Everlasting - Iris Johansen [55]
Kira felt an answering smile tug at her lips. “In a manner of speaking, that was what we did… Sandor.”
“Ah, a break in the wall of your suspicion at last,” he said with a sigh of relief. “Now, if you'll just cooperate a little further and tell me how you manage to get in and out of the palace without being seen, we just might get out of here alive, sweet cousin.”
She hesitated and then said slowly, “There's a secret passage in my suite that leads under the front gate about a quarter of a mile into the woods and exits into a small cave.”
“Good! Then we may have a chance.” He cast a quick glance at Naldona. “He's still not stirring.” His hand tightened on her elbow. “You're my prisoner, understand? Most of these soldiers are men Naldona brought with him from his base and they won't take my orders. Naldona has made sure there won't be any division of loyalty in his personal aides.” He opened the door. “Try to look frightened and properly chastened, will you? It will be expected.”
“That won't be a chore,” Kira said ruefully. “My knees haven't stopped shaking since I stepped into this room.”
“I wouldn't have known it,” he said with surprising gentleness. “You're a very brave lady, Kira.”
Then, as he saw the soldier standing guard across the hall come to attention, his face set in harsh lines. He pushed her roughly out into the hall. “Straight ahead, and don't try anything stupid, bitch. It would give me great pleasure to stop any attempt at escape in the most painful way possible.”
NINE
KIRA DREW A breath of relief as the door of her suite closed behind them. The halls had been crowded with soldiers and every second she had expected to hear a shout behind them signaling that Naldona had regained consciousness and given the alarm.
“It's over here.” She ran across to the bookcase and turned the candelabra on the wall beside it. The bookcase began to open slowly.
“Interesting,” Sandor said as he joined her. “My home in Limtana has a secret passage too. Useful little additions, aren't they?” His glance traveled to the photograph of Naldona on the wall. “So that's the picture that caused all the uproar. I've never seen it before. I was out of the country when Naldona took to the hills.”
“I still can't believe what he's become.” Kira took a pen flashlight out of her pocket and flicked it on. “I thought he was so sincere.”
“So did I.” There was profound regret in Sandor's voice. “Perhaps he was at one time. Power has a habit of corrupting even the most idealistic of men.” He followed her into the passage and waited while she closed off the entrance. “So now, instead of having an absolute monarchy, we're going to have an absolute dictatorship.” His lips tightened grimly. “Until I can find a way of ousting him.”
“Can you do that?”
“I have to do it. He couldn't have grown this powerful without my help. I'm the one who created our Frankenstein and brought all this down on Tamrovia.” His eyes darkened. “But whatever happens, the monarchy is gone forever. You have to understand that. It was a dinosaur and the time had come for it to pass into oblivion.”
“I've realized that for a long time.” A tiny smile curved Kira's lips. “Did you think I'd be outraged that Stefan and I are out of jobs?”
“Not really.” He returned her smile with a warmth that startled her as he followed her down the steps. “I had an idea you were a republican at heart. It made it very difficult playing the rascally villain around you.”
“It didn't appear to cause you undue strain,” Kira said, casting him a grin over her shoulder. “You did it exceptionally well. You evidently have a certain flare for it.”
“Ouch,” he said,