Page 41

Chapter 41

Laude

“Laude, you should shed the likes of that lap-lap dog who follows you arrrround.” Prince Hugo’s speech slurred. He refilled his pewter mug. “This is the best wine I’ve ever t-tasted.”

“Maybe you should stop.” I grabbed the bottle from his hand and placed it on a side table.

He caught my wrists. “How about another dance with the sweetheart?”

I yanked my arms from his grasp, but he wrapped me in his arms and swayed. “Prince Hugo, you aren’t thinking clearly.”

Footfalls approached behind me. I spun around as far as I could while enduring Prince Hugo’s clumsy attempt at a waltz.

Whyzer Patro’s thin form hovered like a ghost at the doorway. His dark gaze took in the sight before him with cold calculation on his wrinkled face. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Prince Hugo let me go, still wearing a lopsided grin that now seemed awkward on his handsome features. “Can a man not desire to dance with a queen?”

“How much did you have to drink?” Whyzer Patro grabbed Hugo’s pewter mug and sniffed the bottle I’d put down.

“Only a few dozen gulps of this and that. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy a drink every so often?” Prince Hugo’s masculine posture slumped on one side, he tipped over and caught himself on an armchair. He laughed and laughed some more; the wildness of his mannerisms pinched my heart.

Though I’d meant to put the poison in the bottle, and I meant to cause damage, seeing the effect proved a harsh reality to witness. I clutched the pearls at my neckline, twisting and turning them with concern.

Whyzer Patro snapped his fingers at someone in the corridor. “Come. He needs to sleep off the strong drink.” He carried the bottle in his hands.

The bulky bald man I’d seen earlier tramped to collect Zichri’s older brother. He slung the cackling man over his shoulder.

“I’m flying.” Prince Hugo sang.

My gaze met Whyzer Patro’s, and for several long seconds the old man maintained an unflappable look that shouted I’m on to you, senorita . But then he said, “It’s time to eat. Would you like me to get Jaime?”

A flicker of panic blinded my vision, but I tried not to let it show.

“Yes, of course, if he’s not sleeping. You know, I wouldn’t want to bother him because he surely needs his rest, but if he’s awake, I’m sure he’s hungry and thirsty and would love to see me. But the man does need to rest and heal after all that we went through on our trip.” I stopped myself before I blathered any further nonsense. I realized yet again that I am not well suited for espionage.

More footsteps echoed from somewhere deeper in the building. The bald man reappeared. “Whyzer—”

“Bruno.” Whyzer Patro squinted with feigned happiness. “Go get our dear friend, Jaime.”

“But Whyzer,” Bruno cut in front of me, “there’s some—”

“Now!” Whyzer Patro insisted.

“At your orders.” Bruno trudged away, leaving behind my curiosity at what he was about to say.

“Shall we?” The whyzer signaled for me to exit and then stepped to my side, offering his arm as if we were going for an afternoon stroll through the gardens. He still had the bottle in his possession.

We traveled the many passages and turned into a dining hall with a long table and tall, slender windows. Banners of the various kingdoms hung from the walls with golden tassels weighing down the bottom. The only banner that did not decorate the walls was the olive green and gold of Giddel.

Whyzer Patro pulled out a chair next to the head of the table and gestured for me to sit. Panic overtook my chest as if a seagull tried to escape the clutches of a monster, but my ribs kept it imprisoned. I took a seat on the hard bottom and left a gap from the table should I need to flee.

Under the whyzer’s stare, I wanted to take off running, even though I knew I’d never make it. His nearness burned in the scar on my shoulder, but he didn’t try to control me, for whatever reason. Did he suspect I’d poisoned Prince Hugo?

The whyzer poured himself some wine and then continued to serve two other small cups. What was he planning? I kept my shaky palms pressed on the table to prevent them from shaking.

The Bruno fellow and Jaime shuffled through the door. My heart sank at Jaime’s swollen face and the lack of spark in his good eye. I wished to push thoughts at him like Beatriz could do when she really put her mind to it. I needed to warn him about what I’d done to Whyzer Patro’s food and wine.

“Whyzer,” Bruno spoke in the old man’s ear. The only words I caught were “gone,” “shakes,” and “girl.”

Jaime nodded at me, but I couldn’t tell what he was trying to communicate and didn’t dare speak. It was hard enough to eavesdrop over the drumbeat of my own heart. I pointed with my lips to Whyzer Patro’s plate and mouthed poison . He squished his forehead and tilted his head, not a good sign.

I winked, trying not to be too exaggerated.

“Get Eloisa.” Whyzer Patro lifted his staff. “Search below.”

“Is something wrong, Senor Whyzer?” I asked.

His cold black eyes shot like daggers in my direction. “No, let’s eat.”

The stout cook pushed her food cart across the room toward us. Judging by Whyzer Patro’s calming breath, she must have been Eloisa. The lady set a tray before each of us and took off the covers. Steam twirled through the humid air like snakes ready to strike. Then she poured water and wine in glasses. “Anything else, Whyzer Patro?”

He waved her away with a flick of his wrist. I waited for him to pick up his fork and knife, which took a while. When I lifted my utensils, I cut a slice of meat and eyed Jaime. He copied my motions, but Whyzer Patro seemed to do the same. How was I going to get the whyzer to eat without having Jaime do the same?

Then, I placed the sliver of meat in my mouth and chewed. The delightful flavor played along my tongue and inspired a groan from my throat. Having not eaten for days, this was the best food I’d ever tasted. My mouth watered, and I longed to stuff the whole plate down my throat.

I lifted my wine glass and winked at Jaime. He took up his own glass. Whyzer Patro did the same. I pretended to drink but didn’t let the liquid touch my lips. Having seen Prince Hugo’s nearly immediate response, I was sure something would happen in a couple of minutes if they drank.

The meal went on and on in this same fashion with neither man taking anything that I did not. Sweat trickled from my hairline with such dangers in easy reach. Once I finished the meat and tostones, I moved on to shuffling the oily vegetables that smelled of garlic and onion. The aroma begged me to take a bite, and I did.

I needed a cup of water to clean my palate, but the only liquid in front of me was Whyzer Patro’s spirits. The small vial jutting into my stomach from under my corset remained a constant reminder of what I’d done. The other vial on my left side remained in the hole I’d made in my dress. Though I had an antidote, I had no idea if I’d get to administer it in time to save myself or anyone else.

Bruno stormed into the dining room. “She’s gone too.”