Chapter 198: Frosty Matilda

'Think, you idiot,' he berated himself. 'You've got a valuable commodity they want. Use it.'He took a deep breath, wincing at the burning sensation in his lungs, and fixed the twins with his most charming smile. "Ladies," he said, "I think we may be able to help each other out. You're interested in my cart. I'm interested in staying alive. I'm sure we can come to some kind of arrangement."

The twins looked at each other, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, they turned back to Zafron.

"We're listening," they said in unison.

Zafron's smile widened. "Excellent. Now, here's what I propose. I know how that cart works – every gear, every spring, every little trick to keep it running in less-than-ideal conditions. That knowledge could be very valuable in a place like this, I imagine."

He paused, letting the implication sink in. The twins leaned forward slightly, their interest palpable even behind their masks.

"In exchange," Zafron continued, "I want one of your masks. Just one. You can keep the other, share it between you if you like. But I need protection, and I need it now."

The twins were silent for a long moment. Then, to Zafron's surprise, they began to laugh.

"Oh, honey," Shadow said, her voice dripping with amusement. "You really are new here, aren't you?"

Whisper nodded. "You think we'd give up one of our masks for a broken cart and some questionable expertise? Please."

They stepped closer, their body language shifting once again. Now, instead of suspicion or curiosity, they radiated a predatory kind of interest that made Zafron's skin crawl.

"But," Shadow purred, running a finger along Zafron's jawline, "if you're offering yourself as part of the deal..."

Whisper pressed against his other side. "We might be persuaded to... share."

Zafron swallowed hard, his mind racing. This was not how he'd expected the conversation to go, and he was rapidly losing control of the situation.

'Okay,' he thought, 'time for Plan B. As soon as I figure out what Plan B is.'

He opened his mouth, not entirely sure what was going to come out, when a soft groan from Matilda caught everyone's attention.

The twins stepped back, their postures instantly alert and wary.

"Well, well," Shadow said, her voice low and dangerous. "Looks like Sleeping Beauty is waking up. This should be interesting."

Zafron looked down at Matilda, then back at the twins. The situation, already precarious, had just become exponentially more complicated.

'Out of the frying pan,' he thought grimly, 'and into the extremely toxic, possibly cannibalistic fire.'

As Matilda stirred in his arms, Zafron knew he had mere moments to make a decision that could determine all their fates. The twins watched him expectantly, their glowing masks reflecting the eerie light of the platform.

In that instant, with the acrid air burning his lungs and danger pressing in from all sides, Zafron did the only thing he could think of.

He smiled.

Consciousness returned to Matilda like a slow-moving fog, gradually lifting to reveal a world of confusion and discomfort. The first thing she became aware of was the warmth of strong arms around her, a surprisingly comforting sensation given her last memories of fleeing for her life.

As her eyes fluttered open, she found herself gazing up at Zafron's face, his features etched with concern and... was that a hint of panic?

'Well,' she thought, a blush creeping across her cheeks, 'this is certainly an interesting way to wake up.' She let herself indulge in her own wild fantasy.

But any romantic notions were swiftly dispelled as her gaze drifted past Zafron to the sky above. A sky that was decidedly not the one she remembered.

"What in the world?" she muttered, her voice hoarse.

Zafron's eyes widened, and he quickly set her on her feet, though he kept a steadying hand on her arm. "Matilda," he said, his voice low and urgent, "I'm glad you're awake, but we need to—"

"Where are we?" she interrupted, her noble upbringing asserting itself as she took in their bizarre surroundings. "And who are they?"

She gestured towards the two masked women watching them with evident curiosity.

"Ah," one of the women said, her voice laced with amusement. "The princess awakens. How delightful."

Matilda bristled at the condescending tone, but before she could retort, Zafron stepped in.

"Ladies," he said smoothly, "perhaps we could continue our... negotiation?"

'I could really use that charm stats to come into full play now but it seems all they want to do is eat me!' Zafron thought, seeing how their eyes reflected their true intent.

Matilda's eyebrows shot up. 'Negotiation? What on earth has been happening while I was unconscious?'

The other masked woman chuckled. "Oh yes, let's. Though I must say, your bargaining position seems to have weakened now that your... companion is awake."

As the twins continued to banter with Zafron, Matilda's mind raced. She caught snippets of their conversation – something about masks, a cart, and... the Wasteland?

The name sent a chill down her spine. She knew that name, had heard it whispered in the darkest corners of her husband's court. A place of no return, where the Empire sent its worst criminals to die a slow, agonizing death.

'But that's impossible,' she thought. 'We were running from the Enforcers, yes, but surely we didn't... we couldn't have...'

Her thoughts were interrupted by a burning sensation in her chest. At first, she thought it was just anxiety, but as it intensified, a horrible realization dawned.

The air. There was something wrong with the air.

She glanced at Zafron, noting the tension in his jaw, the slight wheeze in his breathing. Then at the twins, with their glowing masks.

'Ah,' she thought. 'So that's what this is about.'

Matilda had always prided herself on her quick wit and ability to read a room. It was a skill that had served her well in the cutthroat world of imperial politics. Now, it might just save their lives.

She observed Zafron carefully, noting how different he seemed from his usual self. The easy-going charm was there, yes, but underneath it was a desperation she'd never seen before.

'He's playing a role,' she realized. 'And if he is, then so must I.'

Taking a deep breath – and immediately regretting it as the toxic air burned her lungs – Matilda stepped forward.

"Ladies," she said, her voice ringing with the authority of a noblewoman addressing her inferiors, "I believe there's been a misunderstanding."

The twins turned to her, their body language radiating surprise and curiosity.

Matilda continued, gesturing dismissively at Zafron. "This man is not my companion. He is my slave."

She could practically feel Zafron's shock radiating off him, but to his credit, he didn't contradict her.

"And as his owner," Matilda went on, her voice cool and collected despite the growing discomfort in her chest, "I'm prepared to offer him to you. Both of you. In exchange for your masks."

The silence that followed was deafening. Zafron stared at her, his expression a mix of disbelief and... was that admiration? The twins looked at each other, then back at Matilda, their body language unreadable behind their masks.

[Well,] Aurelia's voice chimed in Zafron's head, [it appears your companion has a rather... cold disposition, my lord. Perhaps we should have packed warmer clothes for this excursion?]

Zafron barely managed to suppress a snort of laughter. Trust one of his assistants to find humor in a life-or-death situation. Sёarch* The ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Matilda, unaware of the Aurelia's commentary, kept her gaze fixed on the twins. Her heart was pounding, but years of courtly training allowed her to maintain a facade of cool indifference.

'Come on,' she thought. 'Take the bait. Two masks for one man – it's a bargain, really.'

As the silence stretched on, Matilda fought the urge to cough, to show any sign of weakness. She was acutely aware that their lives hung in the balance, dependent on the whims of two criminals in a place where life held little value.

But she was Matilda Blackthorn, and she had faced down courtiers and bounty hunters sent by her husband with equal poise. She would not falter now.

Finally, one of the twins – Shadow, though Matilda didn't know her name – spoke.

"Well," she said, her voice a mixture of amusement and grudging respect, "this just got a whole lot more interesting."