Sol shrank deeper into his hiding place, instinctively shying away from the tension, as well as expecting the two men to walk through the door at any second.
As expected, the latch of the door squeaked again, and this time, Sol saw the door press open.
The general stepped through first.
“Councilor,” Jules said as he followed him through the door. “Was it not you who permitted the princess and her husband to come to Falqri?”
The general’s foot faltered for a moment. “You must be mistaken,” he said.
Sol tilted his head at the blatant lie.
“Woe indeed, should anything befall our king’s possession should it fall into enemy hands while the princess is here.” Jules’s voice held a hint of satisfaction, even though his words merely echoed what Younn had already said. “Fortunately forme,Princess Meena is hardly one to be intimidated by.”
“Never underestimate the power of a pretty face,” Younn said over his shoulder as they continued down the hall.
Sol bristled at the man’s callous words about Meena.
“You misunderstand me, Councilor,” Sol replied. “Anyone who has met the princess would know she is as bright as she is beautiful. But it is also clear that she has not a bone of guile in her at all. No, fortunately for us, I believe she and her prince are truly and disgustingly in love.”
Sol smiled, pleased that their ruse was working so well.
“I am not here to discuss the specifics of Philomena’s romantic entanglements,” Younn said. “Lead me to where you are keeping it while the festivities are in full swing.”
“This way, Councilor.” Jules took the lead. “Though, I don’t believe you can call their relationship a romantic entanglement if they are married.”
Sol remained under the bench until the two guards left as well, then he silently crept from his hiding place and followed them through the dim halls.
Meena smiledin surprise when Sol stepped between her and her dance partner.
He held out his hands, taking the place of her partner, and she happily accepted his wordless invitation.
Her heart pounded wildly from the exertion of the dance and from the spark of excitement she could see behind Sol’s eyes. He had something to tell her.
The music was playful and loud, laying down an infectious rhythm.
Sol spun them around, dexterously moving them away from the center of the dance floor.
Meena relished the feeling of his hands holding hers, guiding her and swaying with her to the music.
She knew he was pulling her away to discuss what he’d learned. And she was anxious to hear it.
But a small selfish part of her wanted to remain in the dance with him. She wanted to see him throw back his head and laugh with the intoxicating cadence of the rhythm.
She wanted an excuse to hold on to his hands for a moment longer.
As Sol spun them to a stop, leading them away from the dance and into the crowd of bystanders, Meena felt a stab of guilt for her thoughts.
She’d lived her life protected from harm. Protected even from the more cruel truths of the world. She wasn’t here for her own satisfaction. This wasn’t about her. She needed to do everything in her power to help her family protect the people of Iseldis from Gareth’s cruelty.
Sol still held her hand, leading her to a shadowed staircase she hadn’t noticed.
She gripped his hand appreciatively. This wasn’t about her, but she was here.
And Sol was here. Ruse or not, they had developed a friendship that was important to her, even if it was not important to him.
“What did you learn?” she asked.
“Younn knows we are here for the receptacle,” Sol replied, his voice low. “We have to move quickly.”
