Maris crossed her arms and smirked behind the prince, delighting in the public interrogation.
“I came to see the roses,” I murmured and looked between the men. “Thought they’d help clear my mind since I was upset about my missing necklace.”
“I assumed you and Maris would have been able to share abathing room, considering you are from the same neighborhood,” Leanna scoffed. “Obviously I was wrong.”
I hadn’t realized Maris was on the other side of the door of my room. Had I known, I would’ve requested to be moved. Even the stable would have been a better option.
“You know what they say about assumptions,” King Grave chimed in, though his remark hung unanswered.
“If she hadn’t stolen my mother’s jewelry, there wouldn’t have been an issue.” I started toward Maris again, but Ryder stopped me with a hand around my wrist. King Grave stepped up to intervene.
"A simple disagreement among my guests is none of your concern, Grave." Ryder glared at the king, who scoffed and prepared to disagree.
Maris interrupted the two and threw her hands in the air. “I already told you, Prince Sutton left it in my room as a gift,” she whined.
Ryder turned to her and shook his head. “I didn’t give you that necklace.”
“You didn’t?” Maris feigned confusion.
“No—" Ryder stepped closer to her. "The staff must have cleaned and placed it in your room by mistake.” He pressed his mouth into a thin line and pulled Maris to his side.
I rolled my eyes. Was he so naive to buy into her act? How could he not see through her little performance?
Leanna walked to Maris’s back and gently unclasped the chain from her neck, dropping it into my awaiting palm. She glanced at me as if she were disappointed in my behavior; as ifIwere the one who stole the item. One more tally against me.
“Thank you.” My voice came out in a whisper.
My fingers fumbled to clasp the chain, but after several unsuccessful attempts, I surrendered to the adrenaline and just held it in my trembling hands.
My eyes widened as Grave stepped forward and plucked thejewelry from my hand. He moved to step behind me, but Ryder beat him to it.
“Iwill assist Audryn.” Ryder growled as he snatched the necklace from Grave’s grip. I cringed, thinking my mother’s chain might snap. For a moment, I swore Grave’s eyes flashed to black, but with the shadows playing tricks in the dim light, I couldn’t be sure.
Ryder hastily placed the chain around me, then grabbed my elbow and led me away, without another word. The walk back to the castle was quiet aside from Maris's soggy dress dragging and Leanna’s footsteps crunching through the gravel behind us.
Several minutes passed before Ryder broke the silence. “It’s inappropriate for you to be found in the garden in the dark.”
I glanced back at the others. They were far enough behind us that they couldn’t hear the conversation.
“And with another man no less.” Ryder’s grip tightened on my elbow, and it took everything in me not to pull away. “Do you know what others would say if they saw you tonight?” he hissed. “What your actions would imply about me? You're lucky it was only Leanna!”
“I didn’t go there with any intention other than to get a moment of fresh air,” I muttered, my stomach tilting.
“Your intention means nothing, it's the perceptions of others that matter most.” Ryder thrummed his fingers against my skin before continuing. “If you wish to be part of the royal life, you must consider the consequences of your actions first. Otherwise, you not only embarrass yourself, but the Sutton name—which is unacceptable.”
I swallowed back the response I wanted to throw at him. Nobody said I wanted to be part of the royal life; I was there strictly out of necessity. Did he know I had no other option? With my garden destroyed and his goons at my side, I couldn’t work. There was also the matter of finding the book of execution records.
“There are several pressing matters I need to deal with, and being forced to mediate a skirmish between two women is not at the top of my agenda.” Ryder walked me through the castle doors and released his grip, flinging my arm away. “I don’t suppose I need to worry about being pulled away again to intervene between you and Maris again, do I?”
I shook my head and lowered my eyes. “No.” Unexpected shame crawled up my spine. Despite my hidden agendas, I was still hurt by his disappointment.
Ryder lifted my chin, drawing my eyes up to his. “I want you to stay, but I must be able to work.” He bent his face down and placed a kiss on the top of my head, inhaling deeply. “I will send up some floral soap for you to use in your hair.” He paused and considered. “Not only to rid the stench from your scalp, but for your enjoyment as well.”
16
GRAVE
Sutton Castle might’ve provided some of the best accommodations in all seven kingdoms, but the company I was required to keep while there never made the stay worth it. I walked into the royal common room and took a seat at the far end of the long table, which sat at least twelve. The opposite end was set with glass cups, clearly arranged so the prince could take his father’s position. Seeing the way he’d interacted with his guests the evening prior, I had no intention of sitting closer than required.
