Chapter 31 Audryn
AUDRYN
An abundance of staff roamed the castle, though the number of guards was even more astounding.
Getting to the royal corridors was one thing, but making my way to the king’s bedroom was entirely different.
I kept my eyes peeled for any sign of a ruby throughout the day, but by the time evening arrived, I’d given up on finding clues and took action.
I pushed open the door to the bustling kitchen. Not one person stopped to see who’d entered and merely went along with their business of chopping, washing dishes, or stirring food. I scanned the area and landed on the enormous hat across the room.
Draven’s eyes found mine, and he made his way to me. “Was there something you needed? Something to eat? Drink?”
I’d stopped on my way to the royal quarters, not knowing if I’d get the opportunity to see him again.
But suddenly all the words I’d planned to tell him seemed to fall short.
He’d been so kind. He had taken time to get to know me during each of my visits to the kitchen.
Thanking him wouldn’t be enough, but it was all I had to offer.
“Did you want to change the flavor for your cake?” Draven’s voice lowered. “Or perhaps there was something else you wished to speak of.”
My throat had become scratchy. “Could I have a glass of juice, if possible?”
His face dropped, and he moved to pour me a cup. “I never thanked you for what you did for me and my staff,” he started. “Especially after Mireal found the truth behind your illness.”
I hadn’t expected her to tell him about our conversation or even disclose that I’d been poisoned. “Is she your girlfriend?” I leaned against the counter and fiddled with a bowl of blueberries. “Not that you have to tell me. It’s your business, of course.”
“We’re friends.” He handed me the cup. “Friends that look out for each other. Even if they know the other might’ve done something wrong.
Pretty scarce to find someone like that around this place.
” He moved the bowl and ran fresh water over the fruit, setting it on the counter and out of my reach.
He guided me away. “But I need you to know that I had nothing to do with your food being tainted. I’m not sure who was responsible, but if I did, I’d take care of them myself. ”
Taking a drink from my cup, I considered his words.
I’d felt alone since my mother died—felt abandoned from not only her decision, but my brother’s too.
Yet I’d not considered those who’d risked themselves for me.
Benton and Orion used their magic to repair my garden, despite the risk of execution if caught.
Jaspar stole Roark’s uniform just for the chance to speak with me.
Col, Amalee, and Sky hadn’t had to risk themselves for me, but each of them chose to.
And Draven would have held someone accountable, yet he hadn’t known me for long.
“I never suspected you or your staff had anything to do with that night. It was Maris.” I pressed my mouth into a tight line. “Anyway, I came to thank you for being kind to me while I was here. You didn’t need to, but you were.”
He shrugged and wrapped me in a hug. “Friends show up.” He pulled back and looked at me. “Keep your chin up, things will work out. Even if you don’t like my cake.” He let out a chuckle, turned, and began smashing the blueberries.
Holding my head high, I strode through the corridors, finding my way to the hall leading to the royal quarters. Perhaps if I believed that I belonged, the watchful eyes would believe it too and allow me to pass.
The regular guard I’d seen day-after-day was gone, but the red-haired female from long ago stood against the wall, surely fighting off boredom.
“Guard Asher,” I purred, and hoped she’d remember me from the ball rather than the streets. “So nice to see you, it’s been a while.”
She hesitated, straightened her back, and eyed me curiously. I wasn’t sure if she recognized me as Ryder’s betrothed or otherwise.
“Prince Sutton is expecting me.” I moved to walk forward, but she stepped away from the wall and blocked my path.
“He’s still in the meeting.”
“Oh, I know that. He told me to wait for him in his rooms.” I forced a wink.
A slight sneer crossed her face. “You and Maris both? At the same time?”
Jealousy twinged through me. I hadn’t expected him to be so blatant with his extracurricular activities, regardless of how bad things were between us. I definitely didn’t think he’d flaunt her around for all to see.
I adjusted my shirt. “Men. One’s never enough.” I gave her a tight smile before stepping forward again.
The guard gave me one final look and then sidestepped, allowing me to pass. “I guess.” Her tone was low and sarcastic behind me.
