Chapter Seven
Sierra's POV
I lay curled on the cold floor of the dungeon, my back to the cell's gate, staring blankly at the dark corner of my prison.
Muffled laughter and music drifted from above and into my ears. The wedding. Their wedding.
I hated it.
My fingers curled against the floor, nails scraping over the stone. I should have felt something, anger, despair, hatred, but all that remained was exhaustion. There was nothing left to fight for. Nothing left of me at all.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor. I didn't move. Probably a guard checking to see if I had killed myself from sadness. I had considered that option but would that be all that my life was led up to?
Then I heard my name.
"Sierra."
The voice whispered, breaking through the multiple thoughts that clouded my mind. I turned, blinking against the dim torchlight, and there she was.
Lady Vaelora.
She stood just beyond the bars, her eyes scanning my form. For the first time since I had known her, she wasn't dressed in elegance. She wore dark travelling robes, her silver hair neatly pinned beneath a hood.
"Let's leave," she said, her voice low.
I stared at her in confusion. "I can't," I whispered, my voice scratchy as I spoke. "I've given up."
Vaelora huffed, stepping closer. "Do you want to stay here all your life?" she demanded. "Do you want to rot away in this filth while the man who did this to you enjoys his new life with his new bride?"
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"No, stop. Please" I raised my hands to my ears to block her out. I couldn't bear to be told all that I already had lost when I knew.
"What more are you looking for?" she pressed. "Your family isn't here. You can't go back, because they will shame you. He left you. What are you waiting for?"
"You didn't live all your life to end up with this conclusion, dear. There is more to you than the world has shown you so far. Please discover it."
I swallowed. The words taunted me, forcing me to confront the truth. There was nothing for me here.
Vaelora took a step closer, her gaze softening. "One last time, Sierra. Will you leave with me?"
The weight in my chest was suffocating. The past clung to me like chains, whispering that I would always belong here. That I would never be more than the woman Kaelvar cast aside.
But hadn't I already been cast aside?
I met Vaelora's gaze, hesitated, and then gave a small nod.
Relief flashed in her eyes as she smiled. "Good."
She reached out, fingers brushing against the iron shackles binding my wrists. The moment she touched them, the metal darkened, cracking and rotting before crumbling to the ground with a clang.
I flinched at the noise, my heart hammering. "What about the guards?" I whispered.
Vaelora smirked. "What about them?"
A chill ran down my spine at her tone.
I stepped out of the cell hand in hand with her; we were almost at the entrance when I turned, and what I saw stopped me in my tracks.
The guards were on the floor. Unconscious.
I whirled back to her, shock-stealing my words.
"What?" Vaelora chuckled. "I'll have you know I was a trained soldier in my day, dear. Turns out I haven't lost my touch." She raised her hand in a gun form and blew at it.
A laugh bubbled up in my throat, unexpected, especially after what I had gone through, but Lady Vaelora smiled sweetly at me.
Vaelora grabbed my wrist. "Come. Quickly."
We moved swiftly through the dark corridors, the halls eerily empty. Everyone was either at the wedding or in the kitchens preparing for the banquet. No one noticed us.
Vaelora pulled me into her chambers, shutting the door behind us. A pile of maid's clothing sat neatly folded on the bed.
"Change into these," she instructed. "We don't have much time."
I hesitated before reaching for the clothes. I stripped off my tattered dress. It was a stark contrast to the fine silks I had once worn but it would have to do. I have to get out of here without anyone noticing me.
Vaelora handed me a scarf. "Drape this over your head. We can't risk anyone recognizing you."
I tied it securely, ensuring my face was shadowed.
As I turned back to her, a thought gripped me. "One more favour."
She arched her brow. "What is it, dear?"
I took a breath. "I need to go to my chambers. One last time."
She studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Be careful."
I slipped out into the hall, moving with purpose. My chambers were empty when I arrived, and I exhaled in relief.
The room was still the same. The massive bed, the golden tapestries, the expensive rugs, it all remained, untouched by the ruin of my life.
My gaze dropped to my hand. The wedding band still sat there, it felt burdensome on my finger.
I pulled it off.
The thought came suddenly.
Burn it all to the ground.
I didn't even give it a second thought before I turned toward the door, slipping back into the halls. The kitchen was bustling, the workers frantically preparing the evening's feast. No one noticed as I slipped into the back storage, where barrels of oil and kegs of gasoline were kept.
I grabbed a small keg, hid it by my side and made my way back.
Once inside my chambers, I worked quickly.
I poured the gasoline across the floors, over the bed where Kaelvar had laid with his mistress that night, over the curtains that had once shielded me from the world and kept me hidden in this room, over the wardrobe filled with dresses I had worn for him, the vanity that I had dolled myself up in hopes of even getting a true loving glance from him.
By the time I finished, the room reeked of gasoline.
I took one last look around.
Then I pulled a lit scented candle from the table.
Standing at the entrance, I let the wedding band slip from my fingers. It clinked against the floor and rolled to the centre of the room, inches away from the bed.
Without hesitation, I threw the candle.
The flames caught instantly, spreading in a violent rush. The bed ignited first, fire licking up the frame, devouring the silk sheets. The curtains curled inward, blackened and curling as the fire consumed them.
I turned, lightly closed the doors and walked away.
By the time I reached Vaelora's room, she was pacing, her expression dark with worry. The moment she saw me, she rushed forward.
"What took you so long?" she scolded. "I thought you were caught! I thought they'd thrown you back in chains! And why in the heavens do you smell like—"
A loud commotion erupted in the halls.
Guards sprinted past the room, shouting.
"Fire!"
Vaelora paused, turning sharply to me.
I shifted on my feet.
Her eyes widened.
Then, to my utter shock, she let out a loud and hearty laugh, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
I bit my lip, suppressing my own smile.
She wiped at her tears, shaking her head. "You really are something else, dear."
Before I could respond, she grabbed my hand. "We need to leave before the uproar settles."
We slipped through the halls unnoticed, my heart pounding with each step. The air was thick with sm
oke, the scent of burning fabric and wood filling the palace.
As we neared the servant's exit, Vaelora squeezed my hand.
"You're free now, Sierra."