Chapter 44

The two bodyguards attempted to follow, but Lucien shook his head once, and they backed away immediately, their heads bowed.

Baski led him through the long hallway and into the door of the secret room that held the stairs leading underground. On the way, she hurriedly filled him in on all the activities from the afternoon and everything about the visit from the medicine man. It was a long walk, but eventually, she led him to the room and opened the door.

Sally lay on the bed, her cuts cleaned, her bruises treated. Her wounds dressed, and she slept. Beside her, Danika lay with her eyes closed, her breathing labored as she slept. One hand held Sally’s own.

Baski saw who the king’s eyes rested on and felt the need to say, “She is completely exhausted. She’s been here all this while. Refused to leave this entire time.” 

His eyes took in the way Danika’s body curved protectively on her former personal maid; the way she loosely intertwined her hand with the gi