Page 96 of The Big Bad Duke

She believed he was simply too injured to remain conscious for extended periods. His body needed rest to heal, needed time to recover from the beating he had endured on her behalf.

She didn’t know how they were going to manage their escape. She had spoken confidently about having a plan, but the truth was far more precarious. The dagger hidden beneath her gave them a weapon, but they were still trapped in a cell, still surrounded by guards, still weak from days of inadequate food and water.

But they needed to make their move soon. Every moment they delayed increased the chances of discovery, the likelihood that the Cardinal would arrive. And once that happened, she knew that neither of them would leave this place alive.

* * *

Gideon awoke at dusk.

The first sensation was pain—a dull, persistent throb that radiated from his ribs with each shallow breath. His left eye felt swollen shut, and when he attempted to move his head, a sharp spike of agony shot through his skull.

How long have I been out?

The cell was dim, shadows pooling in the corners where the dying light from the tiny window couldn’t reach. He blinked his eyes, trying to focus.

He didn’t remember the guards entering their cell in the morning, but there was an empty bowl and cup by his side. Had Leila fed him, and he didn’t even remember it?

She still sat beside him, her arm threaded through his, his body leaning against her slender form. Her warmth was the only comfort in this cold, damp place. He could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing and the faint scent of flowers that clung to her despite their circumstances. When he shifted slightly, she tensed.

“Did the guard come in the morning?” he asked, his voice barely more than a rasp. His throat felt like he had swallowed glass.

“Yes,” she replied, her voice calm and sure.

“I didn’t hear him,” he admitted, the taste bitter on his tongue.

While he had been sleeping, unaware of what was happening, the guards could have hurt Leila without him knowing.

Fortunately, Leila wasn’t a helpless damsel. She had that dagger beside her that they managed to hide from the guards. They were unshackled, although the guards didn’t know that.

But if that hadn’t been the case… Gideon didn’t want to think about what might have happened.

They needed to escape.

Now.

His eyes swept their prison cell for what felt like the hundredth time. The tiny window that allowed a bit of sunlight during the day was too small—barely wide enough for his fist to fit through. Even Leila, with her delicate frame, wouldn’t fit through it, much less his broad shoulders.

The door was locked from the outside. They couldn’t get to it, even with the dagger.

So they had no choice but to wait for someone to enter their cell. He had already missed one opportunity.

He flexed his fingers, testing his grip strength. Still weak, but functional. His legs felt like lead, but he could move them. He’d have to make do.

“You should have woken me up,” he said gruffly. “We needed to escape.”

Leila turned to study his face, her dark eyes searching his features.

“You were too weak. You wouldn’t have been able to stand, much less run. And if we needed to fight…” She paused, her gaze lingering on a particularly dark bruise on his ribs. “I don’t think you’d fare well either.”

“You’re underestimating me.” He tried to sit up straighter to prove her wrong, but even that small movement left him breathless.

Damn it all to hell.

“Perhaps,” she said softly. “But as a healer, I’ve seen many men as bruised as you. You’ll regain your strength, but that requires actual rest.”

He found himself studying her profile in the dim light. Even here, in this moment, there was something compelling about her: the elegant line of her neck, the way shadows danced across her sharp cheekbones, the determined set of her mouth. She was beautiful, yes, but it was more than that. There was a strength in her that he was only beginning to understand.

“Tell me,” he said suddenly, “how does a healer become an assassin? You said you were fourteen when you crossed paths with the Cardinal?”