52. New Plan
SOUNDTRACK: I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace
~ VOSKI ~
“There you are.”
I turned from the horse I’d been brushing to face my furious mother, wondering if my breathing had slowed enough that she wouldn’t notice.
I’d only barely made it back. She was usually a late riser when she had a comfortable bed.
I’d assumed we’d begin travel after the breakfast meal.
But first I’d dragged my feet getting out of the castle to Kham, because it was so hard to lose that link to Grace, even when she was asleep.
Then, it was lighter than we would have liked for his landing, so he had to land a mile further from the estate house to be certain no one would see us.
I’d run the whole way, which wouldn’t usually be a problem. But after days of travel and a full night without sleep, my body dragged.
I’d made it into the stable just minutes before, and chosen not to return to the house for this specific reason: The carriages and horses were already being prepared. Which meant she was already up, and would have expected to see me by now.
My only hope was to be out here, and let myself be discovered.
I’d expected her to be annoyed. I hadn’t expected the flash of relief in her gaze when I turned. “Worried about me?” I taunted.
“Where have you been?”
I looked around the stable, then widened my eyes at her. “Isn’t it obvious?”
She was unimpressed. “Your bed wasn’t slept in. We were supposed to speak last night.”
“I was busy.” I turned back to brushing the horse with a wicked grin. “I found a noblewoman in need of masculine reassurance. It was delightful.”
I kept brushing the horse, praying she wouldn’t press. I was a very good liar, but she’d known me since birth, and I was very tired. If there were any circumstances under which I’d fail to deceive, these were ripe for it.
I didn’t react when it took her some time to respond. She was adept at leaving uncomfortable silences. And besides, I’d had the last word.
“Well, perhaps it’s for the best,” she said airily a moment later.
“I was weary last night as well. Still, I needed to warn you to bring your common clothes. No one is aware my son has returned. Yet.” She bit the word off, smiling to show her teeth.
“If you hadn’t been stupid enough to show your face to Breckon, we might have gotten away with simply letting the court fuss over you.
But he, of all of them, must not know that you’re present. ”
I hadn’t planned to parade myself in front of the man, but it was easy to hide in plain sight in a busy ballroom, for example.
And I didn’t trust my mother. This hadn’t been discussed earlier.
If she waited until now, it was because she wanted me committed before she placed a barrier in my way. Which meant, she was up to something.
I looked aside to ensure all the stablehands and footmen were busy with other tasks, then leaned over her, letting her see the anger and mistrust in my eyes.
“I am fully capable of staying out of Breckon’s eyeline, whether I’m dressed commonly or not.
He will not be looking for me in these circles. ”
“There will be no or not, Vane. You must remain invisible to all until we have removed him. I cannot risk you being uncovered. Not until he’s removed.”
My jaw clenched. “More evidence that perhaps you aren’t as in control of these circumstances as I believed—”
“Oh pish. You and I both know I have far greater sway in these circles than you—it’s why you came to me.”
“If you’re so certain, why not mention this when you outlined your plan?”
“Because I didn’t want to spend the week arguing,” she said, waving me off with one elegant hand.
“If you’d met with me last night, we could have discussed it.
But we both know you’ll have more freedom on the grounds as a servant, and are far less likely to be noticed by anyone of import.
It only stops you interacting with Grace in public. ”
“And I’ll also, conveniently, have far less influence and be far more reliant on you.”
She huffed. “If you believe you hold any sway in these circles without acknowledging your birthright, you are far more na?ve than I thought.”
I frowned. “You underestimate my ability to—”
“Vane, please. You know I’m right. You simply aren’t accustomed to taking wisdom from your elders anymore. Pity. You used to be so good at it.”
I bristled, but she continued, her jaw set.
“Stop glowering. I am only attending this mess at your request. I will do as you’ve asked and intervene, but a modicum of gratitude would be appropriate.
Even apart from the travel—which I rarely undertake these days—this entire venture is a political snare.
I risk my own standing, and in a kingdom where I do not possess the citizenship of power.
If Burk decides he’s annoyed enough to put me in the dungeons, Diaan won’t rush to save me.
The least you could do is give me the best chance of success in my efforts on your behalf.
Keep your head down, and let me do what I do best! ”
“Oh, I will, Mother,” I murmured. “Which is precisely why this little tantrum is unnecessary. You and I both know this entire venture is your favorite web to weave.”
She folded her arms, looking surprisingly petulant. “Mock me if you will, but I am not the one who came seeking help.”
I huffed, a rush of resentment and fear that had started in my childhood, and morphed into very adult self-loathing, clawing its way up my back.
I kept my teeth closed, fighting the urge to remind her of all the ways she’d promised to help, and instead destroyed me.
But it would only satisfy her. This was what she did.
She poked, and questioned, and tested, until she found the thing that would touch my most tender places.
Arguing with her only confirmed her suspicions.
So, instead of snapping my teeth at her, I showed them in a smile. “And I thank you for your mercy. Truly, Mother,” I hissed sarcastically.
No matter how bold, or indifferent, or pissed off I appeared to her, the truth was, I was wary.
She hadn’t mentioned this in her plan, and even though she was absolutely correct—I would have hidden among them as a servant most of the time even if she wasn’t here—I didn’t know if it was her attempt to keep me out of the way, or merely another of the power-plays she conjured like breathing.
Either way, it was too late to argue—which was precisely why she had waited. She knew I wouldn’t abandon the mission when we were so close. It was just so fucking frustrating that she always found a way to knock me off my line.
I did my best not to let her see it. Continued glaring, but didn’t back down. Didn’t stop looming over her.
Unconcerned, she patted my face, like a mother to a cherished son. “These times you remind me of your father are the most precious moments to have back, Vane.”
I caught her wrist in a move that startled her because she didn’t see it coming, and smiled. “I told you I tire of hearing about him. Careful, or I may decide that you two deserve similar fates,” I said through my teeth.
She rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss that her weight swayed back and she was the one to step away. “You’re tense. Gather your things. You’ll feel better when we’ve found your girl.”
“It’s the baby—”
“Vane, I am a woman. I know the look of love in a man’s eyes,” she offered casually, sending a jolt of fear through me.
“Oh, don’t worry, son. It touches me to know that your heart still bleeds.
So, let’s cease the games, shall we? I’ll get you to the castle.
You find your girl, promise your love, steal her heart back—whatever it is that you have decided you need to do.
Only, you do so in the dark, in the shadows.
You let me do the work in plain sight. Between us, we will get her out. ”
“We have to get her out now,” I insisted. “Before he learns that she’s pregnant.”
“I heard you the first time,” she said tightly. “And we have a plan. Now, trust me.”
I managed not to shake my head in disbelief until she turned away. But it was close.