As I turned away from my brother. I hoped that whatever was happening to that plot didn’t change it too much because she would kick our asses. 

******

I struggled with the binding that held me, but even if I got close to getting them off. A bump would knock them out of my hands. After the eighth time, it happened. I decided to just focus on not ending up completely black and blue by the time I ended up at the castle. Which was hard since this asshole was dragging me behind his horse.

Again, I was so going to kick his ass. I had thought that the Prince was the new one. It was obvious now that he was the commander. 

A character that I didn’t even know still existed in this book. So I never thought anyone could be him. I have to admit, though. He’s good at what he does. Not once, even when we were alone.

Did he step out of character. If he were just a regular character. Then that would have inspired doubt. However, there is no way he is an ordinary person. It has to be him. I racked my brain trying to go over the old plot.

Since it had been so long since I had even thought about it. Every time I tried to get deep in thought about it. My body would hit another bump, and the pain brought me out of my thoughts. I couldn’t even complain to the asshole either. Since he had me gagged.

Actually, that is probably why he had me gagged in the first place. After being dragged behind this horse for twenty or more miles. He finally stopped and dismounted. 

He seized my arm. Dragging me to my feet. Yanking me along by the rope he had bound around my hands. I tugged back, glaring at him. He just yanked me forward.

He pulled me tightly to him and whispered in my ear. “Either you follow willingly, or I’ll strip you and drag you in completely naked for everyone to see.”

He released me, and this time when he yanked me. I followed along instead of struggling to get away. Though my clothes and mask were still in place as he dragged me through the castle. All the stares I got made me feel like I was naked. Their stares weren’t surprising.

I mean, I was the notorious Ravenhood. Who had stolen thousands. Maybe even millions, from the rich to give to the poor. During those ten to fifteen years. No one had come close to capturing me.

Many had started to think it was physically impossible and stopped trying. 

Now the commander had done the impossible. He dragged me into the king’s throne room and threw me to the floor in the middle of the room. Then he kneeled beside me. Bowing to the king. I tried to get off the floor.

Knowing Ravenhood would never bow to the king. I didn’t raise myself even an inch off the ground before his hand was on my back. Slamming me to the ground. 

“It seems you have done the impossible, Commander Arth.” The king mused, staring at me. “Since you are the one who caught her, why don’t you rise and tell us what should be done with her?”

He stood, dragging me up with him. “I don’t believe she should just be executed like some; instead, I think we should give her to the prince.”

“Go on.” 

“The prince’s old toy is now unusable, and he is going to demand a new one when he gets home. Why don’t we give him this little raven to use as he pleases?” 

The king chuckles. “Alright, I agree. Take her to his room and make sure no one touches her.” 

He bows to the king again before dragging me from the throne room.

******

We saw the fire long before we reached the place Lady Bluebird had left her. It was burning through the forest. As if it were planning to burn the whole thing down. 

“Stay here and try to stop the fire from spreading.”

“What are you going to do?” Lord Eagle asked as he let Lady Bluebird down. 

“I’m going into the fire to find Lady Hood.”

Before anyone could protest or claim, they were going with me, and ran into the fire. 

******

It was taking everything in me to snap at these idiots. It was obvious that those idiots thought that since I was mute. I couldn’t hear their whispers. Each and every one thought I was incompetent and couldn’t do this. Some even claim. Most of my supposed fame was my brother and Lady Hood letting me take credit for some things. No wonder Fox never bothered to communicate with them; they’re all just assholes.

Gritting my teeth, I ignored their whispers as best as I could. If this train didn’t come soon, I was going to wrap my hands around someone’s neck, and not in the good way. As if my thoughts had called it, the train’s whistle filled the air. I held my hand up, telling them to hold, and despite their whispers, they listened to me. I held my hand up, still letting the front of the train pass us.

That earned me a few more whispers, but I still held my hand up. I did the signal just as the middle of the came up and I leaped off the tree. My body fell through the air. Wind was hitting me from all sides until I landed in a crouch on top of the train. Then I pressed my stomach to the top and crawled forward to the nearest cart entrance.

I heard a couple of thumps behind me. I didn’t bother to look back, though. My focus was getting to the cart entrance and then inside. 

Besides, after all those whispers. They didn’t deserve my looking after them. Once I reached there. I dropped down to the door and pulled out my lock picks. With Fox’s muscle memory. It took all but a few seconds to get the door open.

I glanced up at the others, and they were all staring at me in surprise.