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  “Still more than fair, General.” He didn’t bother to correct her with his name, feeling more inclined to throttle her, as he was. “There are far more than three tunnels.”

  He hated that he’d fallen directly into the trap she’d set, but he wanted the information she could provide, and nothing she had asked for was completely unreasonable. If anything, it worked to his benefit in the long run, which she obviously knew. That was what made it such an admirable strategy on her part. It was that she had outmaneuvered him so easily that troubled him. “Fine, Princess. You win this round. But if you fail to disclose all, or you lie to me, my dissolving our arrangement will be the least of your worries.”

  “I expect no less.”

  “Sit.”

  In the middle of the room, the floor dropped in a large circle. Tiered levels of benches were carved into the stone, set each inside the other, surrounding a pulpit at the center. The space could easily seat one hundred, though by his understanding, it was rare to fill it with so many bodies. The layout amplified the acoustics, so one voice easily carried to all in the room, making it ideal for the Council meetings set to convene for one moon of every season.

  Persephone sat on the lip of the circle, propping her feet on the first bench below her. Her rigid posture, combined with the alert and wary look in her eyes, gave the impression that she might bolt at any minute. When he joined her, though, she turned her body toward his. “Where would you like me to start?”

  He considered for a moment. “This is where you exited the ground level?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where did you enter?”

  “The Small Council Chamber.”

  He nodded. He had expected as much based on where they had found his soldiers’ bodies. “You closed that entrance behind you yet left this open. Am I to assume you did not want to be followed into the tunnel, but once out you did not care if the opening was found?”

  “Yes,” she allowed. “I had hoped to be long gone by that time. Obviously that was not the case. This opening is also the most difficult to access. I did not wish to waste time closing it. The other is hidden under the grate in the fireplace, much easier and quieter to maneuver.”

  “Who else knows about them?”

  “Just Seraphime.”

  It didn’t surprise him that Seraphime knew. Given the especially tight bond she seemed to share with Persephone, it would have been far less believable if Persephone had said that she didn’t know. He was mildly astounded, however, that Persephone had admitted the fact so readily. Although, clever as she was, she could have easily guessed the trail his thoughts would take.

  “You brought little Kolimpri through them,” he corrected.

  “Her first time in them, and without a torch? I hardly think that constitutes knowing.”

  He shrugged deferentially. “Would the palace guard, the king, not know about such things?”

  “One would believe so. But you have to remember, this palace was built centuries ago. If the stories are to be believed, over a millennium ago. For whatever reason true knowledge of the tunnels was forgotten. They have been remembered only as a rumor. There were stories of an extensive network of escape tunnels hidden all through the palace, but no one knew where to find them nor where they led. Looking for them was undesirable. Ghost stories abound of men and women unfortunate enough to find them, lose their way, and die in the tunnels.”

  “And how did you and Seraphime find them?” he asked, suspecting her answer before she stated it.

  “Naturally, we went looking for them.”

  Of course they had. “Naturally,” he agreed. “And how extensive are they?”

  “I suspect at one time there was one leading to every major room in the palace. Many of them were deliberately closed off or are inaccessible through cave-in or decay. Some of them we opened back up, but with just the two of us we had neither the time nor the ability to open all of them. You must be careful as well. It is like a maze. You must know where you are going or you may easily become one of the ghosts we feared as small children.”

  “And how did you avoid getting lost?”

  “We trailed string behind us until we memorized the patterns.”

  He admired the simple brilliance of it. “Is there an open tunnel leading to the king’s chambers?”

  “Yes.”

  “You will show me how to access it and where it leads.”

  She shrugged. “I assumed as much.”

  “Are there any open tunnels leading to the slave chambers you or Seraphime are residing in?”

  “No. It would seem whoever built the tunnels wanted to ensure that their slaves were unable to escape their masters. There are no entrances in any of the slave quarters.”

  “How do I know you speak the truth?”

  “You do not.” She was completely unabashed at the admission. “But I think you believe me.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  “Because you and I both know if there were entrances to the slave chambers, we would be long gone and I would not be sitting here to have this conversation with you.”

  * * * *

  At some point during their discussion, the captain had entered the Grand Council Chamber. As soon as he had arrived, Augustine had instructed Persephone that she would be showing them the tunnels that were accessible. All of them. So, they’d grabbed torches and Persephone had spent the better part of the morning and afternoon leading the general and his captain through the tunnels. Though she hated revealing such secrets, she had shown them everything within the palace and informed them of all the blocks, tricks, or other pitfalls that she was aware of. By the time they finally re-emerged, they were all dirty, tired, and irritable. Persephone, in particular, was more than a little agitated.

  “Do none of the tunnels lead outside?” The captain was watching her suspiciously.

  “None I’ve found,” she answered smoothly.

