Chapter 7 #2
“Because you tricked me. After everything. Why? You wanted the glory all for yourself, didn’t you?”
“That’s the most ridiculous thing I heard today.” His laughter grates on me, pokes at my already wounded pride.
“Did you think I was ridiculous when I was snatching the eggs from the cave?”
“No, but your accusation is absurd. You’re quite observant, so I’m sure you noticed that I sailed the boat back to Dracolius City all by myself. Didn’t need you. And there’s no better place to get rid of a body than the enemy’s sea. Had I wanted all the glory for myself, you wouldn’t be here.”
His words and his stare make me tremble. “So you would have killed me?”
He shrugs. “I don’t think I’d need to bother, frankly.
You were saying, ‘Let’s jump.’ I’d say, ‘Go, I’ll be right after you.
’ Then you’d be alone in the riders’ sea.
I wouldn’t even need to soil my hands with your blood.
It would be that easy. But no. You’re here, breathing.
It means I obviously had no intention of claiming all the glory for myself. ”
My body stiffens. “I see. I should be thankful you didn’t kill me.”
“You should be thankful I’m being honest with you. If I’m telling you the worst of me, it’s because I trust you. Truly, Mayara. I need allies. Extraordinary allies. Like you.”
I snort. “Extraordinary cleaning crew?”
“For now, yes. It’s the best I could get, and instead of complaining, you should appreciate your opportunity.
Let me tell you something. When I was growing up in the streets of Cainara, I often had nothing to eat.
My belly growled. My head hurt. Then, sometimes, I found a piece of moldy bread.
What do you think I did? Complained that the bread was moldy?
No. I said, ‘Thank you, Foros. Now give me some more.’ That’s what you do when luck graces you. You seize it.”
He fists his hand and gives me an intense look that slowly turns soft, so soft that it melts my anger, even more so when I consider his difficult past.
But it doesn’t change the fact that he didn’t uphold our agreement. “I’m sorry you had a tough childhood.” I try to appeal to his conscience. “Still, you told me I’d get into the academy, and never mentioned joining the cleaning crew. Isn’t your word worth something?”
“It was not my fault, Mayara, but I do have good news for you.”
“What news?”
“I couldn’t make you a recruit, no, but I found the person who schedules the academy’s cleaning crew. You won’t have to work.”
Something about it feels wrong. “That’s dishonorable. I’ve always earned my keep.”
He rolls his eyes. “When Foros sends you a gift, you take it. Most of the population of Dracolius would love to trade places with you. No need to work. So be thankful. You can also attend theory classes. It means that once we find a way to revert the decision, you won’t be behind.”
His words soothe my worry, appease most of my anger. “I can attend classes?”
“Yes. And I have a gift for you.”
We head back to the bedroom, and he opens a small coffret from which he takes a black key with a thin gold chain holding it. “People would kill for this.”
“What is it?”
He puts the chain around my neck, his fingers lingering, sending a jolt of energy through my body.
“A master key,” he says, his voice husky. “The master key, I should say. To the entire castle.” He places a hand on his chest. “More than just the castle.”
His heart? No, he can’t mean that. “Why are you giving it to me?”
“It’s a secret, and you can’t tell anyone.
Keep it hidden under your clothes. I have a copy too.
I borrowed the original and replicated it.
Now, I can’t really do much with it. If people see me in a room where I don’t belong, they’ll ask questions.
But you? Wearing that uniform? You’ll be invisible.
You can go anywhere you want. This is your chance to unearth some precious secrets. ”
That door near the auditorium comes to mind. I shake away the thought and ask, “Like what?”
“If I knew them, they wouldn’t be secret.
But information is like treasure. Gets hidden here and there.
And now you can find it. You can look at the records and see who doesn’t want you as a recruit, for instance.
That’s one thing you can do. The only thing I ask of you is that you share what you find. ”
He’s unbelievable. “So that was your plan? To make me your spy?”
He raises a finger. “It is a brilliant plan, indeed, but no. Not being a recruit makes you sad, and seeing you sad tears me apart.”
I almost roll my eyes, unsure why he’s saying that, but also confused about the key, about everything.
“Thanks,” I mutter.
He reaches out a hand and caresses my hair. I want to move away, but I’m still too stunned. Or maybe I want to lean into his touch and get even closer.
He says, “Tomorrow you’ll get instructions about where to go, what to do. For now, I’ll show you to your bedroom.”
