“Everyone can be trusted until they can’t be. How do you know there isn’t a rat amongst them?”
“My men are my family. And the same small council has ruled with Derek since his reign began. It wasn’t one of them.”
I sigh, moving to the vanity to lean beside Zadyn. “So we keep our eyes peeled. Next time we go out, we stick together.”
“There won’t be a next time. Not for a good while,” Jace points out. My face falls.
“What! That’s not fair.”
“It’s for your own safety. The castle is safe; the city is not. You are valuable goods, and it’s my head on the line if something happens to you on my watch.”
“Whatever,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.
Jace gives me a long look before turning on his heel and heading toward the door.
“You know,” I call after him, “you should be proud of me. I think I handled myself pretty well tonight.”
He pauses halfway to the door, inclining his head toward me without turning back.
“That so?”
I nod proudly. “I bit my attacker. And I broke a chair over a pirate’s back.”
His shoulders bounce as he laughs once.
“Get some rest, witch. It will be dawn before you know it.”
I heave a groan and redirect my eyes to Zadyn.
“The chair was pretty badass.” A dimpled smile slowly spreads across his face.
I answer it with a wide grin of my own. Leaning my head on his shoulder, I sigh.
“I know.”
* Cue:Grow Up Tomorrowby The Beaches
21
“One second!”
I stuff my head through the hole of a loose-fitting peasant blouse and pull my wet hair free as another round of knocks rattles my door.
“Coming!”
I crack it open and am surprised to find Sir Max standing there, his closed fist suspended mid-air as he breaks into a lopsided smile.
“Sir Max,” I regard breathlessly. He steps back to bow.
“My lady.” His tone laden with sarcasm. I roll my eyes, leaning against the door jamb.
“What can I do for you?”
“King wants to see you in his study.”
I straighten, my heart suddenly racing.
“Now?”
