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“I can see why Prince Malaki was so taken with you. You are very easy to talk to as well and beautiful.”

Wren’s cheeks felt flush and she averted her gaze nervously. She heard the probing question he left unspoken, but was distracted by his kind words. She felt starved for kindness in this place and she reminded herself to be wary of that need.

“Yes, I am very lucky to have been noticed by the prince.” Before he could push for more information she said, “I must be going, I have an appointment with one of the lady’s from court.” The lie felt sour on her tongue, but she stood up and made to leave.

“Princess Wren, I didn't mean to pry.” He looked so remorseful it made Wren smile.

Turning to him, she said. “It’s Wren.” The guard who had been standing at the entrance followed behind her as she left. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she heard the prince sigh as she left him and his beautiful violin behind.

Chapter 11

TheguardtookWrento her rooms since she felt that she had met her requirement for meeting new people for one day. With the sun pouring into the room it compelled her to see what lay outside her prison.

A lush garden filled with flowers of every shape and color. It seemed as if a narrow arch opened up to something else, but she could not quite make out what it was. She ached to explore it, but remembered what her main purpose was in coming back to her rooms.

Her eyes lingered on a wooden door that she knew was the entrance to Prince Malaki’s rooms. Ignoring the anxiety that rose in her she went to the door, cracking it open enough that she could see the guard.

“Excuse me, would you be able to ask my Sophie—I mean, my maid Sophie to come here. I mean, can you send for her?” Wren cursed her own awkwardness, but took the grunt the guard offered as assent.

With nothing to do, but be alone with questions and memories, Wren walked, moving her hand along the beautiful wood-paneled walls until she came across a small bookshelf. She read the titles, not recognizing any of them, but felt thankful for their presence. At least she would have this.

She paused by the door next to the bookshelf that she knew connected her to the prince’s rooms. Slowly and quietly, she turned the knob, and sighed with relief when she realized it was locked. Moving back to the sitting room, she sat on one of the chaise lounges that gathered in front of the lit fireplace.

The door to the sitting room opened, and Sophie entered, looking entirely alarming. Her blonde hair was pulled back with a black ribbon. She wore tight breaches that emphasized the shape of her hips and clung to her legs, and a loose yet damp white shirt. Wren realized with alarm that it was sweat that clung to her shirt as her face was dripping and red from obvious exertion. Wren was nearly positive that she had run here.

“What is it—what is wrong?” gasped Sophie.

Wren stared dumbfounded. “What’s wrong with me? Sophie, what in hell’s bells happened to you?”

Sophie stared at her, deathly serious. “Did you just say hell’s bells?”

Wren shuffled her feet. “Yes.”

Sophie doubled over laughing. Wren felt uncomfortable that it was at her expense, but merely put her hand on her waist and stared down at the small, strangely dressed woman.

When Sophie showed no sign of ceasing her merry jaunt, Wren cleared her throat. “Are you quite done?”

Sophie waved her hand out at Wren while the other clutched her stomach. “Almost. Oh gods, I can’t.”

Wren’s irritation was hard to maintain at her friend’s happy laughs, so she moved to the table and lowered herself into the chair with as much dignity as she could muster. Sophie, finally regaining composure came to sit across from her, tears streaming down her face.

Wren gaped at her. “Why are you dressed like that, and what have you been doing?”

Sophie shrugged. “Training.”

“Sophie, I need to know why you look like this, what training you have been doing, and why Prince Malaki and Lady Daugherty trust you. I need to know, Sophie.”

Sophie sighed and leaned back in her chair. “I look like this because I have been running sword drills with Kai. Kai trusts me because I am his friend—only friend, at that. I suppose Lady Daugherty trusts me because she’s my mother.”

“Pardon me?” Wren could not process the words she had just heard.

Sophie rolled her eyes. “Wren, I don’t think you need me to repeat it.”

“Why are you a maid?” Wren nearly shouted the words.

Sophie shrugged noncommittally. “Kai asked for a favor. Also I am notamaid, I’myourmaid. See the difference?”

“But you’re a lady!” breathed out Wren, unable to wrap her mind around the revelations.