Pulling my hand, he leads me to the hallway by the washroom, where he opens a wooden door leading to a large but not enormous room with a single bed, two large drawer chests, and a small sofa, with a window facing the bay and the pouring rain outside.
I’m so confused. “I don’t understand.”
“Your room, Mayara. You said I don’t want to share my victory with you, but it’s not true. You’ll stay here. With me.”
A sharp, cold feeling spreads through my body, and I pull back my hand. This is wrong. “But these are your quarters.”
“And you’re my guest.”
The idea of sleeping in this gorgeous room sounds good—in theory. Except that something like this would come with a price. Maybe I don’t want to owe a favor or depend on Alayel’s goodwill.
I smile. “Thanks. Truly. But it’s inappropriate.”
“Why inappropriate?” He frowns, looking confused.
Apparently I have to spell out the obvious now. “They’ll think I’m your mistress, Alayel.”
He chuckles. “Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m not married.”
At once, one of the reasons for my refusal flashes in my mind.
“What about Silvia?” I ask, and then want to take back the words, but it’s too late.
His laughter now makes me want to punch his face. “Oh, that’s cute. Did you make a list of all my past dalliances? Are you interested in a performance report? You can ask me.”
Of course I feel foolish for having brought that up. “I just mean that you’re involved with someone, so you shouldn’t have another woman in your quarters.”
“I’m not involved with her. I fucked her when she begged me to, but it wasn’t a brilliant decision.”
Gross. “Is that how you talk about the women you take to your bed?”
“Not all of them, no. The thing is, not everyone is nice. Not everyone deserves our respect. On the other hand, some people are lovely. I’ll never talk about you like that.”
“Will? You think…” A chuckle of disbelief escapes my lips.
He crosses his arms. “There’s one thing you need to know about me. I get everything I want.”
“Good for you.” I head to the closet, hoping to find my way out.
“Stop.”
For some reason, I turn, and find him looking at me, remorse written on his features. “You can stay here. Please. Even if you never, ever, come close to my bed, it’s your reward. You earned this as much as I did.”
“I appreciate it, but I don’t want people talking.”
He rolls his eyes. “Nobody even knows you.”
“Right? I’m a nobody.” And that’s the other problem; the power imbalance between us. “So let me go where I belong.”
His expression softens. “You belong with me. But I’ll let you go. You don’t need to return to that dreadful dorm. There’s a room three doors to the left of it that was arranged for you. Your master key will work.”
“A room?”
He nods. “It was part of my negotiations. I tried, Mayara. You think I didn’t, but just imagine me arranging the terms of my recognition as a prince, while annoying them about a rejected trial candidate.
But I got a room for you. Yes, I was hoping you would stay here, but having your own room means people wouldn’t wonder where you are.
Wouldn’t talk. See? I do care about your reputation.
When you change your mind, let me know.”
I don’t want to say I will, so I mutter, “Thanks.”
“And we’ll reverse this decision. You’ll be a recruit. Remember I get everything I want, and I want to make you happy.”
That doesn’t make any sense. “Why?”
“You know why.” His stare is deep, intense, and disconcerting. For a second, I want to stay here. I want to kiss him, but then I remember the nasty way he talked about his previous lover. Not only that; I think about a cleaning lady and a prince. He obviously wants only one thing from me.
“Tell me,” I whisper. “The space between unsaid words is ripe for misunderstanding.”
“Truths aren’t pretty, Mayara.”
“Tell me.”
He takes two steps toward me. “I want you naked in my bed, legs spread for me, while you scream Your Highness.”
I tremble, and I don’t know if it’s desire, revulsion, anger, or shame in realizing that in fact, he only wants one thing from me. “That’s… very honest.”
“I’m truthful. It means you can trust me.”
“Right.”
I turn to walk back to the closet, but he pulls my hand and points to the golden door on the left.
“That way. The servants’ stairs have a blue door. Go down six floors and you’ll find your room. I’ll be here, thinking of you.”
“Good night.”
I walk away, my heart making a racket in my chest. Anger? Desire? Perhaps the only clear feeling is confusion. So much confusion.
And yet I have a key. Maybe it will let me uncover some hidden treasure. Maybe I’ll find a way to change my future. What I can’t do is give up.
I forgot to ask about where to get dinner. Forgot everything, in fact.