Chapter 22 – The Lavender Heir

Castle Escape

Chapter 22 – Castle Escape

The dining hall was cold and silent, the flicker of candles casting long shadows on the stone walls. Sasha and William were seated at the far end of the table, opposite Cian. Platters of roasted meat and bread were laid out before them, but no one spoke.

Sasha forced herself to eat, chewing slowly as she watched Cian across the table. Every movement of his was measured, deliberate—the way he carved his meat, the way he dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin. He was always in control.

She sipped the wine offered to her, its bitter tang steadying her nerves. When she was sure no one was looking, she slipped one of the small knives from the cutlery into her boot, the cold steel pressing against her ankle.

No one noticed.

The meal continued in heavy silence until Cian finally rose. “Take them back,” he said softly, his pale eyes lingering on Sasha for a heartbeat too long.

They were escorted back to their room and locked in once more.

Sasha waited until the sound of boots faded from the corridor, then pulled the knife from her boot. With William watching silently, she wedged it into the lock and worked it back and forth.

A sharp click echoed in the darkness.

The door was open.

Sasha turned to William, crouching down so they were eye level. “We have to be careful,” she whispered. “I’m going to hide you somewhere safe. You can’t move, no matter what happens, do you understand?”

William’s lip trembled, but he nodded.

She led him quietly down the hall to the linen cupboard—the same one she had hidden in once before—and tucked him behind the stacks of folded sheets. She cupped his small face in her hands. “I’ll be back for you,” she promised. “Don’t make a sound.”

The door closed softly, plunging him into darkness.


—

Moments later, Sasha crept back through the silent corridors to the dining hall. She slid beneath the long tablecloth, her heart hammering.

Voices approached.

“…the car packed up,” Cian was saying. “We leave soon.”

“And the boy? The woman?” one of the men asked.

“They’re coming with me,” Cian replied. “Only two of you will accompany us. The rest will remain and keep the castle secure. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir.”

Sasha held her breath as their footsteps retreated. Her heart thundered with a mix of fear and hope.

This was her chance.

She hurried back to the linen cupboard and pulled William into her arms. “It’s time,” she whispered. “Stay quiet.”


—

The plan unfolded just as Cian had ordered. The men came for them minutes later, escorting Sasha and William through the courtyard to the waiting car. Cian was already behind the wheel, his pale gaze sweeping over them as the two men climbed into another vehicle that would follow close behind.

Sasha settled into the back seat, clutching William close as the engine roared to life. The second car pulled out behind them, its headlights cutting through the misty night.

She didn’t know where Cian was taking them, but one thing was certain.

She couldn’t let them arrive.