Gianna watched Gael bring them food. No, not food really. It was just some mouldy bread. Denzel couldn't have that!
He needed something better to help him heal faster.
"Please serve my brother something nice and preferably warm. He's shivering. I would also appreciate some warm salted water and clean bandages to take care of his wounds."
"If you really cared about him you would have casted the spell." And with that he turned to leave.
"I am sorry for getting us into this. I'll make sure they release you." Gianna promised.
"Release me..." He was about to continue talking before he coughed and rested his head on the wall. Gianna was by his side in a jiffy. If only she had her herb pouch. She would have taken better care of him.
"Just rest." She was glad he didn't have a fever.
"I have a plan." He started after being quiet for a while.
"We don't need a plan now we need to save you."
"The plan will work and will save us both. If you would just listen for a moment."
"Am all ears."
"You need to seduce Gael and take the keys from his trousers unnoticed. "
"Is he the only one with the keys?"
" No, Queen Mazarine and Prince Ian have copies."
Seduce a man? She had never seduced any man. Not even her husband.That was absurd. Besides she didn't think Gael liked her so he would probably not fall for it.
"What makes you think he will fall for it?"
"Well you're beautiful."
Only that would make him fall for their trick?
"Make sure to caress his chest and maintain eye contact."
Caress him? Well, she wasn't going do that.
Denzel knew what she was thinking.
"We don't have any other option, you'll have to try that. My spirit would haunt you for life if I die in her." He smiled.
Oh, he really knew how to threaten her. Being haunted is the last thing she wanted to happen to her. She didn't look forward to living like Princess Fiona.
She started banging the metal bars to call for attention. She just hoped Queen Mazarine wouldn't show up instead. Needless to say, seduction wouldn't work on her .
The banging continued but Gael was nowhere to be seen and her brother was getting worse.
Surprisingly it was Prince Ian who showed up. His hairy bare chest caught her attention first. Why was he walking around naked?
Gianna had never seen this much of a man before.
"This rather be important. I was just to have a bath when your loud noise interrupted me."
If the noise interrupted him then his chambers had to be the nearest to the dungeon.
"Where is Gael?"
"I haven't seen him all day. What did you want so bad that you had to cause so much noise?" Interestingly he was having a bunch of keys hanging on his belt. She just hoped he had a copy of all keys in the castleor at least some of them as the Crown Prince.
"I want to save my brother's life so bad that I am willing to do anything... anything for that to happen."
Prince Ian was surprised. She had caught him off guard. He didn't expect such words from her.
But he didn't know her very well anyway.
"What do you mean by anything?" He finally asked.
Was it working?
"Gianna slid her hand through the metal bars without tearing her gaze from his. She slowly caressed his chest even though her hand was trembling slightly.
"All I need is a room with a good supply of medicinal herbs." She whispered as her hand traveled further down.
Heavens to Betsy! He was already hard. She instinctively retracted her hand after taking the keys.
****
Good Lord. What had just happened?
How could he let her touch him and make him feel that so easily.
He took a step back angry with himself more than he was with her. But when was the last time he had been with a woman? It was long ago. That must be why he reacted to her touch so fast. He couldn't be feeling that way for any other reason. No, he couldn't allow himself to. For heaven's sake she was a witch, and a married woman too.
"You shameless whore! Do you think your stupid trick will work on me?" He retorted.
It just did. Gianna wanted to say.
She watched him as he took quick steps away from her and left the dungeon.
Gianna carefully unlocked the door and despite her best efforts it made a creaking sound as she pushed it open. Her lips grew thin and firm as she waited to see if anyone had heard the sound. When nothing happened, she led the way out. The first thing she noticed was her herb pouch which she quickly grabbed. They tiptoed out of the dungeon with the slightest movement making them stop in their tracks.
Now they needed a horse or two. There was no way they could run fast enough without horses. Unfortunately the castle stable was filled with many servants.
Suddenly something dropped and they had to hide behind a bush of flowers. A male servant and a maid were doing some cleaning around the castle.
"Remain hidden. I've got this." Denzel whispered and before she could stop him he had already left. A crushing sound echoed through the air and terror stabbed her heart.
Denzel!
She was just peeking to see what had happened to him when Denzel dragged a maid and a male servant to the bush, their mouths gagged.
"Now what?" She asked curious. How could the servants help them?
"You put them to sleep."
Of course that's what she was supposed to do.
With the help of lavender oil she made sleep remedies which they forced down the servants' throats. Afterwards Gianna wore the maid's clothes while Denzel wore the male servant's clothing. That way, it would be easier to blend in with the many servants working in the Kingshill Citadel.
Disguised as castle workers, the two headed for the stables. Glances shot at Gianna from the male workers were inevitable and she had to keep her gaze low. Her pretty face and mesmerizing green eyes caught many people's attention. Green was an extremely rare eye color in the continent.
"You'll have to ride with me." Gianna was worried that her brother wasn't strong enough yet.
"I can ride well by myself, I just handled a grown man and a maid alone." He said and mounted the horse ready to ride off when a guard blocked his way.
Gianna lied to the guards in charge of the side gate usually used by servants that they had been tasked to purchase some supplies and they were allowed to pass.
They rode downhill fast. If Queen Mazarine was keen she would see them from the comfort of her balcony which faced the gate.
And they were not wrong!
Sooner than expected, galloping horses could be heard behind them.
"Into the woods." Denzel shouted changing the direction and Gianna followed suit. Suddenly she slowed down. Her chest was heavy and she found it difficult to breathe.
But luckily they seemed to have already lost their pursuers. They stopped to catch their breathes as well as to allow the horses to rest.
"What do we do now?" Her brother interrupted her peaceful moment.
What could be done? Going back home wasn't a viable option, at least not for her. It was considered a disgrace. Neither did she want to go back to Kyler's manor. Imagining them consummating their wedding made her nervous.
Noticing her dilemma,
"I know a friend who can host us for a few days while we figure something out."
"Really?" Her eyes gleamed with excitement. After the short but rough travel under the scorching sun on horseback she could really use a nice cold bath.