Chapter 33
Zarek
THE WAY MOST PEOPLE LIE
Lilias stares at me like she’s trying to decide if she wants to pick up the chamber pot and hit me again. Her cheeks are flushed, her hair is a mess, and the thin fabric of her nightgown presses against the swell of her chest in a way that’s impossible not to notice.
I don’t think she believes a word I’ve said, which shouldn’t surprise me. Of course no one believes me; I’m the snake of Vsenrog. I’ve built my entire royal career around being untrustworthy.
And part of being the snake is that no one trusts me, even when I am telling the truth. This is the first time that’s bothered me.
I drag the towel over my face one last time, then drop it onto a chair.
I’m tired in a way that goes beyond needing a quiet place to sleep for the night.
No, this feels like something that’s sunk into my bones, like rot in the center of an oak tree.
I think of the silver hairs around Petrys’s temples and the strange, unsettling realization that both of us are growing older inside the kingdom that took us as hostages when we were children.
At the time, we thought we’d be freed in two years. Three, at the most.
And then Vsenrog attacked, and Dungal fell, and we were all trapped here. Forever.
I sigh, then turn back to the beautiful young woman King Malrik gave me as a wife.
“They lock the palace doors at night,” I say. “Usually, the guards just let me in, but the guy standing watch tonight— He has a bit of a problem with me.”
As if it’s my fault he’s such a shitty card player, I don’t bother to add.
“So, that’s why I came in the window,” I finish. “That, and I thought I could sneak in without waking you up.”
Lilias sniffs. She turns to the window, then back to me, and nods again.
“Fine,” she says.
Well, that’s settled. I pick up the towel and walk toward the bathing chamber. My new suit hangs against the wardrobe on the far wall like a dark ghost. I push open the door to the bathing chamber, then turn back to Lilias.
“There’s an hour or so until sunrise,” I say. “I’ll stay in here. You can get a bit more sleep, if you’d like.”
She shrugs. She looks small and cold in her white nightgown, next to the massive curtained bed, and once again I wish I could apologize for this entire situation. In another world, perhaps, we could both sit down and laugh about it.
“It doesn’t bother me,” she says, suddenly.
Rain gusts against the windows. She stands up a little taller.
“The brothel, I mean,” she continues. “I understand. And it’s fine.”
My lips curl into a smile even though my chest feels hollow. It’s cute, the way most people try to lie. Like they’re throwing something on the ground and daring you to pick it up.
“Right,” I say.
So much for the Golden Rose. I wonder why she’s trying so hard to convince me of something that’s so clearly not the case. I turn back to the bathing chamber, but she clears her throat. I hesitate, one foot still in the bedroom.
“Um,” she begins.
I turn around. My wife is staring at her feet, and her arms are wrapped around her chest so tightly she looks like she’s trying to hold herself together.
“Yes?” I ask.
Her eyes dart up, then drop back to the floor.
“Do you happen to know where it is we’re going?” she asks.
“Going?”
I frown as her question sinks in. We’re appearing at the Planting Festival today, of course. That explains at least one of the new outfits.
But the rest of them? Is Malrik sending me somewhere? Or, gods above, is he sending both of us somewhere?
“Acelina said something about a tour,” Lilias continues. Her eyes reach mine, wide and soft. “She said it’s supposed to be a surprise.”
“Shit,” I hiss as I run my fingers through my hair. “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
Her shoulders rise and fall, a little wave of disappointment. Exhaustion gnaws at the marrow of my bones. A godsdamned tour? How did Malrik hide this from me? What else is he hiding from me?
“I hate surprises,” I mutter.
“Me too,” Lilias says.
Our eyes meet, and she smiles at me. I step back, pulling the bathing chamber door closed before I can ruin any more of my wife’s night.