Page 99

“A hidden door,” he murmured, and his eyes lit up. “To the long closed off part of the palace?”

Of course, he would know that the palace had concealed portions of itself off to his family. If Clemencia knew, then it wasn’t a secret.

“But why would it allow you back there?” he demanded, a new tone in his voice. It took me a moment to register it as excitement.

“I can’t say. I was in need of refuge and found a door.” I swallowed, hoping that he’d believe me.

It was almost laughable, really. This time I was actually telling the truth, whereas I’d been lying through my teeth, and no one had outwardly questioned me.

He studied me with interest and as the seconds passed, any hope I had left withered.

“Warden Roar would be very irate to find you here,” the prince finally said with a frown. “Shall I have someone show you back to your room?”

My mouth fell open. He wasn’t going to press? Why? In his position, I surely would. I—I stopped my thoughts before I could get into more trouble and closed my mouth.

The better question was why was I just standing around questioning this mercy?

“I know the way!” I lied and nodded frantically, not about to add another person to the web of lies I’d spun tonight. I’d figure it out even if I had to walk every hallway unescorted. “Goodnight!”

Before he said another word, I turned and dashed down the entryway, passing the toilet room, and the other rooms, one that appeared to be a personal study and another room filled with swords.

When I got to the door leading into the main hall, I pulled it open and shut it quickly behind me. When I turned, I found a Clawsguard with skin as pale as the moon staring at me in horror.

“How did you get in there?” the guard asked, hand gravitating to his sword, violet eyes wide.

“I–uh.” By the stars, I’d been so relieved to be dismissed by the prince that I hadn’t even worried about the guard at his door.

I was still fumbling for a lie when a voice boomed from inside the prince’s room.

“Let her go, Sir Qildor.”

“Ah, yes, my prince.” The guard stepped aside, looking like he wanted to do anything but follow orders.

Taking the grace I’d been shown, I scurried back to my room.

Chapter 29

Worry struck me the moment I woke up the next day.

Would Prince Vale mention I’d been in his suite? And who would he tell? Or would the guard spread a rumor? Fates, what would I say if Roar confronted me? Or even the king?

Why had the prince even let me go?

I rose, hoping answers might come faster in the bath. The sprinkling of snow lily petals in the water made the room smell floral, much like Clemencia’s signature perfume. As I slipped into the copper clawfoot tub, I sighed, but still answers did not come.

My mockery of peace proved short-lived, however, as Clemencia knocked and entered before I could say a word. She held a tin in her hand, and she lingered on the edge of the room. “Good morning, Lady Neve. I hope your audience with the king went well?”

Another thing I felt uncertain if I should mention. My secrets began to pile up, stifling me from the inside.

“Did you hear Lord Roar return last night?” I answered her with a question of my own.

“He arrived minutes before sunrise. That the king wished to entertain him is a good sign.” She beamed.

I swallowed. In Avaldenn, most everyone knew about the harem and the king’s practice of bringing others into that lurid space. What would stop the king from talking about it when he saw nothing wrong with his actions? That settled my decision on one matter. She wouldn’t like it, but my lady-in-waiting should know the truth of this, at least.

“Clem, we went to the king’s harem.” I met her gaze firmly with my own.

Her eyes went wide. “Pardon me?”