Chapter 13 #2
And then he had to ruin the moment with his usual teasing.
For all my annoyance, I felt the corners of my lips twitching, as if tempted to lift.
His eyes bulged in surprise before his own smile caressed his face—not his usual taunting smirk, but one much softer, stirring something within me that I was afraid to examine.
“Finally my wit earns a smile.”
“I’m not smiling.” The retort escaped before I could check it. The guards slowed to stare at me with mixtures of bewilderment and concern.
Captain Tomas awkwardly cleared his throat. “Are you well, Princess Mirelle?”
I forced a strained grimace. “Forgive me.” I offered no further explanation, but thankfully he didn’t seek one; being perceived as a delicate royal had its uses.
The warmth of Evander’s breath caressed my ear as he suddenly leaned closer, a sensation that made him seem tangible despite no one else being able to see him. “Mirelle? I knew your name wasn’t Sable. Your real one suits you far more.” I could almost hear his grin.
My heart gave a foreign flutter at the compliment, the second treacherous reaction of the exchange. I couldn’t afford another. “I’m the farthest person from royal, so you should doubt any address associated with a title that isn’t mine.”
I kept my voice a low murmur, but it still drew Garrett’s confused sidelong glance and furrowed brow. He scooted a few inches closer, tightening the inescapable noose.
“You’re quite well protected,” Evander observed. “It’ll be tricky trying to get away. Should I create a distraction?”
“Now you’re willing to be helpful, unlike the first time.” I murmured. “How would that work if they can’t see you?”
“Invisibility doesn’t erase the force of my natural charm.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’d be a lot more useful if you focused on tactics rather than your inflated ego.” Once again my whispers were drawing too many looks, so I said nothing more for the remainder of my guards’ escort back to my chambers.
The moment I was inside, I was subject to the fussy administrations of my waiting attendants, who insisted on dressing me for the day. I cast a panicked look in Evander’s smirking direction. “No thank you, I’m quite capable of changing myself.”
The servants looked scandalized at the very idea, and ignored my continued insistences to leave the room; apparently propriety eclipsed any royal protest. I couldn’t very well explain to the attendants that the reason for my aversion to changing was because an invisible man currently occupied my chambers.
Being a supposed royal felt entirely useless if I couldn’t use the title to get my way.
With a sigh of defeat, I tried to signal him with a pointed glare and subtle pantomime to turn away, and that if he stole a peek I would do all within my power to ensure he regretted it.
I expected him to protest, but he merely winked and strutted to the farthest end of the room.
Even with the distance and his back honorably facing me, it wasn’t far enough away; I was aware of him throughout the entire agonizingly slow process of being changed into a simple gown of violet silk like I was a helpless doll.
Once dressed, the attendants immediately summoned the healer, who stirred up a fuss that I’d been wandering outside of bed and practically pushed me onto the mattress, heedless of my protests.
Evander watched the drama unfold from his place against the opposite wall, seeming to find great amusement in my torture as I was fawned over and subjected to several cups of a strong, herbal tea that made me cough before the healer was finally satisfied.
After an admonition not to get out of bed for any reason until I was fully rested, she departed, the door locking behind her with a resonating click.
I heard the captain calling an order about doubling the guard outside; hopefully this didn’t mean patrols would be increased in other places the tunnel might lead.
Once more I found myself enclosed within my bedroom…
only this time, Evander was with me. I eyed him uneasily from my pillowed perch.
Being locked in was bad enough, but being trapped with an aggravating stranger whom I’d been warned not to trust was quite another.
His difficult to resist charm only made the situation feel far more dangerous than even my riskiest heists.
For a moment we stared in silence, sizing one another up, before I made my escape from my silk sheets.
Evander chuckled. “You’re disobedient even to orders given in your best interest,” he said lightly, but his jovial matter quickly turned grave when I swayed slightly from the hasty movement. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Worry without even the slightest hint of teasing seemed suspicious when coming from him. I eyed him warily. “I’m fine.” But my legs trembled, forcing me to cling to the bedpost for support.
