you always do for them, for me.” I turned my head away from her as a tear rolled down my cheek. Her grip was tight on my chin as she forced me to look at her again. “I know how that magnificent brain works, and you’re wrong. You are enough.”

This time, when my chest ached, it wasn’t just because I lost them but because of the strong-willed woman currently staring at me who could read my thoughts without even trying.

I nodded. “Even if we get them back, I know nothing of the words Azrael used. The book is gone, and I don’t know what its magic or lasting effects of the spell are. Some chemicals can alter the brain so much that nothing is left once that chemical is removed. Logically—”

“Stop.” Dianna pressed her body close and kissed me again. “We are going to find a way to fix all of it, and we are going to save them. Together. Even if I have to rip the world to pieces for you, for them, I’ll do it. We will fix this.” She ran a hand through the dark curls that swept over my brow, brushing it back from my face. “Okay?”

I nodded because what choice did I have? She was determined. I forced a smile. “With you at my side, how could I lose?”

Shadows darkened her eyes, but she kissed me again before I could question it. However, this time, she did not pull away as quickly. Her mouth slanted over mine as she turned her head, deepening the kiss. Her tongue ran across my lower lip, demanding access, and I gave it to her. Dianna broke the kiss, her hand roaming across my chest. I groaned as she pressed kisses down my throat, her fingers teasing and dipping lower.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my breath catching.

“Taking your mind off things.” She lifted the edge of my shirt and scraped her nails over my lower abdomen in a way that had my blood running away from my brain. Slipping her hand into my pants, she covered my mouth again, kissing me deeply as she gripped my cock, swallowing my moan. I hissed and let my head fall back as she stroked me, my length growing harder in her hand with every slow pass.

“What if someone walks by?” I groaned as she lowered her head toward my neck. I felt her tongue snake across my skin, sending another jolt of pleasure to my cock.

“I’ll kill them,” she whispered, nipping my ear.

My abdomen flexed as her palm curved around my tip, spreading the moisture there down the shaft, pausing to squeeze the base.

“Does it feel good?”

“Fuck yes,” I gasped and nodded.

She slid her fingers lightly over my balls before tenderly cupping and massaging them. My cock twitched at her delicate torture.

“I like this. Having you in the palm of my hand.” She squeezed ever so lightly, smiling at me.

“You’re a cruel, evil woman,” I whispered.

I groaned when she released my balls and wrapped her fingers back around my shaft. She squeezed and, in a slow, torturous slide, moved her hand toward the head. She licked her lips, watching her hand work my cock. “You think so?” she asked, tracing along the underside with her thumb, just beneath the head.

A sharp nod was all I could manage. I slid my fingers into her hair and pulled her toward me, capturing her mouth in another slow, deep kiss. Her strokes turned harder, every twist and pull pushing me closer to the edge. Gods, how long had it been? I felt like an untried youth when it came to Dianna. No matter what we did or how often she touched me, I still craved her. If I had my way, I’d take her every damn day, multiple times a day, if I could, and that frightened me. I’d never been so consumed or obsessed with another. Dianna was not just a want but a pure, blinding need.

My pulse quickened, both from the adrenaline of being caught and the pleasure that rippled through my veins. I knew if a guard walked by, I’d ruin our entire cover in a heartbeat and slaughter them. My lips pressed together almost painfully as I tried to stifle the moan bubbling in my throat. I’d taught her too much of what I enjoyed.

Dianna twisted her hand as she stroked up, closing her palm over my tip and squeezing. I damn near erupted. She owned me, mind, body, and fucking soul. Her eyes flicked to mine, and she smiled at my untethered response. It wasn’t my fault everything she did felt so fucking good. My hips thrust up, sliding my cock through her grip.

“Look how hard you are for me.” She licked at my chin before nipping it. “Is this mine?”

“Yes, akrai. Yours.” I nodded as she fisted my cock a fraction harder. “Everything I am is yours.” Her smile was downright devious as she glanced at the cell door before adjusting and slipping down my body.

I half sat up, leaning on my elbows. “What are you doing?” I hissed. “Someone could see.”

A hand job was fairly easy to hide if someone walked by, but her head bobbing between my legs would end everything. I’d level the place if anyone dared to see her like that. She smiled at me and pulled her hair back, the hunger in her eyes damn near making me come. “You better come quickly, then.”

Dianna licked her lips, settling between my thighs. She tugged the waistband of my pants over my hips, fully freeing my cock. I had a few seconds to protest before she took me into her mouth, and then I just didn’t care. I couldn’t stop the groan that the feel of her warm, wet mouth forced from me, and I damn sure couldn’t help but curse when her tongue swiped across the underside of the head of my cock.

“Fuck, baby.” I gripped her by her hair as she worked my cock, directing her head as I thrust up into her mouth. She swallowed me deep, her lips stretched around my girth, and my eyes rolled back. “You are a goddess, akrai.”

