To Terena’s surprise, the woman sheathed her curved dagger and covered her heart with her hand.
“You have no equal.”
Chapter 5
SPARTA
Moonlight streamed through Sonah’s bedchamber windows. Despite the sharp bite of the winter winds, she liked them open. It was the only light she would allow, so anyone who passed her rooms would believe she was asleep.
When Jenos had left her at her door earlier, she had bid him good night, claiming a lethargy she was very good at faking. The old warrior had nodded and left her reluctantly. He remained outside her door as always.
Sonah paced through her bedchamber and out into the sitting room. The dying embers in the hearth glowed softly as she passed. Turning, she made her way back into her bedchamber as the doors of her armoire creaked open. Jumping at the sudden movement, Sonah pressed her hand to her chest and held her breath.
Lerek’s smiling face looked up at her as he hopped down from the wardrobe.
“Gods, Prince Lerek, you gave me a fright,” she whispered as she exhaled.
Dusting off his grey breeches, she noticed how casually he was dressed. She’d never seen Prince Lerek looking anything less than royal. He could be a stable hand the way he was outfitted.
“Were you expecting someone else?”
“What? No!”
Lerek grinned at her. They stood in silence for a moment before Lerek launched forward and hugged Sonah tight to his chest. Sonah’s squeak was smothered in the prince’s chest and for a few seconds she stood stiff in his arms. Then she relaxed, inhaling deeply. He smelled of sandalwood and spices. Like home.
She sighed. Not home, she supposed. Rather, her former prison.
They spoke at the same time.
“Sonah—”
“Lerek—”
Lerek pulled away and grinned at her. “You go first.”
Taking a few steps away, Sonah glanced out toward the sitting room before turning back to Lerek.
“We need to leave. I had dinner with the king tonight. Duke and Duchess Ovenno are here. King Altos is making me go back to Ovenno with them and?—”
“Your father’s here? Perfect! Let me go?—”
“No!”
Lerek stilled as she grabbed hold of his forearm. She cursed herself for being too loud and stood a moment in silence, listening for Jenos.
When she was satisfied, she turned back to the prince.
“If Duke Ovenno’s here, he can help us, Sonah,” Lerek hissed.
“You don’t—” She shook her head and tried again. “There is much I need to tell you, Prince Lerek.”
“It’s just ‘Lerek’ to you, Sonah. And I have much to tell you as well.”
“You go first.”
He frowned at her, and after a moment’s pause, gave her a curt nod. Striding toward the armchair next to her bed, he dropped onto it with a heavy sigh.
“I had a plan,” he said, his eyes rising to the ceiling. He laughed. Sonah moved to the bed and sat as she regarded him.
