68 Chapter 68 - a helping hand? 2

"Fine," Faun agreed, his response forced out of him. "How are you going to help me escape?"

"That's not something for you to worry about, I'll make all the arrangements, you just have to show up here in two days, same time." Allan said lightly, "If you want to, of course. You can always stand me up whenever you change your mind."

Faun's brow furrowed as he deeply thought about it, for some reason, he kind of felt bad about the thought of standing Allan up. The werewolf didn't have to help him and he was also taking a risk as well.

He nodded this time and then turned around to hurry back to the kitchen. Now that he was away from Allan, panic started to set in. He had spent more time away than he had been planning to, he was sure that Cade had returned, at least. He really hoped that this wouldn't hinder his movements further, thus making it impossible for him to meet up with Allan at the agreed time.

At the next turn, he came up to the kitchen, pleasantly surprised to find no one in front standing guard. His relief was shortlived however because the thought that Cade had already returned and couldn't find him reared its ugly head.

It was quickly dispersed by the werewolf in question briskly walking over, "I'm really sorry for the delay," He apologized, holding a basketful of apples.

Faun quickly masked his expression, "I should be the one apologizing for the trouble," He replied in turn, taking the basket and disappearing behind the kitchen door.

His sigh of relief weighed down his whole body, he couldn't believe that he had actually made it! He placed the basket on a counter and took his seat, needing to calm his nerves.

Outside, Cade had a frown on his face, for some reason the kitchen staff had taken their precious time getting him what he asked for. So much so that Faun had come out to check for him, he had seen the worried look of the hybrid's face which he quickly hid behind a polite smile.

If Ash had been here, he would have been able to look after the hybrid - he thought with a scowl, scanning around the hallway he was standing in. Where was that idiot?

Ash did show up a couple of hours later, his expression so dark that Cade's litany of scoldings he had prepared for his partner instantly died on his lips.

"What got stuck up your ass?"

"Lola made me go shopping with her," He said tightly, dark brown hair a mess like he had spent the entire time pulling on it in frustration.

Cade made a face, "She's still in the palace?" 

"I thought she was gone too but turns out she had just been laying low." Ash grumbled, "Next time you're it." He jabbed Cade in the chest.

Cade allowed him with a small side smile, all his worries instantly evaporating at the presence of his impulsive and a little stupid partner. "Lola finds me repulsive," He said proudly.

Ash shot him a look, "Is that something to brag about- actually, yes it is," He corrected himself quickly. "How do you do it? Help a friend out, won't you?"

The door swung open before Cade could reply, his dark blue eyes cloudy.

"Would you like some muffins? Or pie?" Faun replied, able to muster a small smile now that he had such a great chance of getting his life back.

Ash didn't hesitate, "You're the best Faun," He sniffled, marching right in. "I just had the worst morning ever…"

Cade hung around the door, a niggling feeling at the back of his mind. It felt like he was missing out an important detail, a detail that would make everything click into place but it was just out of reach. Plus the sight of Ash stuffing his face was too distracting.

It was probably nothing. He had just been worried about Ash's unexplained absence but everything was fine now.

-*-

Allan returned to his room to find Lola waiting for him, her unexpected presence made irritation rise up. "You're back," He noted flatly.

Lola was immediately up and by his side, the glittery leather mini skirt she wore riding up further as she stuck a pose, clinging to his arm, "I distracted one of Declan's bodyguards as you said, what do I get?"

"You can sit beside him at dinner as you wanted, I'll take you," Allan said, already walking away from Lola.

Lola sat on an ottoman and crossed her long slender legs, blonde hair swept over a shoulder. "You're no fun," She teased. "Why don't you sneak me into his room instead?"

Allan kept a straight face, unwilling to tell her that that was impossible not because he couldn't do it but because there was a ninety percent chance Declan would murder her, and then come for his throat as well.

"You should try getting his approval first before going that far," He muttered, his tone bored.

He had never had a single interest in Lola because Declan couldn't care less about her but she could be useful sometimes. He had big plans to craft though so he needed to be alone, he dismissed her shortly after that, getting to work.

It wasn't going to be an easy task sneaking out the hybrid solely because he belonged to Declan. He would have to be extra careful pulling this off, there were a lot of risks involved.

Yet his usually dead eyes were the brightest they had ever been, the thought of being able to take something important from Declan was enough to make the risks pale in comparison.

Lola stood outside Allan's door for a few seconds, a frown on her beautiful face, she had been feeling like this ever since Declan returned. She couldn't describe the feeling, it was like she was floating in space, she felt lost.

She had convinced herself that she just had to wait for Declan to return, then they would get married and she would be in line to become the queen. But Declan hadn't even acknowledged her presence once, instead, he had spent his days and nights working himself to the bone for some hybrid he picked off the streets.