Robin

Robin stumbled forward and covered her mouth with her arm as smoke started to surround her. The arena was quickly becoming engulfed in flames, and everyone within it was scattering.

She wasn’t surprised when no one rushed forward to help her. Her stomach sank as she stumbled toward the staircase. “Kova?!” She called out into the smoke as others rushed past her. She glanced again at the exit but plunged back into the smoke to search for her friend.

“Kova!” She called out their name over and over again, the smoke getting thicker with every step she took further into the arena. “Kova!”

Where were they? Did they already get out?

Robin cursed under her breath as the corners of her eyes stung with bloody tears. “Oh, gods, please let me find them.” She didn’t know what she would do with herself if something happened to Kova. She didn’t have anyone else in the court she trusted. Sure, some looked toward her for help, but that didn’t mean they were her close companions!

Someone grabbed her from behind, their hand fisting around the fabric of her satin dress. She let out a gasp as they put a hand over her mouth. “You’re coming with me,” they said against her throat. Holding the end of a blade against her neck, she froze.

She always knew someone wanted her dead, but she never expected they’d act so soon. How could she blame them? This was the perfect opportunity to make a move on her. She was the princess of a reckless king, and she had a different opinion than the most powerful people of her society. She wasn’t someone who easily made her opinions secret, either.

Struggling against their hold, she tried to push them away, but their grip grew tighter. They had to be another blessed to be able to restrain her so easily. “I’m not leaving without my advisor!” Wriggling against them was doing no good, and with every movement the knife pressed harder against her throat.

“Let her go!”

“Runea?”

The mystery person let go of her as they shrieked. As Robin turned to look at them, a knife became lodged in their side. Runea was taking another knife into her hands, and she flung a second one at their head. Robin's assailant fell to the ground without another word.

Robin stared at Runea with a different gaze. Why would this princess from Diamandis be carrying daggers and where would she have learned to throw them with such ease? Robin took a few steps away from her, holding her breath as the smoke grew heavier.

“Your advisor already got out,” Runea said. “C’mon, we have to get out.” She held her hand toward Robin, coaxing her forward. “Robin, please come with me.”

She stared at Runea. None of this was right, and none of it was adding up. Coughing, she looked further into the arena, but even her superior vision couldn’t pick up any further movement. Reaching out, she took Runea’s hand and hoped she wasn’t about to make one of the worst decisions of her life.

Runea clasped it quickly, and her hand felt warm against Robin’s. She lead her through the smoke and down the empty stairwell. They reached a long lawn that lead back toward the castle, and they silently ran across it.

“Where are we going?” Robin gasped for air, the remnants of the smoke stinging her lungs.

Coughing, Runea shook her head. “Somewhere safe,” she said. She came to a slow near one of the opening to the waterway that passed under the castle. Letting go of the princesses hand, she slid down the side. “C’mon, hurry up!” She held her arms out as if she were going to catch the princess.

Robin stared at her. “Are you kidding me?” The water was rushing past Runea’s feet. “It’s dangerous down there!”

Runea scoffed. “It’s more dangerous out there! Trust me!”

The last thing Robin wanted to do was trust anyone. She was running out of choices, though. Letting out a groan she pulled up her skirts in one hand and started her descent into the water. With her other hand she grabbed onto Runea as she caught her and fell into her chest.

Runea stared at her, the flecks of gold in her blue eyes catching against the sun. This close, she could see the little swirls of dark grey mingling in her irises. If Robin were in a different situation, she would have told her they were beautiful.

Shaking herself, she pulled away from Runea. She knew she should have just ran straight back to the castle, yet here she was with the girl she wasn’t sure was really a princess of Diamandis at all. “Well, lets go,” Robin said quickly.

Nodding, Runea started to lead her under the castle. The sound of rushing water surrounded them, but the water was only a soft, cold flow against their ankles. The tunnel grew darker the further they walked, but Runea seemed to know exactly where she was going. The tunnel split off in multiple directions, but she never paused in her steps.

As they reached another turn, Runea started up a small incline out of the water. In the distance, there was a glowing light. There was a small cavern with torches lit along the moist walls.

Runea’s advisor stood at the end of the cavern and faced the wall. He groaned. “Dammit, Mae. You should’ve been here minutes ago. What the hell was that in the arena?”

Robin’s eyes widened. “Who is Mae?”

At her side, Runea’s hands flexed and then tightened into a fist. “I am.”

Her advisor turned and looked at them both, only now noticing Robin was with her. Letting out a breath he looked over Robin. “Well this just ruined our plans.”

Robin looked over Runea, no, Mae. Her eyes widened as she stared down the woman who she knew nothing about. “Who are you?”

She definitely wasn’t a princess of Diamandis.