My body trembled with nervous energy; I hadn’t expected to get through so easily. For a moment, guilt poured over me, realizing the guard could be executed for her mistake. But she likely sent many to their deaths with no guilt of her own. I forced the feeling down and continued on.
I recalled the route to Ryder’s room and tried to remember where it was in relation to the directions Jaspar had given me at the ball.
He’d only given me the list of turns a couple of months ago, but it suddenly felt like a lifetime had passed.
So much had changed, though my goals remained the same.
I took the first left, walking away from the direction of Ryder’s room. Nearly smacking straight into Maris, I stopped in my tracks. She blushed, likely from embarrassment at being caught in the royal quarters of my future husband.
“What are you doing here?” Maris shifted on her feet and, with shaky hands, pushed against her skirts.
“I’m going to visit my betrothed.” I lifted my chin and raised an eyebrow. “Shall I assume you’re doing the same?”
She cleared her throat, but didn’t answer.
“Look, I know you’re having sex with him, and I don’t care.” I rolled my eyes. “The more you fuck him, the less I have to.” There was no reason to continue the ruse of fighting for his hand; I didn’t want it, and with any luck, I would be gone soon enough.
“Why are you really here then?” Her brow creased.
A minute passed as we stood and eyed each other suspiciously, neither of us giving ourselves away.
“I’m going to be the queen. I don’t owe my husband’s whore an explanation,” I spat.
I’d expected her to let my words roll off, but she looked injured by them. In such a short time away, she’d become less of the feisty woman I’d known most of my life. She'd grown sensitive, unwilling to verbally spar with me.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—” I started.
“This is interesting,” Ryder’s voice interrupted me from behind. “Now how did this little meeting come about?”
My stomach tilted, and I didn’t dare turn to face him. As if things couldn’t get worse, I found shining gold handles beckoning me to them just down the corridor. I was so close to my destination, yet I’d fallen short once again.
Maris plastered a smile across her face, and her words flowed. “We were planning a surprise for you.” She walked past me, and I turned to watch as she rubbed her hand over Ryder’s chest and down toward the waistband of his pants.
His eyes darted between the two of us, but he said nothing.
“We were hoping you’d spend the evening with both of us.
” Her words were syrupy. “You’ve been busy all day with the royals, and we needed attention too.
” She stepped forward and traced a finger down his bare chest where two undone buttons had left him exposed.
“Plus, we wanted to make sure you went to bed happy.”
“That certainly is a surprise.” He looked at me and raised a brow. “Am I to believe you’ve agreed to this?”
“Oh, she planned it,” Maris interjected, and I winced at her words. “An early wedding gift for our future king.”
“Is that true?” Ryder kept his eyes on me for confirmation.
The woman’s suggestion was preposterous. As if I’d want to share a bed with two of the people I hated the most. But, if playing the charade kept me alive until I had a chance to kill the king, I’d do what was needed.
I shrugged. “Is it all that shocking? Don’t you believe you deserve it?”
“Come here.” Ryder gestured to me. “I want to feel you both against me.”
Maris moved his hand to her skirt and pressed his fingers against her.
She’d turned into a temptress I didn’t recognize, abandoning all decorum, even as castle staff roamed the halls around us.
Leaning into him, she moved her mouth to his neck and started drifting her tongue over his skin.
He stood expectantly, so I moved to his other side, allowing his hand to trail over me.
“Kiss me,” he demanded, with Maris still at his side. “Show me who you belong to.” He moved my hand to the front of his pants and then guided Maris’s to join. “There’s plenty here for you both.”
I nearly laughed, but I leaned in and pressed my closed lips to his mouth. His hand worked up my body to the nape of my neck. Grabbing hold of my hair, he pulled my head back. My lips parted in a gasp, leaving him the perfect opportunity for his tongue to take advantage of my pain.
He pulled away slightly and breathed, “You’re mine.”
I pushed back the emotions running through me as Col’s words echoed in my mind. You belong to nobody. I’d pretend to enjoy Ryder’s touch in order to stay safe, but I did not belong to him. And the prince would know that soon enough.