Roman leaned against the balcony outside of his bedroom, staring down at his hands. How had his knuckles gotten so bruised and bloody? He flexed his fingers, wincing against the pain. It felt so foggy, like clips of something just out of reach - what had it been? 

He'd dreamed again last night - dreamed of them, of her. He could see her face, her chin lifted as she smiled, flour still on her nose. He knew something about her, something secret...something he wasn't supposed to tell.

What was it?

And Maverick. He could see Maverick grinning at him, clapping him on the shoulder, fighting alongside him. 

Where could they be? 

Bainon and Eric were still on the run, and the more weeks that passed, the more Helena worried for Maverick's safety. She didn't know about Gwen--didn't know what Roman knew--and didn't care what had happened to the baker. 

The most concerning thing, according to Helena, was Finny's absence. Surely Maverick's Watcher knew where he was, knew what had happened to him, and yet her silence had sent a ripple through the Militia.

Had Finny not survived the battle? What happened to an Ancient when they were killed? Helena didn't think it possible.

"Only an Ancient could kill another Ancient. Unless she betrayed one of the others, I don't see how she could have been done in by them."

"What if someone betrayed her?" Roman had asked, but Helena wouldn't hear of it.

Where are you? Maverick? Gwen? 

Youlden wasn't any help. He was almost never to be found, off running errands for Helena, but when he was around, he only moped from room to room, mourning the loss of those who had led him to the Militia.

"I never wanted to fight," he told Roman on one of the rare occasions they found themselves alone together. "I joined because they needed me. What am I supposed to do when they aren't here?"

"You keep looking. That's what you're doing, right? Traveling around, looking for them?"

"Looking, yeah. But not finding."

That had been weeks and weeks ago. Roman hadn't seen him since, although Helena received frequent reports. 

Thus far, news of Narissa's death and Bainon's disappearance hadn't spread beyond Osha's walls. The people were kept content under Aundreya's guidance. This, according to Helena, was paramount.

"If word spreads people will be up in arms. We don't have Maverick, and therefore don't have an heir to the throne. If Tarvril's brat is out there somewhere and hears of this, he might come insisting his claim for the throne."

"Her claim," Roman had said, but Helena hadn't heard him. Besides, Roman knew Gwen didn't want it.

Was she with Maverick at this very moment? Were they in trouble? And what of Noelle? Her body hadn't been amongst the deceased, but Roman hadn't heard from her either. Had Eric and Bainon managed to overcome all of them?

With Maverick's strength, that seemed unlikely. 

"Roman," a voice said from behind, snapping him out of his reverie. He turned and Aundreya rested a hand on her hip, her lips curling in a smile. "Thinking of me? Did you miss me?" 

No. The thought, firm and solid, gave Roman a moment of clarity. No, he didn't miss her. Something was wrong with her - he needed space to breathe. 

"Your hands! My poor darling. Did that awful Army man's face do this to you?" Images of his fists smashing into a man's face flooded Roman's mind. She took one hand, cooing over his injuries. "I can sentence him to death. Would that make it better?"

"No." 

Aundreya jerked up, eyes wide. "No?"

"No." Roman swallowed. "If he dies, you won't be able to get information from him."

"You're so smart." She tweaked his nose. It took everything in his power not to jerk away. "That's why you're king."

"I'm not king," Roman said, frowning. "Bainon is, and Maverick is meant to be."

"And he will be. As soon as we find out where they've taken him." Aundreya sidled up to Roman, snuggling against his chest. "We're searching everywhere. They can't hide forever."

"What if he doesn't want to be found?" Roman asked, his whole body tense under her touch. "What if he left of his own volition?"

"He was going to be king, he wouldn't leave."

"But--"

"Stop talking!" Aundreya's order had Roman's mouth clamped shut. The hateful rage in her eyes sent a chill down his spine, but not quite as terrible as when her expression softened, the cat and mouse once again. "Even if he did, we'll find him. He'll be brought back and made to see reason, but I can't imagine he'd ever go anywhere away from the Militia."

"Becuase of Noelle?"

"What?" 

He knew it was a sore spot. He liked to hit it anytime he had the clarity to do so. Aundreya lies. 

"Because he wouldn't leave Noelle, you mean? Or have you forgotten how he feels about her? I keep telling you, but you never listen." 

"You'll not mention it again," Aundreya said through clenched teeth. "My sister has nothing for him. Not anymore. She's only a cheap version of me. If he ever--it was only because he was thinking of me."

"No, I don't think so." Roman felt a thrill at defying her. It was a rare occurrence, and he had to hold onto it. "In fact, he avoided her for some time because she reminded him of you, and he hated you."

"NO HE DIDN'T!" Her hand flew at his face, but he caught her wrist, too quick for her.

"Do you ever wonder if he kissed her? Do you ever wonder what he said to her that he never said to you? I wonder how well she knew him.  I suppose you can't ask either of them."

"He never touched her. And even if he did he never would again, not after-"

"Aundreya, Roman, stop shouting this instant!" Helena stood at the balcony door, her long silver hair braided into a crown atop her head. "What will people think?"

"This is his fault. You know it's his fault." Aundreya poked Roman in the chest. "He won't mind!"

"He's not a weakminded fool like your other beaus, dear." Helena put a hand on Aundreya's shoulder and pushed her away from Roman. "That's why I chose him."

"But Maverick -" 

"I don't care about that idiot. He never knew what he was doing. This boy, here." Helena cupped Roman's face, filling him with fear. "He's like a grandson to me. I helped raise him--I saved him and his mother from death. He owes me everything. He knows better than to disobey me. Don't you?"

There was an electricity in the air, a sudden, potent danger that Roman hadn't noticed before. This woman he'd trusted had given him to Aundreya, let her play her mind games, and now she stood before him, insisting he obey.

Obey or die.

"Yes, Helena," he said. Her grip on his face slackened. 

"That's my boy."

#

Roman waited for them to leave, following Helena's orders, doing as she asked. When once again on his own, Roman ran his hands through his hair, his heart thumping in panic.

What do I do? What do I do? I could run - leave them. They couldn't use me anymore.

But what about all those Army men in the dungeon? They'll kill them.

I could free them.

I could free them all.

Roman sucked in a breath, thankful to have an idea. Now all he needed was a plan - a plan and a few people he could trust.

Yay! Roman is breaking free of their hold! But for how long? What if they notice? Think he can keep up the act? Let me know in the comments! 

Muah!