Page 29 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens (The Crimson Duet #1)

Guard Dog

V oices erupted in unison, turning into one incoherent sound.

“I left them in your study!” Roxanne shouted.

“They are not here!” Francis yelled back.

“Are you certain?” Roxanne rushed toward the table.

“Do you take me for a fool?” Francis shook his head.

Papers flew in every direction when Roxanne rummaged through the documents. “Fuck!” She finally gave up. “I put them right here. They were right here!”

Francis took a deep breath, collecting himself before speaking. “Who did you tell about the documents?” he said in a terrifyingly calm voice.

“I heard shouting.” Caleb ran into the room, with an unsheathed dagger in his hand. “Is everything all right?” He scanned the room.

“We only told Simon,” Roxanne shook her head.

“What is going on?” Caleb whispered to me, putting his dagger away.

“We can’t find the documents,” I replied quietly.

“Did you tell him at the tavern?” Francis took a deep breath as though using all of his energy to keep himself put.

Roxanne nodded, touching the bridge of her nose.

“Bloody hell.” Francis sat down on the chair.

“Someone must have overheard you,” Caleb chimed in.

“It doesn't matter,” Francis finally acknowledged Caleb's presence. “What are we to do now? The meeting is in a few hours! How did we get the documents across the entire Kingdom just to lose them in a stack of papers?” Francis snickered. “We risked our lives stealing from the queen for nothing.”

But the documents were not the only thing we stole from my mother. My legs carried me out of the study before I understood where I was headed. My legs screamed in protest as I flew up the staircase.

“Where in the Kingdom are you going?” Francis called after me. “Maybe this isn’t the time for one of your runs, Your Highness.”

Silver’s gaze met mine when I charged across my room. He let out a loud mew, curiously following after me.

My heartbeat quickened as I swept through my drawer, desperate to find our only hope of salvation. My fingers brushed over the familiar shape, its golden engraving sparkled under the candle light.

“What is that?” Roxanne’s voice traveled from behind me. She, Francis, and Caleb stood in the doorway of my room, eyeing me expectantly.

I spun the stamp in my hands, studying its curves. “The Royal stamp,” I met her gaze. “We can forge the documents. They won’t know the difference with a Royal stamp on it.”

A wide grin spread across Roxanne’s face; Francis stared at me in awe. It was Caleb who looked at me with suspicion. “If they catch us in a lie, it will ruin everything.”

“They won’t,” I asserted. “Not with me present.”

Earthy smells of spruce impregnated the air. The only way to reach the Barrens’ estate from the vampire grounds was through the dark snowy woods, with no clear path to follow.

“Excited to reunite with your beloved friends?” Francis’ voice cut through the cold air, making me flinch.

I bit my cheek when nausea turned my stomach upside down. My eyes scanned the surroundings, memorizing every branch’s curve.

“What is going on with you?” Francis crooked his head.

“Nothing.” The inside of my cheek started to bleed. The snow crushed under our horses’ hooves.

“Come now, Princess,” his voice softened. “I can tell something is bothering you. You’ve been gloomier than usual tonight.”

“ You are bothering me.” My nails dug into my palm around Annabelle’s reins.

“And what did I do?” Francis chuckled. When silence fell between us once again he sighed. “I don’t understand you, Cordelia.” He offered me a sad smile. “If you despise me so much, why did you kiss me?”

The words knocked the air out of my lungs, my face turned warm with embarrassment. He had been awake. Of course, he had been.

“It’s all right,” he shrugged. “I enjoyed the kiss, I just wish I was more conscious,” he hummed.

“I am sorry.” I closed my eyes.

“Don't be sorry, Princess, I'm sure I'll be more conscious next time.”

“It’s not—” I stared at the blood on my palms.

“Perhaps I misunderstood the kiss,” Francis suggested, his eyes fell upon my hands. “I’m sorry if I—”

“We can’t,” I interrupted him, meeting his gaze. “We should not. It’s wrong.”

“Wrong?” Francis’ brows furrowed. “Am I not of proper blood for you?”

“No!” I quickly exclaimed, shaking my head. “Moon, no!”

“Then,” he sighed. “What is it, Cordelia?”

“I—” I filled my lungs, avoiding his gaze. “I can’t,” I whispered, a sad smile made it onto my face. “Perhaps with time, but—”

He nodded, seeming to understand the unspoken words. “May I ask—”

“No.”

Francis offered a soft smile, handing me the flask. When my brows rose high he explained, “’Tis not wine, Princess. We are to enter human grounds, I figured you didn’t have any before we left,” he shrugged.

“Let me talk to the Barrens, all right?” I drank from the flask. “I know how to convince them.”

“Care to share?” Francis crooked his head. When I didn't reply he chuckled. “Right, I’m just your guard dog.” He reached for the flask.

“If I tell you my plan you will turn us around,” I told him quietly, avoiding his gaze.

Francis choked on his drink. “I don't recall your last plan being very planned.”

“My plan will work.” I snatched the drink out of his hand.

“You are jesting, Princess,” Francis shook his head. “If you don’t tell me, I am turning you around.”

“I’ve known these people since birth. I know what to do. Just—” I trailed off. “How can you expect me to start trusting you if you yourself don’t trust me?”

His lips turned into a thin line. “Tell me what to do.”

“Make sure no one touches me,” I whispered.

The thought of Timothy being so close made me shiver.

“No one will touch you,” Francis’ voice grew colder, “I swear.”