“Fine,” Axel says. “Reuben?” The Flame Thrower steps forward.
“No way,” Skylar says. “Simone can guard me, if that’s where you’re going with this.”
Simone, back in her human form, quirks an eyebrow but says nothing. Maybe Axel has remembered Zryan’s instruction tobe nice, because he nods. “Fine. Go and get cleaned up. I’ll find you later.”
“Can’t wait,” Skylar mutters—but he’s already retreating, along with the rest of the menagerie.
Simone sidles up next to her. She studies Axel’s retreating back. “He’s got being a dick down to an art form, doesn’t he?”
Skylar slides her gaze over to the Shifter. “Aren’t you supposed to be all reverent and shit? Given he’s your boss and all.”
Simone snorts. “He’s not my boss. And I’m not the reverent type.” It’s said with just enough bitterness to make Skylar curious.
“You work for the king and queen,” she points out. “I’d say a touch of reverence is part of the job description.”
Simone’s eyes, still holding a yellow glow in her human form, spark with something like anger. “You’re assuming we all want to be here,Your Highness.” The last words drip with sarcasm.
Skylar considers her, then glances around, checking they are alone. “You were conscripted,” she states.
Simone hesitates, then nods curtly. Skylar reaches out, grips Simone’s forearm. “Where were you taken?”
Simone raises her eyebrows. “Here.” Said like Skylar is thick as shit.
“Before that,” Skylar says impatiently, not letting go of Simone’s arm even as the Shifter tries to extract it. “Where do they all get taken? The conscripts?”
“Can’t help you there,” Simone says with an attempt at breezy. “All I know is they get sent to the camps—only a very few, like me, are lucky enough to come here.” She tilts her head—a very feline gesture. “You’re looking for someone.”
It’s not a question, so she doesn’t bother answering. Besides, Simone was there when she tried—and failed—to get Axel to help her.
“I’m so sick of this castle,” she says instead. Which is true. She feels like she’s suffocating, and she swears she hasn’t slept properly since she’s been here. She glances at Simone. “Any chance you fancy a night on the town?”
Simone’s lip quirks. “Fun as that does sound… I’m not stupid enough to play hooky with the Vatran heir, sorry.”
And Skylar can’t get out of the gates without help.
“Fine,” she says, massaging her temples, where a pounding headache is threatening to settle in. She starts walking back to the castle, and Simone falls into step beside her. It’s only when they come under the shadow of the stone turrets that Simone reaches out to stop Skylar.
“I should make something clear,” Simone says slowly. “Just because I didn’t choose this life, there are plenty here who did.”
Skylar glances at the turrets watching over them. And nods. It’s not said out loud, but Simone’s meaning is clear.
Be careful who you trust.
Axel delivers on his promise to find her later as she’s making her way to the dining hall. He jerks his head at Simone, who has stayed by Skylar’s side since earlier, and Simone slinks off in that feline way of hers.
“I heard you want to get out the castle,” he states without preamble.
Skylar keeps her expression neutral. “News travels fast around here.” She tries not to show how disturbed she is by that fact.
He produces a cloak, a mask. He tosses the latter to her.
She catches it. “Because you’re that fed up with looking at my face?”
“Your face is fine.”
“What a compliment.”
“I just don’t want it recognized. There are plenty out there who would love a chance to have a crack at you.” Maybe, she concedes. But she knows there are some who might be more likely to ask her to sign something for them. She’s heard the rumors, the odd muttering between guards. She knows that she’s been the subject of plenty of gossip outside the castle walls—and that there are those who are furious that she has usurped Zryan as well as those who are rooting for her, the long-lost princess.
