A quick survey of the room showed a stone fireplace along the wall and armchairs situated in front of it. To the left sat a small round table with two chairs, a pristine desk, and a set of doors leading to a balcony. The guards had led me up several flights of stairs, and considering the view beyond the windows, I’d say we were on the third floor of the castle. High enough to break your neck if you fell.
Or if you were pushed.
“Pebble.” Cedric drank from his goblet, keeping his eyes on me over the top.
“Your Highness.” I lowered my gaze. Did I feel like being respectful in that moment? No. I wanted to leap up from the floor and karate chop him in the throat. But I also valued my head.
The buckles on his boots clinked as he approached. “I must say. I truly am impressed.”
“By what, Your Highness?”
“How you aren’t groveling at my feet and begging for mercy.” He stopped in front of me. “I expected tears at least.”
“Sorry to disappoint.” I kept my gaze on the floor. The tips of his boots were in view. “Begging would indicate guilt, and despite the claims against me, I’m innocent.”
“Innocent, you say.” Cedric squatted down to my eye level. One look at his face told me all I needed to know: he was getting off on this. Like a cat playing with a mouse before going in for the kill. “Yet, we found a dagger and vial of poison on you. How do you explain that?”
“The dagger was for self-defense.”
“And the poison?”
“Not mine. Someone slipped it in my pocket to pin this on me.” A waste of breath and energy trying to defend myself. He’d already made his decision in regard to my guilt. But I wouldn’t roll over and give up so easily.
Because I had a life worth fighting for. Men I needed to return home to.
“Ah.” He cocked his head and slowly rose from his squatted position. The firelight made his features more sinister, the shadows accentuating the coldness in his eyes. “You believe you were framed?”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Chills tingled down my spine. Cedric felt like a gust of frigid winter air that sucked all the heat from your bones. “I had no part in poisoning King Eidolon. I assure you.”
“You assure me, do you?” Finally, the cat struck. He grabbed a handful of my hair and yanked my head back, glaring down at me. “I would need to see you as a threat in order to be reassured, and you’re nothing but an annoyance in my way.”
He released my hair with a hard shove, and I wobbled in place before righting my balance again. My kneecaps hurt from kneeling on the hard floor, but I didn’t dare risk standing up without permission. He’d probably just knock me back down or order his personal knight to do it.
My gaze landed on Sir Keegan.
He stood against the wall, gaze forward and body rigid. The contrast between him and Sir Noah was like night and day. Even when stoic and in guard mode, Sir Noah exuded a deep fondness and respect for Prince Sawyer.
Sir Keegan just looked scared.
Cedric focused on him too. “You’re dismissed for now.”
The knight hesitated. “Forgive me, Your Highness, but it’s unwise to leave you alone with him.”
Did I detect a double meaning in his words? Was he suggesting that I’d be a threat to Cedric… or him to me?
“I gave you an order, knight. Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Sir Keegan glanced down at me, wavered in place, and then quickly bowed his head and exited the room, shutting the door on his way out.
Great. Alone time with Cedric. I think, if given the choice, I’d rather spend such quality time with Herbert and Holly instead. At least they could be bribed with muffin crumbs.
“A shame he’s so honorable,” Cedric muttered, staring at the closed door. “Honor gets you nothing but an early grave.”
After draining the contents of his goblet, he slammed it down on the table and retrieved a glass pitcher of dark red liquid. He refilled his cup and downed a generous gulp before facing the balcony doors, turning his back to me.
Why was he drinking so much?
Maybe he’s upset. He’d nearly lost his father that night, regardless of who was actually behind the assassination attempt.
