Her smile joined in with mine, and she waved to the gown. “Turn and I’ll untie you. Hang it up in the other room and when you’re dressed,come back here.” After releasing the ties, she crossed to my bed and sat. “We’re going to have a nice little chat.”
It didn’t take long to remove the gown and return to the room dressed in a loose tunic and a pair of lounge pants. I sank beside her on the bed, both of us stretching our legs out, our backs against the headboard.
“You just had the king looking at you like he’d like to eat you alive,” she said. “And you’re acting like nothing happened.”
I covered my face with my hands, half groaning, half laughing. “I can’t believe he?—”
“Oh, I can. What I can’t believe is that you didn’t melt into a puddle on the rug. He got down on his knees.” She frowned. “I don’t think Derren’s done that yet, though he should. I’ll tell him.”
“I don’t melt.” I dropped my hands into my lap.
“You might tomorrow night. What is going on between you two?”
“I don’t even know myself. I thought I hated him.”
“And now you don’t?”
I shrugged. “I came here for one reason.”
She slowly nodded. “I understand. We all did. We weren’t sure we’d make it through the Rite, but we have, which means we can sit back and enjoy our bonds…” She blinked. “I’m sure your minxpip will be back soon and things will go smoothly for you two after that.”
I didn’t share her confidence, but I also didn’t point that out. “I came here for more than just the Rite.”
She glanced my way. “Oh?”
The truth that had been pressing down on my shoulders for days. Someone killed my sister, but it couldn’t have been one of my friends.
Well, maybe Maddox, though I doubted he’d done it.
It felt unfair not to share with people who trusted me.
“Lexie, there’s something I haven’t told you,” I finally said. “Not any of you.”
Her expression shifted, still relaxed, but her gaze sharpened the way it did before a fight. “And now you want to tell me.”
“My name isn’t Isi Barlowe.”
Her brows rose, but she didn’t speak.
“It’s Amarissa Marlane Caldrith, Crown Princess of Caldrith Court.” The words felt heavy, like I was stepping off a ledge without knowing if there would be ground beneath me when I landed. “I came here because…” My throat tightened. “Because someone here murdered my sister.”
The flicker of shock on her face was quickly replaced by something fiercer. “Your sister?—”
“Adelaine.Addie. She was three years younger than me. Smart. Braver than she should ever have to be.” I blinked back tears, but I couldn’t blink back the memory of her bright laugh, the feel of her hand squeezing mine when we slipped out of formal dinners to sneak to the kitchens for something simpler instead. “Our father sent her to marry the king of Velmire Court. Five weeks later, she was deposited on my father’s ballroom floor. Murdered, with all the evidence pointing to Syllavar Court.”
“How?”
“A magical bird delivered her body in a sack and dropped it onto the ballroom floor. Blood.” My voice croaked. “So much blood.”
Lexie swore softly under her breath and slid her arm around my shoulders.
“That’s not the only reason I came here.” I dragged in a breath. “I think this court also has children from Caldrith. Stolen. I need to find them and make sure they’re alright.” I met her gaze, grateful to find only understanding there. “But not before I find out what my sister was doing here and who killed her.”
Silence settled between us, the kind that weighed more than noise ever could.
“Does the king know who you are?” she asked.
“He does. I…” My laugh contained no humor. “I broke into his office?—”