I felt her smile around my cock before she took me deeper. Her hands wrapped around the shaft at the base, matching her pace as she moved up and down. She looked up at me and swirled her tongue over the swollen crown before releasing my cock. My balls tightened and ached as she laid her tongue flat against my shaft, sliding her open mouth up and down my length. My abdomen flexed at the sight, and a blistering ball of pleasure built at the base of my spine. I knew I was seconds away from coming. With another flick of her tongue and a twist of her hand, I was done.

Dianna felt the first pulse and wrapped her mouth around the head, sucking hard. Unable to stop myself, I pushed up, forcing more of my cock into her mouth. She moaned, her hips shifting restlessly as I spilled into her mouth, and she swallowed every last drop. My hand clasped around the back of her head, and I rode that feeling of pure blinding pleasure.

My body shook, remnants of my orgasm rippling through me. I pushed up onto my elbows, panting, but my head fell back with a moan as her tongue darted out. She licked around the base of my cock and lapped up the shaft before she swirled her tongue around the head, licking up every bit I’d spilled out.

Gods, I would die for this woman.

I FORCED ANOTHER SPOONFUL OF THE MUSH THEY SERVED HERE INTO my mouth and hunched my shoulders, trying to appear smaller than what I was. I just wished to draw less attention after the brawl. A man to our right yelled and launched himself across the table, punching another prisoner in the face. Guards rushed forward and separated them. The guards were not gentle, taking out their anger on the prisoners while the rest of the room tried and failed to mind their business. No one wanted a rehash of before. Some were still bruised and battered, while others just wished to stay in their cells.

“I still think it’s a waste of time,” Orym said, shifting next to me.

“We cannot leave them here,” I said, taking another bite.

“I still can’t believe it.”

“I can,” I remarked.

Just like on the trail here, other prisoners had started sitting with us. Many of the guards were still pissed about the fight, and I think they thought I’d protect them. I’d saved and helped as many as possible while maintaining the diversion itself. I just hadn’t wanted anyone to get killed in the process, which was why our table was now full.

They spoke amongst themselves, not paying Orym and me any attention, just as we told them to. Dianna had formed a new plan, and gods, I loved her for it. After seeing the files she’d snuck down to us last night, we’d learned this prison was more of a holding cell with limited capacity. Only the prisoners Nismera truly wanted stayed alive, which was us here on this lower level. The others were killed the day they arrived and then tossed outside the castle walls to keep the creatures who stalked these mountains fed and away.

I stopped eating and lowered my spoon, my eyes drawn toward the upper levels. Taotl walked down the row, no one else noticing who really lay under that skin. A small smile crept over my face to see the nearly seven-foot commander with a tail tipped in dark fur dragging behind him. He glanced toward me with a flash of red eyes. The gleam was so quick that I would have missed it if I hadn’t been looking right at him. It didn’t matter what form she wore. I could spot her out of a crowd of millions. It was as if my soul was drawn to her, seeking the connection. I adjusted myself in my seat, the memory of this morning making me hard.

It had been weeks since the woods, and I hated every second I couldn’t be inside her, and from the look she shot my way, I knew she felt it, too. Whether she wore a suit of armor or the form of vermin, she was always watching me, never too far away. Gods above, I loved her more for it.

I’d never been one who needed protection. I was always the one running headfirst into any battle. It was just another thing we had in common. She and I were the same. Both of us had been given far too many responsibilities at a young age, forced to care for those around us and keep monsters at bay. Only hers were more physical than mine. I was the one the kingdom depended on. Sure, I had The Hand, but I was still alone. With Dianna, I did not have a single worry or fear that she wouldn’t completely have my back. My only fear was for her, never of her.

“Are you listening?” Orym nudged me.

I pulled my gaze from her and looked at him. “Did you say something?”

“Yes, your plan? I heard you and her whispering last night.”

I glanced back toward the spiraling rails, but she was gone. I raised my spoon to my mouth, speaking around it. “She found a map of the prison layout,” I said.

“Even with that information, you run a risk. The beasts that stalk these cliffs are evil. They have talons the size of my head or yours, and they scour the skies, waiting to snatch us up and kill us. Why do you think they waited for so long to come here? They had flown north for a season, and now they’re back and out of food, I might add,” the dwarf, Ozean, said, pointing his spoon at us.

“I have a plan for that,” I said, pretending to laugh at what one prisoner near me said. The others followed suit, acting as if we weren’t plotting to leave this place.

I nodded toward the back, and Orym stood.

We walked out the back of the dining hall, heading toward the cells. We walked down the curving rocky steps, guards standing in every hall. It wasn’t until we reached our floor and passed the guard on that level that I spoke.

“I plan to form a tunnel to get everyone here out,” I said, checking to make sure we were not being followed or overheard. I ducked into our dug-out cavern cell and sat on my small cot. Orym sat down across from me, leaning his elbows on his knees.