  It wasn’t technically a lie as none of the tunnels within the palace even led into one of its courtyards. But Persephone also knew it wasn’t what the captain was actually asking. He wanted to know if there was a tunnel that could be used to get outside the palace walls and into the kingdom: a true escape tunnel. It was factual that as far as she knew each of the tunnels that began within the palace led only from one room in the building to another. A design flaw, in her mind, if they were indeed intended as escape tunnels. She had a sneaking suspicion that they had been intended for another purpose, though, as the one tunnel that led underneath the wall surrounding the palace – the one she’d been trying to get to in the Eastern Garden when she’d been captured – opened itself into the cellar of a nearby brothel.

  “When you made your escape attempt, how did you plan to get outside the palace walls?” the general pressed, seeming to have picked up on his captain’s line of thought.

  “Through the Eastern Gardens,” she admitted honestly, but without elaborating.

  “Certainly you knew the gates would be guarded.” Augustine’s gaze was intense. Likely he was looking for the lie.

  “Of course.” Persephone did not expound further, though she knew he expected her to.

  He suspected there was a tunnel, but he couldn’t prove it and she knew it; otherwise she would not have attempted the deception. The tunnel was well hidden, and Persephone felt confident they would not find it without her help. Even if they managed to do so, she could deny knowledge of its existence. Because it didn’t connect with any of those she’d shown them, it was feasible – if not entirely believable – that she didn’t know of it.

  Seraphime was the only person who might be able to incriminate her in the lie, and Persephone knew she would never tell. It was agreed upon between the two of them that under no circumstances were either of them to admit knowledge of the tunnel beginning in the Eastern Gardens and leading under the wall. The rest of the tunnels were a fun secret, but ultimately inconsequential. It wasn’t that they had expected an invasion – why would they
? Galilae had not been successfully invaded in centuries. However, the tunnel was and always had been important to them because it represented freedom, a thing that neither of them had been willing to give up. They had a long-standing history of disguising themselves and traipsing around Galilae pretending to be someone else. Someone unknown. They both enjoyed casting off the roles of princess and slave that bound them in their daily lives. It was amazing how easily a change of clothes and demeanor fooled people. The two had learned early on that people saw what they expected to see, so if they did not expect to casually meet the Princess of Galilae on the street, then they never realized that they had. All the sisters had to do was avoid anyone that knew them well and they ran a very low risk of being recognized. They’d always used that particular tunnel to get off of and back onto palace grounds unseen. It was sacred to them.

  “Persephone.” The general’s tone had dropped into that dangerous tenor, a sure sign that he did not believe her.

  She pretended to be oblivious. “General.”

  “Is there a tunnel in the Eastern Gardens?”

  On reflex, Persephone started to say no, the lie sliding smoothly between her lips. She stopped mid-word when she remembered telling Kolimpri she planned to lead them off grounds through a tunnel starting in the Eastern Gardens. Fuck! She clenched her teeth, hating that she had so carelessly divulged such a fact. Admittedly, it was possible – probable, even – that Kolimpri would not recall the detail. But Persephone knew from experience that it could be quite shocking the things that Koli knew. She was like a little sponge, soaking up bits of information, and then spilling them at random. At times she did so in completely inopportune moments, as she had done only a few hours ago.

  Would the general think to ask Kolimpri about the tunnels? Quite possibly; he was frustratingly thorough. Would Kolimpri remember that Persephone had mentioned that tunnel in particular? Probably not; she was four and Persephone had barely mentioned it. But what if it was one of those random tidbits that had stuck? There was no discernible pattern that Persephone could find for why Koli remembered some things and not others. Even if Kolimpri was never asked directly, all she needed to do was innocently spout it or ask about it at the wrong time.

  Persephone wanted to stay committed to the lie, but if she was caught in it, no matter how unlikely, the consequences were sure to be catastrophic. And it was not just her own well-being she was risking. Immediately seeing and hearing her hesitation, the general crowded her. Persephone refused to give an inch. Against her better judgment, she was going to tell the truth and she refused to behave guiltily for doing so.

  “Something to say, Princess?”

  “Yes,” she ground out through her still-clenched teeth.

  Furious, he grabbed her chin. “Yes, you’ve something to say? Or yes, there is a tunnel in the Eastern Gardens?”

  “Yes, there is a tunnel in the Eastern Gardens.”

  “I did warn you about lying to me.”

  “You did. And I told the truth.”

  “Not before attempting deception.”

  “I answered your questions as you asked them. If there was deception in the answering, it was because the bent of your questions was unclear.”

  His grip tightened at her words. “And yet, you attempted to lie before some thought snatched hold of your tongue when I did ask a clear question. What am I to do with that?”

  “If I am to be held to account for all I consider doing, you and I shall have a hard go of things,” she replied coldly. If he knew the number of ways she’d already killed him in her mind, he’d undoubtedly execute her.

  He released her face. She would soon have a bruise along her jaw to match the one coloring her cheek.

  “You more than I.”

  “Fuck. You.” Persephone spoke each word with slow precision.

  It was unwise to taunt him. She knew that. But if he retaliated – and she hoped he would – it would be immediate. Directed toward her. She would be unable to defend herself, lest she risk Seraphime, but she was spoiling for a fight.

