The queen looked at me closely. “But?”
I bit back a sigh. “But she wants to go home, and I’m not sure she believes me when I say she can return with a princely payment once her task is complete.”
“So during a dangerous heist of our people’s most treasured heirloom, you’ll be depending on someone you can’t trust.”
From the first time I’d presented her with my plan, the queen hadn’t liked the idea of relying on an outsider. But the moment I’d seen Emmeline shapeshift from Lady Celestine’s form, I’d known she was the ace we needed.
“I still have time to convince her to trust me,” I said. “She’s stubborn, but I’m good at getting people to do what I want.”
Hands folded in her lap, the queen gazed thoughtfully into the distance for what felt like hours. I steadfastly kept any signs of worry from showing. Worst-case scenario: she ordered me to scrap the entire plan. I couldn’t disobey my queen, but surely she could see that this was our best chance. After all my years as her spy, it stung that she doubted me, but also…
If she called off the heist, I would have to send Emmeline home.
That shouldn’t bother me as much as it did. My relationship with Emmeline was an act, so what did it matter if she left? I suppose I would miss the challenge of verbally sparring with her, the quiet meals we shared, her ridiculously delighted expression when she tried a new cheese. The chateau felt… less empty with her in it. The building was far too big for one person. Too big for two people, yet Emmeline’s presence somehow filled it.
No. If I enjoyed being with her, it was because I hadn’t had female company in so long. Nothing more. I respected Emmeline, and yes, if I was being honest, I felt incredibly attracted to her. But I had no business feeling anything deeper. She was my partner for the heist, and that was all she ever could be.
Under different circumstances… Well, it was no use dreaming of that.
“I leave it in your hands,” Queen Verena said finally. “You’re the one risking the most, so the strategy should be your decision.”
I nodded gratefully. She’d told me plainly that if I got caught, she had to deny any involvement. That’s why she hadn’t ordered me to steal the Selenian Jewel; she’d asked. And she’d said she wouldn’t think any less of me if I refused.
I hadn’t considered refusing for an instant.
“Then with your permission, I’ll take my leave,” I said, standing.
“Yes, get some sleep, Sir Valen. And thank you.”
I bowed one last time. “It’s my honor to serve you, Your Majesty.”
Chapter 16
Emmeline
Valen unrolled a scroll on the enormous table in the formal dining room. The edges of the paper curled, so he pinned them down with a flower vase and a few candle holders. I couldn’t read the loopy words written on it, but I recognized the drawings as a building’s floor plan.
“Is this for the palace?” I asked, leaning closer.
“Yes.” He pointed. “The main ballroom is here.”
I barely stopped myself from squealing in delight. I scanned the scroll quickly, as if any second now, it would burst into flames. Then I slowed, letting my eyes drink in the details.
“So many entrances and exits…” I murmured.
“We’ll be coming through the main doors here.”
He stepped closer to point out the spot on the scroll, and my breath caught. I should be used to his closeness by now, but itstill made my stomach flip—yet not out of fear. He had a subtle, crisp scent that carried hints of leather. Lightheaded, I forced my focus back onto the scroll.
“And the jewel could be anywhere,” I said. “It depends on where the princess goes.”
“This is the ideal spot for stealing it.” He indicated a narrow balcony a short distance from the ballroom. “It’s isolated. Most guests prefer the west balcony because it overlooks the Moonmirror Pools, but it wouldn’t seem suspicious to lure her there.”
“And how do we do that?”
Valen cleared his throat. “Princess Regula is married, but she goes through lovers faster than a pegasus through horseshoes. You’ll shapeshift once we’re inside, flirt with her, and lead her to the balcony.”
It wouldn’t be the first time I’d seduced someone to steal from them, but still…
