“The funeral shroud for Laertes. Penelope has no intention of finishing it. She unpicks it each night. She forces us to help her.” I could feel my treachery scalding me from the inside, but stronger still was my determination, forcing me onward. “She has been tricking you. All of you.”
Eurymachus let go of my hair, and I scrambled off him, retreating to the edge of the bed.
“That fucking bitch,” he snarled, sitting upright. The movement was a little woozy, and I felt a flicker of fragile hope in my chest.
“Do you see? I can help you,” I pressed. “We can work together.”
“I’ll kill her,” Eurymachus seethed. “I’ll kill her for thinking she canoutsmartme—”
“Why kill her when you could own her?” I countered. “When you are king, she will be your subservient wife. Is that not more satisfying? To have that cunning mind bend to your will.”
He considered my words, head lolling slightly. He blinked, pressing a flat palm against the bed to steady himself.
“Ithaca deserves a great king. A valiant, cunning,powerfulking.” My words were cracked and desperate, but I could see them slipping behind Eurymachus’s bloodlust, igniting his ego. “That is the king I wish to serve, and I will do anything to make it so.”
His gaze lifted to mine, eyes a little unfocused. “Tell me why I should trust you.”
“I have just betrayed my queen by telling you the truth of the shroud. Is that not proof enough?”
He said nothing for an excruciatingly long moment. I glanced down at the blade still clasped in his hand. One mistake and he could slit my throat in seconds…
But I would not retreat now, not when I was so close to the truth.
“I can help you,” I assured him, my voice steadying. “But only if youletme. I am no use to you if I am kept in the dark.”
Slowly, Eurymachus leaned forward, angling his dagger toward my neck.
“I know what you really are, slave,” he whispered, the words thick and sluggish on his tongue. “You are a rat.”
He dragged the tip of the blade over my collarbone, watching my chest rise and fall with each panicked breath.
“But I cannot tell if you aremyrat orhers,” he continued with an indolent smile.
“I am yours,” I insisted.
He pulled away, leaning back heavily against the bed frame.
“Shall I tell you my secrets then, little rat?” He laughed drunkenly, though I knew it was not the wine that had loosened his mood so. “Would you like that?”
“I would like to assist you,” I replied carefully.
“Hmm. Well, there is something you can do for me.” Eurymachus reached for his wine as he spoke, then, finding it empty, he launched the cup across the room. I tried not to flinch.
“I would be honored.”
Instead of continuing, he pushed off the bed with an incoherent grumble and staggered over to the table. I watched silently as he retrieved another cup and proceeded to fill it, spilling a lot of wine in the process. He knocked back the cup, then a second, streaks of crimson dribbling down his chin.
“Tell me what I can do for you, my lord,” I prompted cautiously.
Eurymachus wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “In three days’ time, I need you to ensure Penelope does not leave her quarters. That is all. Very simple, yes?”
“Telemachus is due to return then,” I breathed, suddenly feeling as unsteady as Eurymachus looked. “That’s it. That’s when you’re going to kill him.”
“Me? I would not dream of doing such a thing.” Eurymachuswaved his blade between us, words tumbling together. “But the seas can be a treacherous place, darling. Did you know there has been a recent increase in pirate attacks around these isles? Nasty business. Ithaca would be an ideal spot for anambush…or so I’m told.”
Blood roared in my ears. “How can you be so certain they will attack?”
Eurymachus snorted. “Because I paid the men enough to ensure they do a thorough job. They’ll be spending the next few nights at the harbor, eagerly awaiting our prince’s return.”