  But he seemed to know it, and rather than rise to her baiting, he smiled mockingly. “I will, Princess. Later.”

  She hated him. Taking a beating was preferable to the anxiety surrounding the interminable waiting, the frustration of divulging her secrets. He’d not even give her that.

  “I am curious, what prompted you to change your answer when you would have lied?”

  “Fear of retribution.” It was true, even if it was only a fraction of the truth. More importantly, it was what he wanted to hear. Best let him think his present tactics were effective so he did not feel motivated to suddenly change them.

  “She told the little princess,” the captain mumbled, sounding slightly awed.

  Persephone felt her jaw tense once more. The fucking captain. She might hate him even more than the general. She couldn’t decide.

  “That is it, yes?” he asked her directly.

  Refusing to answer the question, she stared at him with a bitter sneer curving her lip. “She told Kolimpri and realized she could be caught in the lie,” the captain concluded, speaking to the general rather than to her.

  “So now I am to be held to account for my motives as well? I believed myself to be quite clear that my unwavering loyalty was not yours to have.” She ignored the captain and spoke directly to the general. As far as she was concerned, she had made no agreements with the captain, and she didn’t care what he thought of her. She didn’t particularly care what Augustine thought either, but for some things, it would be helpful if he didn’t consider her wholly untrustworthy. Presently, he was observing her with the same wary eye with which one observed a venomous snake, so she would have some making up to do.

  “So you did,” the general admitted grudgingly.

  Persephone was not about to grovel now, especially not in front of the captain. “Have we finished, then?”

  “For the moment.”

  “Good. Then I would like a bath and to see Seraphime, as agreed.”

  “No stochasmos today. The hour is late.”

  “She may still help me to bathe. Or am I to remain in filth?”

  “Hoping to tell her what she may disclose and what she may not?” The general posed it as a question. In reality it was an accusation.

  “Hardly.” She did need to warn Seraphime that she had revealed the secret about the Eastern Gardens, so they could be consistent, but in general it was not necessary that Persephone actually tell her what could or could not be disclosed. These things were already known between them. Mostly Persephone just needed to see her. Reassure herself that her sister was safe and well. “You’ve guards stationed. I could hardly tell her anything of import. As her well-being is part of our bargain, I would like the opportunity to see for myself how she fares.”

  The general nodded at his captain, who moved from the room, presumably to gather Seraphime and make preparations. His absence left the general’s full attention on her.

  “Your captain. Which of the Brothers is he?” Persephone wasn’t sure he would answer any question she posed. She did want to know, but more than answers, she wanted to prevent him asking further questions of his own.

  “You do know your politics. Very impressive, Princess. Cato is here with me. His brother, Cade, is nearby with the rest of my division.”

  The Brothers Numitor were nearly as infamous as the General Augustine Sempronius. The Reaper. As far as she knew they had trained in the same brigade and all three had quickly risen through the ranks. When Sempronius had been promoted to general, the Brothers had chosen to stay with him. The general’s name was by far the most renowned of the three, but it was largely accepted that his military success was based on their collaborative efforts. A familiar weight settled itself on her chest. She really had no idea how they were going to make their way out of this alive. And with Galilae intact. They had to try, though.

  “Will the rest of your division be joining you?” She did her best to prev
ent the hopelessness she felt from infusing itself into her voice.

  The general smiled, but it held no warmth. “Come. You will enjoy being clean.”

  Likely that was a yes, but it was also an end to the conversation. When he moved toward the door, she had no choice but to follow.

  * * * *

  The bathhouse wasn’t really a house, but a cavernous room located on the western side of the palace. The center of the room was dominated by a pool-sized bath. Around the sides, there were several smaller alabaster tubs, each kept at various temperatures by well-controlled braziers underneath the hollow floor. Fresh water was brought in via the aqueducts scattered all through the kingdom and palace.

  Seraphime awaited Persephone in the hottest tub, the only one Persephone used anymore. No less than six Perdoman guards stood around the room. Two at each entrance. She wasn’t clear on all of the details, but they must be very alarmed about Persephone to keep her so heavily guarded. Wise of the Perdomans, even if it disadvantaged her and her sister.

  When Persephone entered the room, she immediately noticed the number of guards as well, and she did not mask her amusement. “I shall be naked and sans weapons. How troublesome do you think I can be?” Said mockingly to her escort, the general himself.

  “Immensely, I’ve no doubt.” Despite his words, he snapped his fingers and pointed at the door to the main hall. Three of the soldiers, one from each entry, exited with a nod.

  “Gratitude.” Persephone shot him a charming, albeit false, smile.

  Most people couldn’t tell the difference. Nothing escaped notice between Persephone and Seraphime.

  When he left, Persephone made her way over to the tub. Quickly shedding her clothes, she clasped Seraphime’s outstretched hands and dropped into the water next to her.

  “Are they treating you well?” Persephone spoke softly. They were being watched far too closely to hope their conversation wasn’t also being monitored. At least whispering offered a semblance of privacy.

  “I am yet untouched. Others have not fared so well.”