That relaxed me some. I trusted Pierce more than Harkin. Though they both worked for the king, which meant we couldn’t truly trust either of them at all.
“I’m not convinced she’ll stay away, she was quite adamant about checking on you,” Wista said, and I sighed.
My caring and strong-willed sister wouldn’t leave me alone for long, not if she thought I was sick. “I’ll deal with it when it happens.”
“I’m told Lord Orcan is on his way up,” she went on, causing me to pause with my fork halfway to my mouth. Shade shuffled closer, ready to protect me even though the lord hadn’t arrived yet.
“Why?” My voice grew strangled. Even if it wasn’t the king, Orcan had never been kind. In fact, he openly despised me.
“They need the next round of instructions to send to Yinora.”
Right. For the army I raised that only I could control and would have to command to kill innocents, even if only through the written word. My stomach soured, and I dropped my fork back to the plate, pushing my half-eaten food away.
When Lord Orcan arrived, it was a with a scowl on his face and grunted demands. His eyes flicked toward Shade every few seconds, who stood with folded arms and an accusing glare at my back like a sentinel watching their guard. His intoxicating scent enveloped me in a thick wave, forcing the lord to cough several times.
Once he left, Shade helped me onto one of the lounges while Wista prepared another cup of her healing tea. I sipped it slowly, wanting to stay aware long enough for what I needed to ask, what we needed to plan.
“What is it?” Wista asked after several minutes of silence.
“He threatened Eleanor.” My voice wavered, my chest tightening at the thought of Eleanor experiencing what I had. She would not be hurt. I couldn’t allow it.
Wista joined me on the lounge, taking my hand in hers and squeezing softly. “I’m not surprised, anyone can see how much you care for her.”
My eyes fluttered shut for a moment. It was my own transparency that had gotten us into this mess, now I needed to find a way out.
“We need to get out of the castle. Escape. I can only make a wish under the midday sun, but if we can get out, Shade can take us away.”
Wista pursed her lips, contemplating my words. “It needs to be in the sun?”
I nodded. “It’s the only way the magic will work.”
“The castle is busiest during the day, getting out then will be too difficult.” She hesitated before continuing, “There are rumors among the staff of escape tunnels built centuries agowhen war from across the seas was a threat. If we can find them, I could smuggle you through the castle at night, then you make a wish on the other side once day breaks again.”
I blinked rapidly to clear the stinging in my eyes at her loyalty. I hadn’t even asked, but Wista knew the lengths I would go in order to protect my sister, and she was willing to help. “Do you know where they are?”
“These are just rumors, but I’m told there’s one in the library and another in the garden.”
Odd. Would it not make more sense to have these escape tunnels somewhere closer to the royal family? Like a study or bed chamber? At my confused expression, Wista chuckled. “The queen back then spent a lot of time gardening and reading, her husband wanted to make sure she had an opportunity to escape if they were invaded.”
I narrowed my eyes on her. “You seem to know a lot about it. Are you sure it’s just rumors?”
She chuckled again. “The staff like to talk, who knows how much is truth and what is embellishments. But I’m confident the tunnels exist.”
“Well, it’s a better idea than nothing at all. Will you help us look?” I asked.
“It will be easier for you, Adelia. If I stray from my duties, questions will be asked, but you are to be a woman of leisure, the future Queen Consort. No one would question your walking through the garden or visiting the castle library.”
I frowned. Although she had a point, I wasn’t familiar with the castle at all. I wouldn’t even know where to begin, particularly not while I was under watch every hour of the day. “Nathanial …”
“I’m sure you can find a way to be subtle.” There was a knowing glint in her eye, and I smiled. I did indeed know how to be inconspicuous at times, how to move without notice. To do a job that was required of me without drawing attention. At Port’sTavern, attention was the last thing you wanted from its patrons, and Madame Dee had taught me a trick or two.
I yawned, the effects of the tea working through my system. My body softened and my eyes grew heavy.
“Rest for now, Adelia. You can start the search tomorrow.” She squeezed my shoulder, then packed up my breakfast dishes and left the suite.
Shade helped me into bed, tucking me in, and settled in his chair beside it.
I stared at his beautiful face, all sharp lines and pale skin. He took my hand and raised it to his lips, placing a kiss on the inside of my wrist. In my tired state, I couldn’t help but beam at the contact, and his answering smile was utterly breathtaking. I wanted to see it every day, to never look away.
