Nero forced his eyes to stay open as he sat against the wall keeping guard, Riley curled in his lap. He must have sat there for hours before she stirred, but despite where they were and the fact that they were anything but safe, he didn't mind the length of time he sat there doing nothing. His muscles had gotten sore after sitting in that position for so long, but he enjoyed the feel of Riley near him, and he had mostly watched her beautiful face in her sleep as he gently stroked her hair, careful not to wake her. Now, he looked down at her as she stirred and he smiled when he heard her voice, which although was slightly rough from all they'd been through and drowsy from sleeping, still made his heart skip a beat with joy. "Hey." he murmured to her in response, as he watched her, with renewed strength, stand up and prepare to break free of her bonds. He nodded to show her that he would keep an eye out for guards, and watched her out of the corner of his eye, as he was focused on the hallway, as she grabbed handfuls of chain and pulled several times before he heard the snap of the chain and looked over to see her join him, free from bolts holding her chain to the stone wall at least. He glanced down to see the note from her father with a key next to it waiting for them at the gate, which he thought was odd, but didn't ask questions. When freedom is basically given to you, you don't ask questions. He saw her smile as she read the note and then he felt her hand in his as she opened the door and without hesitation Nero left that goddamned awful cell and began to run with her through the dank dark hallway, his hand still holding on firmly to hers with no intention of letting her go as his protectiveness kicked in once again. Next mission: find where their dragons had been taken and were being held, then escape from this hellhole....