Sir Gellings let out a gruff breath but nodded, his gaze lingering on Soren for a moment longer before he turned.
A few hours later, while Soren and her other handmaidens helped the princess bathe in water scented with fragrant petals and milk, she asked, “What did Sir Gellings want with you, Soren?”
Soren swallowed as she gently poured water over the princess’ long, silky black hair. She had to be very careful what she said in reply.
“I think he saw me watching you train,” she told the princess, massaging a floral-scented oil into her roots. “He asked if I had any interest in it.”
Princess Cion twisted, facing Soren. “And do you?”
A surprised laugh bubbled up, but Soren tamped it down. “Of course not, Your Highness. My duty is to serve you alone.”
Mona, Thelia, and Jasmen all eyed Soren warily. They must have lacked discreteness, because Princess Cion noticed and said to all of them, “You’re not in trouble, Soren. I was just curious.”
“Of course, Your Highness,” Soren murmured, rinsing the rest of the soap and oil from her hair.
Once the princess was done bathing and the water was drained, Soren and Mona went to retrieve Princess Cion’s dinner while Thelia helped her dress.
As soon as they were alone, Mona hissed, “What was that about?”
Soren pressed her lips together. “The knight who trains the princess, Sir Gellings—he knows. About what Her Majesty has us do. He inquired about it today.”
Mona’s eyes widened. “You need to tell Her Majesty.Immediately.”
“The knight is important to the princess,” Soren murmured. “You know what will happen to him if I say anything.”
“Do you want to be caught?” Mona whispered harshly. “Do you want to be blamed for?—”
“No!” Soren whispered harshly. “Of course not.”
“You care too much for them.” Mona’s voice was barely a whisper. The words were dangerous, and they both knew it. “Remember who they are. Remember what they havedone.”
Soren glanced at the closed door to the prince’s chambers down the hall as Mona’s words washed over her. Sudden, cold fury overwhelmed her; of course she remembered. They were trapped in the kingdom of a tyrant king who had overreached. And when Prince Nell eventually rose to power, she knew it would only get worse. It would almost be better if he died now and Princess Cion or her sister took the throne.
She would stop it if she could, but she was powerless. They all were.
“We should get her dinner,” Soren said, voice flat.
She suddenly felt so numb, so devoid of emotion. Defeat did that to a person, she supposed.
“Yes, we should, and?—”
But Mona cut herself off as Hector practically stumbled from the prince’s chambers, his eyes bloodshot and wide, his lips pale. Both Soren and Mona stilled when they saw his dazed expression.
“Hector,” Soren said, taking a step forward, holding out a tentative hand. He was trembling so hard, each breath was audible. “What is it?”
“He’s gone,” Hector breathed, not looking at them but at the night sky beyond. “The gods took him.”
Soren froze, her hand midair, and Mona muttered, “Holy gods.”
Hector shut his eyes, taking a shuddering breath before insisting, “Forget I said that. You cannot know. No one can, not yet.”
“I thought it was merely an ailment of the stomach,” Mona whispered.
Soren cleared her throat then tugged on Mona’s hand and said in a voice steadier than she felt, “We need to retrieve the princess’ dinner. She will wonder what is taking so long.”
Hector cleared his throat. “Yes, you should go. And not a word to the others, either of you. I’m going to notify His Majesty, but I’m sure he’ll want discreteness for as long as possible.”
The two of them hurried away from the hall, where Hector was opening the supply closet and retrieving a clean sheet.