I reached under the cot, grabbed the map Dianna had stolen, and unfolded it. A long spiraling tunnel took up the top page, showing the tip sticking out of the top of the mountain. Exits were clearly marked, and it was easy to find the main gate we’d entered through. I flipped the page to one that showed the layout of the cells and how they all curved around the central structure. I placed it between us, pointing to what I needed.

“This portion of the prison is the most vacant. I think they used it once as a storage unit for something, but Dianna went there the other night, scoping it out as she said, and it’s empty.”

“Empty?” Orym’s gaze flicked up.

I nodded. “If I can make an escape tunnel that leads up, I can connect it through the lowest levels near Savees’s cell,” I said, tracing the path I wanted to take.

“If you do that, it will come out at the bottom of the mountain, straight at the river’s edge. Away from those treacherous creatures that fly high above the mountains.”

“Exactly.”

His eyes scanned mine as if I were crazy. “I mean no disrespect with this. I know your name and what you’re capable of, but with that,” he pointed to my midsection, “I know your power has not fully returned. They still speak of it burning in the sky. Digging a tunnel of that length will take—”

“Power,” a voice said from the doorway.

We both turned as Dianna dropped the illusion, her lean form replacing that of the ghastly male commander as she stepped inside. She placed her hand on Orym’s shoulder, patting it as she sat down.

“Don’t worry about the tunnels. I got started on them while you all were sleeping the last few nights.”

“You did?” I asked.

Her eyes raked over me. “Yeah, just to get a head start. I couldn’t sleep. Plus, I put Savees to work, so that helped.”

Her gaze locked on mine, the air between us feeling thicker. I hadn’t slept much either since being here. Everywhere I lay was uncomfortable, and with her new disguise, I couldn’t hold her every night. The nights when I could, I was on alert, making sure that one of the passing guards didn’t see her.

Orym cleared his throat. “Explains why the humidity has increased.”

Dianna shrugged. “Sorry about that, but at least we have made some progress.”

“How far did you get?” I asked.

She glanced back at the doorway, making sure no one was walking by. “Deep enough you can hear the river a few miles up, and you can’t smell the stench of this place.”

“Pretty deep, then.”

She nodded, folding her arms. “Yeah, we still have a ways to go, but it is large enough for everyone to fit through without bumping their heads. I’ll make a rule that the guards stay away from the sleeping cells at night. They may actually like that. We can also get some of the other prisoners to help us.”

I watched Dianna hungrily as she spoke and noticed a spot of red, smaller than a fingernail, on the edge of her collarbone. Unease settled into my gut, and I inhaled deeply, catching a whiff of blood. It was small, but enough to know she’d been feeding and apparently cleaning up after herself, only this time she missed a spot.

Orym and Dianna continued to discuss the size and dimensions we’d need to fit as many people as possible. We planned and plotted for a while longer before Dianna stood and got ready to leave. I joined her at the door as Orym made his cot.

Everyone was being summoned back to their cells, and it was busy with people moving back and forth. I stopped at the entrance with Dianna, and she glanced around the corner and back. She leaned forward, her lips grazing mine for a mere second before she stepped back.

“I’ll be back in a bit. I need to go check on Logan.”

I nodded, grabbing her arm and stopping her before she transformed. “You’ve been feeding?”

Something flashed in her eyes, and I knew she was about to lie to me, but then I saw her think better of it. “Yes. Keeping this form and everything has been draining me.”

“Who?”

Her head reeled back before a smile slowly curved her lips, and I realized how I sounded. “Just a random guard. Trust me. I know how to be careful. They’re none the wiser and wake up with just an itchy throat.”

“Okay.” My lips formed a thin line. “And you’re all right?”

Her smile lit up her face. “I’m fine, Sami. Perfect. Let’s just work out your master save-the-world plan and get out of here.”

“The food they serve here isn’t helping. I just assumed you’d let me know if you needed blood.”

“What are you going to do? Knock out a guard to feed me?” she asked with a smile, but I saw a flicker of something in her eyes.

“If I need to.”

She cupped my cheek and brushed a kiss to my lips. “You’re sweet, but I’m fine. I don’t take much.”

“It’s not that,” I said.

“Okay,” she said, “what is it then?”

I thought about how to word what I was going to say next without starting a fight. “I wish for you to rely on me more, is all. You’re no longer alone. If you’re hungry or need something, I want you to ask me. Let me help.”

Her gaze softened, even if a hint of apprehension remained. “Okay.”

“Okay.” I scanned her face before nodding. “Be careful.”

“Pinkie promise.” She raised her hand toward mine, and I took it, wrapping my small finger around hers.

She pulled away, and her form grew taller than mine as she again donned the commander’s armor and appearance. One last look, and she ducked her head out of the cell and left. I watched until her form disappeared around the corner, and more inmates flooded in, heading toward their cells. I returned to my cot and tucked the maps away before settling in. It wasn’t until lights-out and a hush fell across the prison that I knew Dianna had lied to me.