Chapter 111

Cassie

Crawling on my hands and knees I pushed against the giant stone blocks, trying to find the one that would push outwards into my mates cell. Ian had found it straight away I wished I had paid attention because even though the pain was fading now, the fear had intensified.

I had never realised before how much I could feel Julian even when we weren't together. We were connected because we were more than just husband and wife , we were fated mates.

That connection felt faint now and I knew what that meant. He was dying, so close to death that the flicker of his life's flame could snuff out at any second.

Fighting back the urge to scream I scrambled forward, pushing with all my might and the block moved an inch. "Thank the goddess." Using all of my strength I slid it out enough for me to peer into the dark cell and the relief died on my lips.

No one was moving around, the room was empty. Empty apart from Julian who was up against the wall. One arm shackle high and his head drooping so low that his chin seemed pressed against his chest. He was limp and unmoving.

Dread filled my gut.

"Julian?" I whispered. Nervously I inched forward. He didn't move. "Julian my love-" the words died on my  tongue as I saw the knife protruding out of his chest. That was the reason I had felt that stabbing pain because he had been stabbed.

Unconsciously I rubbed at my own chest.

Moving as quickly and quietly as I could I scrambled through and climbed to my feet. Moving towards him I lifted his face. Pressing my fingers to his throat to check for a pulse and the entire time my heart slammed into my ribs in a panic.

"Please please." I couldn't find it. I couldn't-

He blinked at me, the corners of his mouth twitched upwards before turning down again in pain. "You shouldn't be here." He whispered and his voice was weak.

Too weak for my liking.

"Cassie? Is that really you?" He tried to move his arm and failed.

"It's me." I smoothed back his hair tenderly. "I'm going to help you ok?"

"No." Julian's eyes flashed and for a second he looked angry. "Go away. They could come back and-" he coughed and blood splattered over his lips and chin. Somewhere inside he was bleeding as well.

This was really really bad.

"I need to check the wound." I stepped back and my foot slipped in his blood. Glancing down I stifled a cry with my fist. Biting down on my fingers.

There was too much blood.

If the internal injuries didn't kill him then the blood loss would. I had to do something otherwise I would lose him in this disgusting room.

"I'm going to try and break these chains."

Again he shook his head. "No you can't. They know you are still around and could come back. You need to leave." He surged forward and smashed his lips back to mine. "Leave now Cassie , take my sons and run. Don't look back. Push me out of your mind and-" he cried out as my fingers slipped around the blade buried in his chest. I probed the wound, jostling the blade.

"No." Frowning I leant in close. The knife had to come out because it was pinning him into the wall but I didn't have anything to stem the bleeding when I pulled it out. And I had to -

Reaching above my head I closed both of my hands around the chain and yanked down with everything I had. It groaned but it didn't shift.

"Stop it Cassie." Julian moaned. "Just leave. That's an order."

"Fuck you." Biting down on my lips I pulled again. Using every ounce of strength that I had. It was useless , I wasn't strong enough.  "I am not yours to order away. I am yours to love."

"What the fuck are you doing Cassie?" I heard Ian crawl out behind me. His voice was low and menacing.

I glanced behind me for barely a second. "He's dying. I need him free so I can pull out the blade and stem the bleeding. So stop glaring at me and help."

"Get her away from me."

Ian ignored Julian's order and came to stand by my side.

"Niall and Noah?" I whispered as both our hands closed around the chain and began to pull it down and away from the wall.

"Safe but we can't be found here Cassie. So you best have a fucking plan."

"I do." I lied. "Kind of." The plan was to free the king and then drag him into the hidden passages with us. Yes our enemies would know we had been here but they knew that already. I had faith that Ian could get us out before they found us. And if he couldn't , at least we would die fighting side by side.

"We are getting him out of here."

Ian blinked at me for a second and then he nodded silently. "I am not even going to argue with you Cassie. I'll deal with the shackles but you best get that knife out of him quick so we can drag him out of here." He turned to Julian. "Can you here me old friend?"

Julian nodded.

"The moment she pulls that knife out you shift. Your wolf will be able to start healing you. Do you hear me?"

"No." Julian spat blood from his mouth. "You take my wife and children and get them out of here. Look after them. Take her as your mate and protect them. I will die here happily knowing they are safe."

"Fuck you Julian." I seethed. Moving in front of him I closed my hand around the blade and nodded to Ian. "Ready when you are."

"No." Julian screamed and I winced back. "You have to leave Cassie. I reject you-" he began to say but at that moment Ian snapped the chains , I yanked the blade out, fumbling for a second so the point of the blade grated loudly in the stone.

He fell forward and I stumbled trying to catch his weight.

Ian turned sharply, his fist smashing into Julian's jaw sending him toppling into his arms instead.

"Forgive me your highness." He caught him under the arms and began to drag him towards the small opening. "I think she rejects your rejection."