“Appearing on the brink of a faint is the new form of etiquette. Duly noted.”
I gritted my teeth. It was bad enough having to deal with a meddlesome curse without his unhelpful commentary, even as the return to this consistency of his character distracted me from my frustration.
Despite his snarky comment, his gaze didn’t waver as I took a shaky step, then another. He frowned. “I heard the guards mention something about a sleeping curse. That would explain why you fell asleep so suddenly before we could solidify our deal.”
If he overheard my conversation with the guards, that meant he’d been watching me long before I’d noticed him.
I wasn’t sure whether I should be annoyed or flattered.
Aggravatingly, the latter won. The subtle shift in the mood made me fully aware of his presence.
Of all the times for him to be visible to me, it was rather awkward having it occur while alone together in my room.
He noticed my sudden tension and a sly, crooked grin curved the corner of his mouth.
“For someone who gave me a hard time about disappearing at inopportune moments, it’s strange that you appear to not want me with you now.
Does the thief possess some decorum after all?
” For all his bravado, his voice trembled slightly, as if he too was nervous about the arrangement. Finally a sign of weakness in my enemy.
“I’ve always been an honorable thief, unlike the man present who is anything but a gentleman.” I tried to form the words requesting he depart, but despite how much his presence challenged me, surprisingly I didn’t want him to leave.
“As entertaining as it is being a feisty woman’s fellow inmate, I couldn’t leave even if I wanted.” To demonstrate, he pressed his hand to the door and pushed; whatever apparition he was, he appeared too tangible to pass through solid objects.
A wave of relief that had no place during such a moment washed over me, the hidden part of me who couldn’t go back to being alone in this prison with only the curse to keep me company.
For someone who had led a solitary existence throughout my thieving days, it was surprising how reluctant I was to relinquish companionship now that I had it in my possession, the one thing I couldn’t steal on my own.
The feeling terrified me. I blamed this confusing tumult after I tried taking a few shaky steps and nearly stumbled.
Evander lurched forward, as if he meant to catch me, but his hands had barely grazed me when I righted myself, his touch leaving a tingly warmth in their wake.
Even after I’d regained my balance, he lingered by my side, his nearness both comforting and slightly unsettling.
“I almost preferred you when you weren’t such a gentleman.” But I wasn’t sure I really meant it.
I expected one of his usual quips, but he continued staring at me with a concern that almost felt out of place. The soft look seemed to narrow the confined space, bringing him closer, until he appeared to be the only thing in the room—the most priceless object worth stealing.
I gave my head a rigid shake in an effort to dispel the ridiculous notion. Escaping was a much more productive focus for my wayward attention.
Once I was sure of my footing and convinced I wouldn’t make a further fool of myself, I strolled purposefully towards the tapestry concealing the narrow passage I’d utilized the first time I’d snuck out of my room.
However, when I drew aside the fabric, I was met only with a blank wall—not blocked like I feared the guards would do to prevent my leaving, but entirely missing.
I stared, my mind failing to immediately register what I was seeing. My stomach lurched. “It’s gone!” I frantically ran my hands over the smooth stone, standing on tiptoe to reach the seam where the latch had been previously hidden. But the passage had disappeared, keeping me entirely trapped.
Evander stepped up beside me, appearing almost smug as he gazed at where the passage had previously resided. “Disappearing portraits, and now vanishing passageways. The plot thickens.” He sounded far too casual to be ignorant of the reason. I wasn’t sure how, but I meant to find out.
I spun on him. “Where’s the secret passage? You know something, I’m certain of it.”
His mischievous look returned. “Ah, so the thief does want to enter a partnership with me now that I have something useful to barter with. If you’re seeking this information, does this mean that you’ve agreed to my bargain?”
I hesitated, feeling torn in multiple directions.
Though I hated to admit it, the fact of the matter was that the mysteries had grown beyond my capacity to handle on my own; if I hoped to continue navigating this labyrinth of riddles, I would need a guide.
For all his irritations, Evander appeared to hold several of the answers I desperately sought.