Chapter 969
Chapter 969:
“I’ve got potions to brew,” he said, his tone light as a feather. “Time is ticking, and I can’t afford to dawdle.”
With that, he spun on his heel and darted off, his pace brisk and unsteady—like a deer fleeing a hunter’s arrow.
Watching his retreating figure, flustered and hurried, only fueled the fire of suspicion blazing within me. What was he concealing? Who was he, truly? Still, I knew pushing him now would be like squeezing water from a stone—useless.
With a heavy sigh, I tucked the riddle of Jett away for later.
Right now, a more pressing task loomed; Alden needed to know his name was in the clear. He was still cooped up in the prison, and I couldn’t waste another second.
Steeling myself, I set off for the prison.
The guards, already tipped off by the princes, waved me through with a cursory glance.
I navigated the shadowy corridors, the air thick with damp and gloom, until I reached Alden’s cell.
Peering through the iron bars, I spotted him sprawled across a tattered bed in the corner, one leg dangling lazily off the edge, the other propped up. An arm cradled his head, and a piece of straw danced between his lips. He looked more like a guest lounging at a countryside inn than a man under suspicion.
At the sound of my footsteps, Alden tilted his head with sleepy curiosity. But when his eyes landed on me, the drowsy haze vanished. He sprang upright, the straw tumbling from his mouth, replaced by a grin that could light up the dimmest dungeon.
“Ailyn! What brings you here? Got any good tidings? Have you scrubbed my name clean? Have you come to get me out?”
I edged closer, my eyes darting around the cell, unease prickling at my spine. Cody’s reach was long and shadowy—his spies could be lurking even here.
𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀⫰⩸ℭ𝗈𝗺
Keeping my cool, I offered a casual smile. “The three princes are on the case. They’ll have your innocence shining like polished silver soon enough.”
With a sly wink, I tipped Alden off to the truth beneath my words.
Alden caught on in a flash, his grin widening as he played along, throwing his hands up with a carefree shrug. “Well then, I’ll leave it in your capable hands.”
I was on the verge of saying more when he edged in closer, his eyes narrowing just a touch, a playful spark dancing within them. “But, Ailyn,” he murmured, his voice laced with mischief, “I’m aching for you something awful. The moment I’m free, we’ll kick up our heels and set the world ablaze together!”
His words sent a flush creeping up my neck, my cheeks blooming with heat. I was about to shoot him a mock glare when a voice, sharp and icy as a winter wind, sliced through the moment from behind.
“Mrs. Burton, you’re a married woman. Cozying up to Mr. Cloud like this—aren’t you worried your husband might turn green with envy?”
Makenna’s POV:
Alden’s face clouded over in an instant, the cocky grin evaporating like mist under a harsh sun, replaced by a taut, watchful edge.
He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a whisper so faint it barely brushed my ears. “It’s Cody.”
My chest tightened like a coiled spring, and I whipped around to see for myself.
There he was—Cody, marching toward us with a posse of attendants in tow, his lips curled into that fake smile of his. The corners of his mouth tilted upward, but his eyes? They were twin shards of ice, devoid of any warmth.
.
.
.