Free War (The True Reign Series) by Jennifer Anne Davis Page A

Their chance of escape was slim. However, he believed one person could evade capture easier than all six could.
    “ I suggest we skiddattle,” Audek said.
    “ What do you want to do, Darmik?” Savenek asked.
    “ I hate to ask this of you,” he said, “but I think we need to split up—just the two of us. Leave everyone else here as a distraction.”
    “ All righty.” Audek laid back down on the table. “Lock me in.”
    Savenek rushed over and reattached the manacles. “For Rema.”
    “ Yes,” Audek said. “For our queen.”
    Darmik heard voices. “Hurry!” He and Savenek ran from the room.
    When they reached the bottom of a flight of stairs, they heard noises coming from the top and from behind them. They were boxed in.
    “ I’m sorry,” Darmik said.
    “ For what?”
    “ This.” Darmik punched Savenek in the stomach, and he doubled over in pain. Emperion guards rushed into the corridor, surrounding them with their swords drawn.
    “ It’s about time you arrive,” Darmik said. “Detain him, and take me to see my uncle.”
     

    Rema
     
    Rema held on for dear life, sweat dripping down her face and back. She couldn’t believe how humid it was. The closer they got to Emperion, the hotter it became.
    “ Excellent!” Nathenek yelled up to her. “Now slide down, careful not to burn your hands.”
    It was beautiful up here. Nathenek had made her climb one of the ropes attached to the mizzenmast. It reminded her of being on top of her cliff back home. The wind whipped around her body, making her feel as if she were flying. For the past two weeks, Nathenek had been pushing her harder and harder each day. The result—her muscles were tone and far stronger than before.
    Keeping her legs hooked around the rope like he showed her, she began lowering herself. Four feet from the bottom, she let go, jumping onto the deck.
    “ Are your hands hurt?” he asked.
    “ Nope.” She held them up to show him. Her hands were red and calloused, but stronger than they had ever been before.
    “ Good, let’s practice the sword work I taught you yesterday.”
    For the next two hours, they ran through the drill, side by side, mimicking one another, moving in perfect unison. Rema thoroughly enjoyed working with Nathenek. He was an excellent instructor, patient, and she learned a great deal from him. When they practiced together, his cold exterior melted away and he was actually pleasant to be around.
    When they stopped for a water break, the captain of the ship came over.
    “ Land has been spotted,” he informed them. “We should arrive at sunset.”
    Fear coursed through Rema. This was it. She ’d managed to forget about her execution by focusing on training. Everything was about to change.
    “ Thank you,” Nathenek said to the ship’s captain. “We’ll be in my room preparing. Let me know when we’re about to dock.”
    The captain nodded and left. Rema kept her mouth shut as she followed Nathenek to his berth. The second she stepped foot on land, she would escape. She would need to be fully aware of her surroundings and ready to run or hide when the opportunity presented itself. Her stomach twisted in pain just thinking of what she was about to face.
    Nathenek closed and locked his door. “We need to talk.” He went over to the footlocker and opened it. “When I first kidnapped you, this was around your neck.” He dug around inside and pulled out her key necklace.
    “ That’s mine!” She went to grab the chain, but Nathenek stood, raising it out of her reach.
    “ Where did you get it?” he asked.
    “ It’s a family heirloom,” she said. “Give it back.”
    “Do you have any idea what this means?” he asked.
    “Yes, I do.” Rema folded her arms across her chest. “I know exactly what it means. Do you?”
    He lowered the necklace, placing the key on his palm. “Tell me,” he demanded.
    “Not that it’s any of your business, but that necklace has been handed down through the generations of my