22
Lord Frederick heldout a folded paper, which Bennett took. My blood froze at the sight of my name in Mother’s spidery script.
My darling Narcissa,
It seems that I have underestimated you, daughter. Whether it was through your own cunning or through fateful circumstances, you are exactly where you need to be. That is all that I care for. My heart is singing with joy as I write, for we will be reunited soon. You mustn't let this opportunity go to waste. Get close to the crown prince. Make him trust you. Better yet, make him love you—heaven knows you’re beautiful enough to do it.
I tire of this cell. My health is deteriorating, and for that reason I cannot wait until you are queen to leave the dungeons. I will plan my own escape soon. When you receive this, know that I am somewhere in Delibera, awaiting your return.
All my love,
Your dearest mother
The parchment crumpled in the crown prince’s hand. He stood. The air suddenly felt colder.
“Bennett, I—”
“Where is Wilhelmina now, Lord Frederick?” he said, voice hard.
“Back in her cell, with extra security. It seems that her previous guard was allowing her various resources.” Lord Frederick turned to me, his usually kind face serious. “Lady Narcissa, if you have been communicating with your mother—”
I clenched my fists. “I haven’t.”
“Your father says you’ve been visiting her monthly,” he said. “Why? What were you speaking to her about? What did she say to you?”
“I...nothing. I promise.” My vision clouded. I blinked back my frustration. What could I say? That I was visiting her to make sure she was still there? That she wasn’t hatching another treasonous plot? It was the truth, but it sounded fraudulent. Like I was protecting myself.
Lord Frederick sighed as I went silent. “I’m not accusing you of anything, milady. It’s only procedure. If you could tell me everything you know—”
He cut himself off when I began to cry. I clamped a hand over my mouth, mortified that I couldn’t control myself in front of him. In front of Bennett.
Bennett turned away abruptly. “It’s getting late,” he said quietly. “We will deal with this matter in the morning.”
The shirt that he had carefully draped over his arm now lay in a pile on the window seat, forgotten.
I stood and fled, having no wish to manipulate them with my tears.
Giselle tried to stop me in the middle of the hall, but I pushed past her and locked myself in my room, heart threatening to burst out of my chest. But my heart was nothing compared to the anger bubbling in my stomach like a fiery cauldron ready to explode.
Even hundreds of miles away, Mother managed to destroy all I obtained without her. Lord Frederick’s generous kindness. The fragile trust I had only just built with the crown prince. Myfuture.
Misty bounded over to me from the bed, tail twitching in concern as I sobbed.What’s wrong?she meowed.
I hugged her close and buried my face into her fur. “I was fooling myself when I thought I could be anything more than a traitor’s daughter, wasn’t I?”
Misty put a paw on my chest.Stop being dramatic. Tell me what happened.
I pushed my jumble of emotions over to her and let the memories of the last ten minutes flash by. Misty hissed.So! That no good mother of yours is back at it again.
“I knew you didn’t like her,” I said with a mirthless laugh.
What are you going to do now?Misty asked.
I exhaled, sagging against the door. My damp skirts tangled around my legs. “I don’t know.”
She nudged her head against my arm.How about we run away? Find somewhere else to live—somewhere nobody knows us. Pippin must come too. We’ll need someone to carry the cargo.
