“Your turn to drive,” Illium told Bosh, not moving. The older man knew my plan and he was good with secrets; mostly because he didn’t care. He and Naveed could fill Bosh in after we left.
Bosh hopped up into the front seat, eager to drive, while Illium and Naveed continued to lounge in the back.
“Good luck.” I nodded to them as Bosh clicked for the horses to take off down the road once more.
“You too, boss,” Bosh called back cheerfully, and they were off.
“Why aren’t we going with them?” Arie asked me, frowning. “And why are they dressed like servants, but we’re not? I’m not going any further until you explain.”
“You have cute frown lines,” I told her as we strolled down the road, unhurried. It was true. She also had a dimple in one cheek when she was trying not to smile. “They’re going to need them to blend in once they’re inside.”
“Aren’t we going to need to blend in too?” Her voice fell in disappointment as she added, “You’re taking me off the crew, aren’t you?”
“Not at all,” I reached down to the side of the road to snap off a long piece of stiff grass. “You and I are taking the easier way in.”
“Easier?”
“Mmm,” I nodded, chewing on the prairie grass, an old habit. “Daichi and Ryo are going to unbar the door on the castle keep and drop a rope out the outer tower window. Naveed, Bosh, and Illium will all be scaling the wall to get inside. I figured you and I could just walk in instead.” Unlike the other men, I was dressed in my finest. “That reminds me.” I lowered the sack from my shoulder. “I got you something.”
With a flourish, I tugged a huge pile of red fabric from the bag, struggling to find the top and botching the unveiling a little.
She gasped. “What’s this?”
Feeling quite pleased with myself, I grinned and held it out to her. “Try it on. Humor me.” I returned to the road while she stepped behind the trees on the side, switching her torn grey dress for the brand new one.
“How’s this?” she asked, sounding breathless.
When I turned around I accidentally let the piece of grass fall from my mouth. “Very nice.” She looked stunning. Her raven hair flowed down her back, free and wild, and the red dress made her look fiercely beautiful. “We’re gonna need to do something about your hair,” I said, clearing my throat. I stepped up to her. “I grew up with sisters. Trust me.”
She frowned at the idea of my doing her hair, but didn’t protest. The simple crown braid only took me a few minutes. Playing with her hair felt intimate. And absolutely nothing like doing my sister’s hair. “There, done.”
She touched a hand to the loose braid, brows rising. “I’m impressed.”
“You should be. You look beautiful.”
She blushed at the compliment—or possibly my gaze. “So. Walking in, you say.”
“Only for another minute or two,” I said, turning to glance behind us. “In fact, I think I see our ride coming now.”
