Page 105 of In The Dark
“The documents you requested. This is what I found last night, still sealed like ordered.”
“Good. Did he notice you?”
“No,” I say curtly. “I did eavesdrop on his conversation with a male named Kon. They mentioned something about meeting in a few weeks, though I’m not sure who he is, but he seemed important to Ekrin. I stole the documents shortly after they finished up.”
He looks off, clearly lost in thought, and then eyes me from across the desk, the silence stretching for a beat.
“You did well,” he says, and I realize that this must have been a test somehow. It takes everything in me to keep my expression neutral, my hands lightly clasped behind my back. My stomach flutters at the unexpected praise, throwing me off because that’s as close to a compliment as I’ll ever get from King Elion.
“You are the only female in the brotherhood, are you not?” he asks, his tone firm.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I reply, wondering where this is going.
“There are some…” He trails off, stroking his white beard while casually leaning back. “Perks to that. I’ll be throwing a ball at the castle next week and need you to attend as a guest.”
A guest?What kind of guest and what does he mean by perks? Perks for him or for me? It’s hard to decipher the meaning as I’ve never attended as a guest before. Usually when I go to one of King Elion’s balls, I’m attending as another guard. He likes to increase his security when festivals or balls are held, typically around the perimeter to eavesdrop. To watch the dukes and duchesses of Elderheim, but no one seems to notice us.
“As Sensa Blackwyth. You’ll be going as one of the Blackwyths’ long-lost nieces, and since they are so far from Alvonia,no one would question your appearance. All of Elderheim’s high-ranking citizens will be there for our yearly Aurorafest. It will be the perfect excuse to attend since none of them have any familiarity with you.”
“And what of the Blackwyths?” I ask.
“The Blackwyths will not be attending. You will be able to do what you can that night because I need you to get close to Ekrin Highcrest. I need more information from him regarding the rumor that’s been floating around. A rumor that he’s been sympathizing with the Shadovar, and I need to confirm whether or not that’s true. I want you to do it for me,” he says, and I mask my shock.
Kiev and Selphira Blackwyth are the duke and duchess of Eldryn. Last I heard, they haven’t been attending any of the balls given they’re so far north, making it hard to travel due to the rocky and snowy terrain. King Elion hasn’t seemed to mind though, but now I can understand why, especially if he wants me going as one of their nieces.A niece I know doesn’t exist.
Elion eyes me cautiously, as if watching to see how I’ll respond to this new mission. A mission directly given to me by the king himself. Although alarming, I remain steady as an icy grin begins to form at the corners of my mouth.
“I’m always happy to serve you, Your Majesty. How shall I dress?” I ask.
His expression remains the same, but I catch a gleam of amusement in his eyes before he answers. “I’ll send you to Karina the day of. The ball is in six days. You’ll hear more about your mission from Captain Demaris,” he says dismissively, but as I begin to bow, he leans forward. The air suddenly thickens, his gaze locking on to mine, forcing me to straighten. His voice goes low in warning. “I’ve spent years perfecting my guards and making sure they are loyal to me—their training is just as important as yours. It would be unfortunate if your sharp tongue was found on the wrong end of one of their blades.Count this as your only warning from me. I’d hate to lose someone so… skilled, and I hope you’re wise enough to avoid that mistake again.”
He must have either seen or heard me outside his archives with a knife to his guard’s throat. My mouth goes dry, but I nod firmly. “Of course. I apologize, Your Majesty. It won’t happen again. I’ll be ready in six days.” I bow, and he waves a hand in dismissal, then rips open the documents.
My stomach flutters as I exit, breathing a quiet sigh of relief for the catastrophe I just avoided.
But now I have a new mission.
38
I pinnedmy auburn mark before seeing Karina, the castle’s seamstress, in her workspace this afternoon. My black hair is elegantly pulled away—half up—with a few wavy strands framing the sides of my face.
Karina dressed me in a mesmerizing two-toned cream-and-gold gown that cascades to the floor. The bodice fits snug at my chest, hanging just off my shoulders and dipping to the swell of my breasts.
I expected to learn more of my mission from Ren like King Elion mentioned, but all I got was a missive shoved under the door with an extensive backstory on Sensa Blackwyth. I haven’t seen Ren since he caught me sneaking back into my own chamber last week. I just figure he was searching for any information regarding the second-in-command without being obvious.
Karina opens the massive white door with a soft smile. “I’ll send someone tomorrow to retrieve the items from your chamber.”
My grin widens as I stride past before stopping short. Renpushes himself off the wall across from me, eyes grazing mine with a disinterested stare.
“What are you doing?” I ask just as the door quietly clicks shut, leaving us alone in the hall.
“I’m your personal guard for the night,” he says, slowly scanning me from top to bottom before meeting my eyes, expression unreadable.
“You’re my what?” That’s when I notice what he’s wearing.
Dark pants are covered by the long cream-and-gold colored tunic with a matching cape, elegantly draped from his shoulders, a golden clasp securing it at his collarbone. His arms are gloved, matching the dark belted sheath secured at his waist holding a golden sword with an emerald jewel nestled at the top—matching the one at my throat. My cheeks heat at the realization of him matching me.
He looks like a royal guard.