Maddox shook his head vehemently. “He doesn’t like gossip. Says we shouldn’t be gossiping to begin with.”
“Well, he’s right!”
“If you knew how deathly boring this job is I doubt you could stop yourself! Besides, it’s hardly my fault. The guards are always gossiping. What am I supposed to do, stuff my ears with cotton?”
“Preferably!”
“I already do that at night. Their snores are thunderous.”
I exhaled slowly. “Take everything you said back. Tell everyone you lied.”
Maddox scoffed. “It’s too late. Maybe if the crown prince actually liked you, we wouldn’t have this problem.”
“How is this my fault? I can’t help that he doesn’t like me.”
“Then make him! You can do anything and everything according to Father,” Maddox said.
I didn’t miss his bitter undertone. “Wait. Are youjealousof me?” I said, incredulous.
“In your dreams!” Maddox jerked his head forward so aggressively that it knocked into mine. “Ow!”
I rubbed the throbbing spot on my forehead. “Blazing fires. Your headisas hard as it looks.”
“You’re one to say!”
Before I could come up with another biting remark, footfalls came from behind me. “Is everything alright?”
I jerked up at the crown prince’s quiet voice. Heavens. I prayed he hadn’t heard anything.
“Perfectly, Your Highness.” I bobbed an unsteady curtsy before braving a look at his face.
Crown Prince Bennett glanced from me to Maddox. “I hope you do not mind the extra security. It’s merely a precaution.”
“Not at all.” I cleared my throat. “I was going to retire. Good night.”
I slipped through my door, shooting Maddox a glare before slamming it shut.
Misty bounded over to me.You’re here early, she said, nudging her head under my hand. I let the events of the past fifteen minutes wash over her.
Misty rolled onto her back and purred. I was sure if she had the ability to laugh, she would be in tears.My, that is hysterical! Imagine kissing Pippin—of all cats!
“Seriously? Isthatwhat you find funny?”
***
IT WAS STILL DARK WHENa knock came at my door.
“There’s something for you,” came Maddox’s groggy voice. I buried my face into my pillows and squinted at the gap between the curtains. Judging from the brightening horizon, it was very early in the morning. I donned a dressing gown and opened the door.
“What?”
Maddox held out a bundle of fabric, barely illuminated by the torch in the hallway. “Your dress or something,” he mumbled.
The ball was today. I had forgotten. I made a move to take it, but something scaly and glistening poked out of the fabric.
Maddox yelped. The dress tumbled onto the ground in a heap. “What in the blazing fires is that?”
I squinted as a snake slithered out. It was muddy in color with stripes running down its length.
