Chapter Twenty-Five #3
“Why do you want her spied on, and why me of all people?” I asked.
“I don’t believe explanations were a part of our bargain.”
“If you don’t trust me, what makes you think I won’t run to your brother or sister for protection? I’m sure they would pay handsomely for information on your plans.”
He studied me. “If you wanted to make a bargain with Zandyr you would have already done so, and I doubt you want anyone else learning what your true intentions are for being here. Did Ezrielle strike you as someone you could trust to make such a bargain with?”
No, she didn’t. Her manipulative reputation preceded her.
Even the headmistress had issued me a warning about the princess.
I couldn’t trust Zandyr to hold his end of any bargain either if he offered to buy out my loyalty to his brother.
While I wished I wasn’t in this predicament with him, Valeris didn’t appear to be a prattler.
“Fair, but why trust a stranger with such a covert operation? Even if you do have leverage.”
He let out a low chuckle. “Being a royal doesn’t mean you have an unlimited supply of loyal accomplices at your disposal—it means you have less.
Ezrielle could pick out someone from my inner circle spying on her if she was blindfolded in a crowded room.
Nothing gets by her. You, however, she has yet to suspect of anything.
She would have recognized our conversation on the balcony for exactly what it was—a public display.
I’ve also never seen someone so effortlessly destroy an alliance without any fallout.
Your training and discipline shone through. ”
I tried to ignore the compliment, but praise was rare in the tower. It was nice to know my skills had paid off, let alone been noticed and appreciated.
I peered up at him. “You didn’t answer the question of why you wanted them spied on. If I know what I’m listening for, perhaps I’ll pick up something I would otherwise miss and be able to offer insight.”
He mulled over my words. “Let’s just say it’s not for my own benefit, but for the benefit of Paravellia. Dire consequences await my people should my siblings succeed in their schemes.”
I looked at him differently, wondering if I had misjudged him. “You’re capable of caring for someone other than yourself?”
“Princes have many hidden talents,” he said, and walked back into the main room. “Will you be leaving through the balcony again?”
I stifled a groan at the thought.
“No, you’re not,” he answered for me, striding over to the main door and opening it. I jumped back behind the bed, irritated at his carelessness.
“Howland, would you please go grab me a pastry from one of the bakers?” Valeris asked.
A moment of quiet lingered before a long, dragged-out sigh issued from the bodyguard as he moved down the hallway.
Valeris shut the door and glanced up at an hourglass on the mantel. “You timed your entrance here perfectly, but if you try to leave through the balcony now, they will catch you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Trust me, they wouldn’t catch—”
“They would,” Valeris interrupted, indicating he knew something I didn’t. He grabbed a cloak from his wardrobe, tossing it at me. “Put this on.”
I stared at him. “You don’t mean we’re leaving through the royal chamber halls, do you?”
He opened the door. “No, I thought I would shove you off the roof.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Don’t worry. No one will know where you came from.”
I doubted that but chose to follow him anyway.
I took careful inventory of the hallway as we passed.
A gathering room lay off to one side, but it looked like it hadn’t been disturbed in years.
I could see the dust on all the surfaces in the room from here.
I made note of the hallway leading to King Zaricor’s chambers.
My fingers itched for the blade strapped to my side.
I could do it now. All I had to do was get inside and I could—
Valeris pulled up the hood of my cloak and jerked it low over my face.
I scowled.
He smirked and knocked on the entrance door for the royal chambers, saying, “Valeris.”
A guard on the other side opened the door and Valeris pushed me through so fast the guard didn’t get a chance to look at me.
“Let’s not mention this to anyone shall we, Will?” A conspiratorial tone coated Valeris’s voice.
Will grunted in answer as Valeris steered me down the corridor. I kept my grumbling thoughts to myself, but I didn’t want him to escort me through the whole palace. I yanked my arm away from his hold when I found a window decent enough for escape.
“I can manage to get back from here.” I removed his cloak and handed it to him.
When I looked up into his eyes, skepticism flecked through them.
“I overheard your sister’s private conversation by scaling the wall and you’re doubting my ability to make it from here?”
He shrugged, turning on his heel, not waiting for me to leave.
“That’s it?” I asked. “You’re not even going to let me know what’s next on the agenda?”
He didn’t even turn around as he answered, “Goodnight, Analleia.”