Julias shook his head. “No.”
Mara could see the prince again. The prince sobbed, pressing himself against the guard’s back. Julias, make the prince take it.
“The prince has to open the gate,” Julias shouted, his speech slurred.
The guard rushed at Julias.
Move back, Julias.
It was too late. The guard pushed his sword through Julias’s belly up to the hilt, bringing them face to face.
Bite him, Julias.
Julias bit at the guard’s face like an attacking dog. The guard shouted and shuffled backwards, but Julias held on tight.
The guard tripped backwards, pulling Julias on top of him, one hand still stuck holding the handle of his sword. The shouts turned to screams as Julias continued to bite.
Thumbs in his eyes, Julias.
The guard screamed, holding Julias’s wrists while it happened. The screams quickly became moans of agony, much like the sounds Mara had made between the burns only minutes ago.
His blade, Julias, on his belt.
Julias moved slowly, his head sagging in front of him, but found the small blade and pushed it into the guard’s neck.
The prince cried in the corner to the left of Mara’s head. Shut up, baby.
Julias, stay awake. The key for my chains, get them.
Julias slurred something, took in a deep rasping breath, then knelt and looked at the sword handle that poked from his belly.
I can save you, Julias. Just get me the key. I can fix you.
Julias crawled to Rupert’s body, the red-stained sword tipping side to side as he moved. Julias went through Rupert’s clothes, then slumped forward, eyes shut, keys in hand.
Julias, wake up.
Julias didn’t move. Mara turned to the prince. “You, get the keys from him.”
The prince looked up, fear behind his wet eyes, then hid his face behind his hands.
“Let me out, and you can see your father again. We will both die in here otherwise. Hurry up.”
Julias moaned in the opposite corner, then crawled toward Mara, the keys in one fist clinking on the floor. He fell sideways and let out a long breath.
Stupid idiot.
“Prince, get the keys. They are right there, look.”
The prince looked toward Julias, then at Mara.
“Just free one of my hands, and I’ll do the rest.” Mara pulled at the chains. “Look, we can’t go anywhere if I’m stuck here.”
The prince nodded slowly. He sobbed as he crawled toward Julias, took the keys, and approached Mara. The prince’s hands trembled as he tried several keys, the fourth unlocking Mara’s right hand.
“Give ’em here.” Mara snatched the keys, opened up all the other locks, and slid off the table. He spat at Rupert. He touched at his own burnt and bloody skin. “Take off your clothes.”
“But –”