Page 78 of To Save a Kingdom

“One of the so-called-queen’s ladies,” said the one clutching her. “What did you think you were going to accomplish here, little girl? Beyond getting yourself killed, of course.”

Aliya didn’t speak. If she did, she risked slitting her own throat. She strained her ears, but there was no sound to indicate Roland was attempting to breach the front door.

“What should we do with her?” guard number one asked.

The one holding her shifted, as though he was shrugging his shoulders. “Let’s put her with the others until we can see what the Inquisitor wants to do with her.”

Well, putting her with the other hostages was a better option than slicing an artery and letting her bleed out at their feet.

The blade dropped from her neck. The man gripping her wrenched her shoulder one more time.

Something popped in the joint. Aliya screamed as fire chased every nerve in her arm. Her eyesight went dark.

Someone swatted her on the side of the head. “Shut up, or we’ll show you real pain, you traitor.”

Her captor shoved her forward. Aliya stumbled, uncertain where she was going until they pushed her and she landed in a pile of bodies with a muffled scream.

“Stay there and be quiet,” the first guard’s voice whipped over her eardrums.

People extracted themselves from beneath her. Pointed ears and pale faces flashed through her vision. The other prisoners.

“Sorry,” Aliya mumbled, trying to untangle herself. Finding an empty spot, she sat, hugging her injured arm against her side with her good hand. Closing her eyes, she focused on her breathing and tried to ignore the sharp pain radiating out from her shoulder in agonizing waves.

Roland had abandoned her. He’d betrayed her.

Zadé would be livid when she found out, but even the famed High General wouldn’t be able to force the royal to honor his word. If she somehow managed to do so, it would already be too late.

Aliya squeezed her eyes shut, whether it was to block out the discomfort or to keep the tears from escaping, she didn’t know. Nor did she care.

After things quieted, a gentle hand settled on her undamaged shoulder. “Are you okay?”

A familiar voice whispered in Aliya’s ears and she opened her eyes to meet Sorisana’s eyes.

“Prr-row!”

A furry black body crawled into Aliya’s lap, Shadow’s tail trailing under her chin.

“I think my shoulder’s dislocated,” Aliya murmured, more to Shadow than Elessan’s mother.

Sorisana’s lips turned down as she examined the area. “It may be partially out, but it’s not complete.” Bracing one hand on Aliya’s opposite arm, she grabbed the sore elbow. Meeting Aliya’s gaze, Sorisana’s face softened in sympathy. “Try to relax. Take a deep breath.”

Aliya did. Sorisana lifted the injured limb, twisting.

Something popped in the joint, and with the sensation of bone grinding on bone, it slid back into place.

The fire ebbed from Aliya’s nerves, leaving only a dull throbbing behind.

She sighed. “Thank you.” She rolled her shoulder experimentally. It was tender, but the pain wasn’t debilitating and wouldn’t distract her if she had to fight.

Sorisana’s eyes went round. “What’s that?” When Aliya glanced back, her trembling finger was pointing at Aliya’s neck.

Aliya reached to her throat, half expecting to find a trickle of blood from the guard’s blade, but instead, her fingers caught the chain holding her pendant. Pulling it free, she showed it to Sorisana. “It’s my mother’s necklace.” The one that symbolized Sorisana’s debt to Aliya’s ancestor.

The older woman gaped, her eyes wide.

When she didn’t respond, Aliya took a deep breath.

Sorisana blinked, her expression still slack. “I gave that to—”