Chapter 14: Sweet Release

Mercy Hall

She views him with skepticism for several seconds, contemplating what she should do.

Should I tell him my name, she wonders, or should I keep that information to myself?

After a bit of soul-searching, she sees no harm in a brief exchange of general information.

"Mercy." She sinks her teeth into the fruit, once more. The sweet juices trickle down from the corners of her lips. She wipes her face with the cuff of the shirtsleeve.

Muffled voices outside of the room carry.

She freezes in place. Her twin hearts blast-off in a gallop.

A guard enters. He has dark hair and chocolate eyes like Ambrose.

She scuttles across the bed while keeping both men in full view. Chin up, she locks gazes with the single guard and recognition sinks in.

"You're the one called Braylin."

"I am. And you're the untied hell spawn who cracked my nose." Braylin turns his attention to Ambrose. "I see it's up and now speaking."