Free Valle : Book 2 of the Heku Series by T.M. Nielsen

back and wrapped his arms around her waist, one hand coming to rest of the small bulge in her abdomen, then kissed her neck.
    Emily pulled away from him, “Just leave me alone.” She left his office and slammed the door.
    Frustrated, Emily walked the halls of the castle for a few minutes then stopped suddenly. Her eyes fell on the door that led down to the dungeon. She thought for a moment, and then walked down the stairs.
    “Ma’am?” the closest guard said as she walked into the cell area.
    She ignored him and walked toward the first row of cells.
    “Ma’am, you can’t be in here,” he said, following her.
    Emily spun on him, “You going to stop me?”
    His eyes grew wide, “Ma’am, the Chief Enforcer said you weren’t to be down here.”
    “Oh did he? Didn’t the Chief Enforcer also tell you all not to savor me?” She raised her eyebrows.
    “I… I didn’t!” he said, horrified.
    “Then I suggest you let me be, or we’ll find out who he believes more, you or me.” She stared at him and he turned and walked away, confused.
    Emily went cell to cell and watched the reaction of the prisoners. Most ran to the bars, slamming into them and reaching out for her. She didn’t flinch or jump back, she just walked past them, not sure exactly what she was looking for. In the last cell on the second row, she noticed a heku who sat calmly on his bed and watched her.
    She stopped at his cell, “Hello.”
    “Hello, Child,” he said politely.
    She watched him for a moment, “I don’t like being called Child.”
    “My apologies then,” he said, then stood up and walked slowly to the bars. His face was sincere.
    “What’s your name?” she asked the prisoner.
    “David”
    She looked into his eyes, “You aren’t like the others in here.”
    “No, I am not,” he said matter-of-factly.
    “Are you Equites?” She stepped a little closer to him.
    “I am Encala.” He took a step away from the bars.
    “Why are you here?”
    He smiled, “Are you supposed to be down here?”
    “No, I guess I’m not.”
    “Then why are you? You are with child, no? It’s not safe for you down here,” he said, watching her.
    Emily reached down and touched the small bump on her abdomen. She forgot that she was still wearing her jogging clothes.
    “Why are you here?” she asked again.
    He studied her carefully, “You first. Why are you down here among the violent when you should be upstairs where it is safe?”
    Emily sighed, “I’m down here because I was curious who else was.”
    “Why is that?”
    “I spent some time in a dungeon recently, and I suspect not everyone in the dungeon belongs there.” She sat down across from his cell with her back against the wall.
    “Fair enough… I am here because I was a spy.” He sat down by the bars across from her.
    “A spy? What were you spying on?” she asked. She knew it was being nosey.
    “You, of course,” he said, smiling slightly.
    “Me? Why would you spy on me?”
    “The Encala are curious why the Valle would kidnap a mortal, and why the Equites would fight so hard to rescue you.”
    “How long do you have to stay here?” She looked at the dark, gloomy cell.
    “Forever”
    “Seriously? Just for spying? Did you intend to kidnap me?”
    “No, all I sought was information.”
    “Who sentenced you to life for such a small crime?”
    “The Chief Enforcer of the Equites.”
    Emily sighed, “That’d be my husband.”
    “All the more reason you shouldn’t be down here,” he said, amused.
    “You too, eh… can no one let me do what I want?”
    “Do what you want around me, that is fine. I was just expressing my concerns that there might be some down here who intend you harm.” He brought one knee up and placed his arm on it.
    “What do you do all day down here?” Her eyes looked past him to his cell, and all she could see was a small metal bed.
    “Think mostly, it’s quite boring.” He turned around and looked at the stark cell.
    “Can I get you