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“I was defending you.”

Sofia’s stomach twisted, unsure if she was angry at Mina for getting hurt or whoever had taken a fist to her face. “I don’t need you defending me.”

“You didn’t hear what they were saying about you!”

“Exactly,” Sofia said, leading Mina over to the desk to sit. She kneeled in front of the girl. “I don’t care what they say when I’m not around. Gossiping about something doesn’t make it true. But what are real are these cuts.”

She pressed a finger close to the cut on Mina’s cheek. It had stopped bleeding, but the skin was still jagged and red around the edges.

“You should clean this with some water and soap. And you’re going to tell me who did this to you, so I can make sure you got enough hits in to make them regret it.”

Mina gave her a look that said she was very much not planning on giving up names. Sofia poked at the cut on her cheek with narrowed eyes, but didn’t argue. For now.

“There’s a washbasin two rooms down. I’m going to go get a wet towel and you are not going to move.” Sofia pushed the bookshelf to the secret room back against the wall until it clicked closed. She paused at the office door, listening for anyone on the other side before she rushed out and down the hall.

While the latrines were all on the same side of the manor, washrooms with basins of water were scattered throughout. The maids brought fresh water twice a day, providing the chief commander and his guests with a place to wash or get a drink. There was a full pitcher of water by the basin and clean towels folded neatly on the shelf. Thinking back on the books she’d read on inflammation and first aid, she wet the tip of the towel and rubbed some soap on it. She also snuck a glass of cold, fresh water, drying the cup and placing it back directly where it had been.

She slipped back into the office a minute later, Mina sitting obediently in Sofia’s chair next to the chief commander’s desk. She kneeled on the soft rug and brought the cloth to Mina’s cheek, ignoring the small girl’s flinch. Sofia could tell she was in pain, but she gritted her teeth and bore it as Sofia scrubbed the cut.

They both heard the commotion outside the office too late, Sofia having just enough time to stand at attention as the door burst open and Chief Commander Harlow and General Ocon came stalking into the office. Fear twisted deep in Sofia’s gut as she took in the splatters of blood across the general’s face and the cold rage painted across the chief commander’s.

His eyes flickered between the two girls and the office around them, looking for something. Whatever he saw seemed to light something in his eyes and he almost smiled.

“You’ve been reading,” the chief commander said, the words sending ice through Sofia’s veins. The cloth dropped from her hand and she began to tremble, the fear coursing through her body in a wave. A soldier stood behind the two officers, hand on his swords as if she posed any threat to these men.

“That’s the one,” the chief commander said, motioning for the soldiers to move. Sofia went cold. He wasn’t pointing as her. He was pointing at Mina. “That’s the office maid who’s been reading.”

General Ocon’s lips turned down in a small frown at the chief commander’s words, but he didn’t question it as the soldier moved between them and into the room.

Sofia tried to step in front of Mina, blocking the small girl from their views, but the soldier only shoved past her with a sneer. Mina let out a cry of pain as the man none-too-gently picked her up from the chair and twisted her arms behind her. She was cuffed a moment later, as if unbound she could have done anything against the towering solider.

She couldn’t stop herself as she moved to grab the soldier to try and free Mina. The general was quick to intercept, seizing her and twisting her arms behind her. She was useless when faced with the king’s men.

“Should I arrest this one for co-conspiracy?” he asked the chief commander, looking down at Sofia with abject disgust.

“I’ll deal with her personally.”

A cold numbness washed over Sofia’s body as Mina was dragged away, General Ocon not letting go of her until Mina had disappeared around the corner and the chief commander had motioned for him to leave. And then she and Chief Commander Harlow were left alone.

“She isn’t…she wasn’t…” Sofia said, the words barely coherent.

The chief commander strode forward like a wolf stalking his prey.

“You stupid, thieving, little bitch,” he hissed, spit flying from his mouth as he emphasized each word. “I didn’t want to believe the damned stableboy, but I should have known. You know how many soldiers heard him accuse my very own maid of treason?”

Sofia felt her lunch rising up and she folded, trying to breathe.No.She wasn’t even sure the words came out or if they were strangled and caught in her own brain.

Gabriel had betrayed her.

The chief commander grabbed her hair, yanking her neck back and forcing her to look up at him.

“You’re lucky you’re useful, dragon-filth. I’ll save you this one last time. You better make it worth it.”

He didn’t bother with requests or commands, but stood, dragging her along by her hair. They shuffled out of the office and down the back stairs until they were underground, Sofia stumbling beneath his grip. She knew the basement existed, but not even the servants were assigned to the floor, cobwebs and dust left to fester here unattended. It was a twisting maze of rooms and halls and Sofia wondered how the house could be so large. The chief commander threw her through a door and into a small room with a fire burning in the small hearth. The room was hot, nearly unbearable and she felt herself choking on the air.

“Give me your arm.”

The blood drained from her face as she saw the poker he pulled from the hearth. Not a poker, but a branding iron.