I Will Never Be Yours novel · Chapter 11 of 24

Chapter 11: The East Postern

Caspian stood up slowly, and I stayed on my knees with the dead man's hand in mine.

He had to lie, and I watched him do it.

"Alder," he said. "You're right. There's been trouble."

"Who was it?" Alder set the lantern on a hook and came down the corridor. "Not one of ours?"

"The quarryman from the truck. Stabbed through the bars."

"The Moon keep him."

Alder crouched across from me and closed the old man's eyes with two fingers.

His hands were freckled to the knuckle.

"Did he say anything?"

My own hands were ice.

"He said he wanted his wife," Caspian said. "He was raving by the end."

"Poor soul."

"Yes."

Alder looked up at me.

His eyes were soft, and wet, and there was nothing behind them I could point to.

"Sel," he said. "You look unwell."

I had thought about what I would say to him.

I had thought I would scream it.

Instead I stood, steadied myself on the bars, and made my mouth soft.

"I've been thinking about your offer," I said.

"Have you?"

"I'll go tonight."

Caspian's head snapped toward me.

He turned it into a frown.

"Go where?" he said.

"Away, my King." I kept my eyes on Alder. "The Beta offered me a horse."

"Why?"

"I'm a rogue, and I don't belong in a place like this. I only want to leave quietly."

"Midnight," Alder said gently. "The east postern. I'll bring the horse myself."

"Thank you."

"Cas?" Alder said. "You don't mind?"

I held my breath.

"She's free to go," Caspian said.

His voice was perfectly even.

"She was on probation, not in chains. If she wants the road, she can have it."

"That's generous."

"I'm tired, Alder. I'll see to the body."

"Of course." Alder rose and brushed off his knees. "Get some rest, both of you."

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