Their eyes go wide as saucers when they look up and realize who I am. Quickly, before I chicken out, I touch each of their shoulders. It’s a light tap, and I feel ridiculous doing it. One woman starts to gasp, and I place a finger to my lips, in a silent gesture for them to stay quiet.
She clamps a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound, while the other woman remains frozen with her jaw hanging open. Tears flood their eyes.
Uncomfortable doesn’t begin to describe how I am feeling, but I give them both a serene smile. “Could you please help me reach the library? I seem to have lost my way, and I have a surprise planned for Leon.”
A few minutes later, the women are walking me to the library, telling me all about their hopes and dreams.A few other women join us along the way, and I make sure to touch each of their shoulders as a ‘blessing.’
Not a single guard stops us.
They aren’t looking for a group of women. I’m hiding in plain sight.
Once we reach the library, I thank them and note that I’ll need to be on my own now, since I’m on official wedding business. They leave, beaming, and I try to ignore the guilt that stabs at me.
I can only hope Need won’t punish them for helping me. She killed Kenzie to send a message, and it’s one I understood loud and clear. I have no allies here. She wants me isolated. But I don’t think she’ll start killing off dozens of noblewomen from her own realm.
Their voices fade, and I wait a moment longer before doubling back the way we came. I’m not here for the library, but I don’t want anyone to know my actual destination. Although I’ve only been down here once before, I think I remember the way.
If I want to look for Irena, then I need to do it at night. Seeing as my door is locked by magic, I can only assume it will take magic to unlock it.
The first time I visited this castle, I was separated from Leon and I passed a room full of colored bottles. I’m hanging this entire super-spy mission on the hope that they are magical potions, and one will be able to open locks.
I’m going to go ahead and call my plan brilliant, since it’s the best one I have.
As expected, the corridors are empty. Most of the guards I’ve seen are centered around the public areas of the castle. Still, I try to look casual as I take quick butmeasured steps. Cassandra’s memories aren’t exactly on board with my plan, but I don’t have time to go sneaking around and peering in doorways.
At the faint sound of bubbling up ahead, my heart rate starts to climb. The room must be right around the corner.
I’m going to make it.
I do not, in fact, make it. Just as I round the corner, I smash into a person on the other side.
Stumbling back, I’m steadied by whoever I ran into. I’m about to thank them when I’m shoved against the wall.
A bit dazed, I look up and realize a critical fact. Lady Luck has abandoned me.
No, scratch that, Lady Luck was holding out, so she could fuck me over in the worst way.
Rydon stands before me, grinning like he’s just unwrapped an early birthday gift, and I’m his present. His long dark hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, and his beady black eyes positively gleam. None of his features are telling enough for me to figure out what realm he’s from, but I already know what kind of creature he is.
He’s a monster.
A wicked grin splits his face, and after a slight pulse of air, the sound of bubbling disappears. It looks like Rydon can make sound shields, too.
I glare back at him, even as I mentally argue with myself. My knife is hidden in the folds of my skirts, and I really want to stab him. But considering he used magic, I’m guessing he can also magically heal. So, if I stab him, I probably won’t make it to the potion room.
Decisions, decisions.
He crowds me against the wall, oblivious to my murderous intent.
“Well, well, well. Look what we have here. A little wayward bird, flitting about where she has no business being.”
I raise an unimpressed brow, staying silent, as I come to a decision. Stabby time will have to wait. I need to free Irena.
Rydon looks around the hall, as if making sure that I’m truly alone. “And where exactly do you think you’re going, without an escort?” He asks, taking a step closer. His breath fans over me, and my stomach curdles.
Scratch that, I might need to stab him after all.
When I don’t answer, he runs his tongue over his top teeth. “Not in the mood to share? That’s fine. In fact, I won’t even tell the others I found you here. But my silence is very expensive.”
