The treasure room was actually the prince and my character's idea. In the plot, she was going by; they had set this trap for her. Just in case Lady Bluebird wasn't able to lead her away. The actual treasure is hidden in the prince's chambers. Somewhere none of them would ever go. 

It didn't take me that long to reach the room. Someone locked the door from the inside. Which none of the guards would have done. Luckily, my character was quite strong, so all I had to do was plant my foot in the middle of the door, and it flew open. The two of her men left in the room instantly turned and faced me. 

They each had on a black cloak and mask, as Raven had on when I had first caught her. These two wore a fox and a tiger mask, unlike Raven's raven-shaped mask. If I remember correctly, the fox mask was Fox, one of Raven's love interests. Which should be one of the twins characters. The one with the fox mask shoved the other one through the window before standing in front of it. 

His body was tense, and for a second. I thought at first there was going to be a fight scene. Instead, after a second, he relaxed and rolled his eyes as if asking if we really had to do this. I nearly rolled my own eyes. Because, of course, I was stuck with the twin who barely ever wants to go by the plot. 

I didn't bother to say anything and just threw my sword before charging at him. He rolled his eyes at me again before easily dodging my sword. He didn't even bother to pull out his own and just kept dodging me. Knowing this would not be a true fight, I stopped trying. I was on him within a second, bringing my hilt down on his head, knocking him out cold. 

The guards barged in at that moment empty-handed. When they saw me standing over the unconscious form of one of Ravenhood's right hands, they just stared. In their eyes. I had done something impossible not just once but twice.  

"Tie him to my horse; I'll present him to the king."

The prince walked in after I said those words, staring at Fox on the floor. "It seems you caught one of them. Is he dead?"

The tone of his voice was definitely not what it should be when talking about this man. I brushed it off, though, since these two have always been protective of each other. 

"Of course not. Your father would have my head. I'll be presenting him to the court when we return. Also, I found a new toy for us to play with."

"A new toy?" 

"Yep, you're going to love her. I've already branded her, but I left the task of piercing her to you."

******

My thigh still throbbed enough that I could not sleep. So with nothing else to do, I was swinging myself around, hoping to dislodge the part of the chain that was connected to the wall. If I get down, I will have a better chance of picking the lock on the cuffs. 

The guards pounded on the door. "Ravenhood, we are not afraid to come in there if you don't cease what you are doing." 

If I didn't have a gag on, I would have pointed out that this is the sixth time they had said this. They would not come in. The commander is someone who would snap someone's neck if they messed with me. I swung myself again, and this time I heard something snap before I fell to the floor. The thump was definitely loud enough to alert the guards. 

Still, they didn't open the door completely, afraid of the commander. I stood up, trying to be as quiet as I could while dragging the chain across the floor. They might not come in at the moment, but I didn't want to risk it by making more noise. I searched the room for something with which to pick the lock. All I saw, though, was a bed, a desk, dressers, chairs, and a table. 

The candles he had used earlier would only burn me while doing nothing to the cuff. However, the needle he had heated would help. My gaze trailed over the ground, looking for the needle. I didn't see him put it down, so he must have dropped it when he caught my foot. Ignoring the pain in my thigh.

I went down on my hands and knees to find it. Luck must have been on my side because I found it quickly. Knowing my fingers could never reach the lock. I slipped the needle into the mouth and picked it that way. With Ravenhood's skill, the cuff came off easily. 

I struggled to my feet, rubbing my wrist. They were tender after everything I did to get the cuffs off. My relief wasn't long-lived since a dark voice spoke up behind me. 

"It seems I underestimated you, little Raven."

I spun towards the voice and came face-to-face with the commander, the prince, and Fox. Who was bound and unconscious at their feet. I ran to Fox's side, knowing that is what she would do. She would completely forget her situation with him here. Before I could touch him, though, the commander seized my arm. 

I tried to jerk out of his hold. "Let me go. I need to check on him." 

"He is fine. For now. It is up to you whether to stay that way."

I stilled. "What do you mean?"

He flashed me one of those crazed grins. "The king let us keep him to keep him alive. He figured you would behave if we threatened to punish him every time you didn't. Are you going to behave, little raven?"

I didn't even hesitate because she wouldn't have. "Fine, I'll behave, just please don't hurt him."

"Prove it. Get on your knees for us."