“All right,” he said at last. “If you won’t talk to me, then at least promise me you’ll be careful. Don’t go anywhere alone. Not until we know more.”
She nodded. “I promise.”
He wished he believed that.
Outside the window, bells from the courtyard rang faintly, cheerful and bright.
Inside the room, Jakob felt a growing sense of dread.
The Ruecrags were hunting her.
Mallory was hiding something.
And whatever it was, he had the sinking feeling it was far worse than she was willing to admit.
CHAPTER 22
Mallory
Mallory kept her smile in place the best she could. Enough to be believable but not enough to look fake, even though that was exactly what she felt like.
Normally, mornings were her favorite, especially when they involved Jakob. Today, not so much.
The kitchens were already warm with sugar and spice when she and Jakob slipped inside like a couple of thieves. Their laughter bounced between them at her dare of a king in the kitchen. Jakob’s humor was easy and bright while hers was a bit more forced. Sunlight shone bright through the high windows and reflected off the copper bowls and polished counters.
The royal baker, a short, round man with flour permanently dusted across his face jumped nearly a foot when Jakob clapped his hands together.
“Good morning, Master Eldin,” Jakob said cheerfully. “We’re here to help.”
Eldin stared. “Your Majesty, forgive my boldness but you most certainly are not.”
Jakob grinned and rolled up his sleeves anyway. “Too late. The fair Mallory insists we’re making cookies.”
Mallory laughed on cue and stepped forward to steal a pinch of dough from the counter. “It was a dare,” she corrected. “Very unofficial.”
Eldin sputtered. “This is highly unusual for a king to do.”
“And yet here we are,” Jakob responded easily.
The baker surrendered with theatrical frustration before he retreated to hover anxiously at the edge of the room while Jakob commandeered a mixing bowl. He bumped Mallory with his hip as he worked and dusted her nose with flour when she leaned too close.
“Sabotage,” she accused and swiped at him with a puff of powdered sugar.
“Strategic advantage,” Jakob said, eyes warm and entirely too perceptive. “You’re smiling less today.”
Normally, she would have revelled in his easy confidence, the ridiculousness of a future king cracking eggs too hard and swearing under his breath, and the way he met her eye as if no one else in the room mattered. She would have leaned into him and let the moment anchor her.
Today, though, every laugh felt like a sham. Stolen time she had no right to enjoy.
Her phone was a weight in her pocket against her thigh, both invisible and unbearable. As Jakob stirred, she caught herself counting the turns of the spoon or the seconds that ticked away on the kitchen clock. Guilt pricked at her chest with every look he gave her that was open and trusting. He was happy while she was planning to ruin it.
She didn’t deserve this morning or him.
When Jakob offered her the spoon to taste and she hesitated before she accepted it and forced a hum of approval. “Perfect,” she said even though she was too nervous to taste anything. She hated the lie that spilled from her mouth so easily.
Jakob kissed her temple. It was quick and affectionate, but it almost brought her to tears. “See? You make everything better.”
The words landed like a quiet blow and added to her inner turmoil. She turned her face just enough to hide the way her eyes burned.
