Chapter 12. Punishable by Death.
Isprinted up the stairs; my lungs screamed from the lack of air as I barged into Francis’ room without knocking.
“I need to find my mother.” My voice turned breathless.
“Are you all right?” Francis caught me by my forearms when I stumbled into the candelabra on the floor.
Why in the Kingdom did he have a candelabra on the floor?
“We need to find my mother.” I shoved Caleb’s present into his hands.
“Cordelia... she is—” His brows furrowed when he looked at me as though I had lost my mind. The crimson still stained his neck.
“I know she is dead.” I rolled my eyes. “We need to find where they buried her. Her ring is the key to the vault.”
“The vault?” The crease between Francis’ eyebrows deepened.
“Caleb believes the archives for Royal steel are in there.” I sat on Francis’ unmade bed, still catching my breath.
“You spoke to Caleb?” The muscle on his jaw twitched when he glanced at the box.
“We are wasting time, Francis,” I groaned.
“I will find her grave, I promise.” He nodded, setting the box on the table with his other trinkets. “Do you have any idea where they could’ve buried her?”
“I am going with you.” I rushed to my feet.
“I don’t think that’s wise—”
“I am going with you.”
Francis’ lips turned into a thin line. “We will leave the moment the sun sets.”
“No, we leave now,” I protested. “If Kane finds it before us, we are doomed.”
“The sun is to rise in a few hours.” Francis shook his head. “We won’t make it on time.”
“We can’t wait—”
His hands fell on my cheeks, gentle thumbs caressing my skin. “We will find the key first, I swear.”
I sighed at his touch. “The moment the sun sets.”
Sleep didn’t find me no matter my fatigue. Silver lay atop my chest as I watched the small opening in the curtains turn darker—the sun was about to set.
My heart fought for its way out with every breath I took; my restless mind spun in a storm. I couldn’t face her lifeless eyes, not after what I’d done.
Silver stretched across my chest, deep in his slumber. I allowed myself a small smile at his unbothered muzzle before moving him onto the bed.
“Sorry, friend, I have to go,” I whispered when Silver meowed, complaining about the disturbance to his sleep.
The trousers sat comfortably on my body, the warm fabric felt nice to the touch. Mother would be furious were she to see my attire. Such an insult to our family, she would say. I contemplated changing, but the growing storm outside made the choice for me.
The walls buzzed with the storm’s whispers as I made my way up the stairs to Francis’ room. To my surprise, the room was vacant once I walked in after several failed attempts at knocking.
Did he leave without me? My heart galloped. Panic spread through my veins at the thought.
I turned to leave when my eyes caught a piece of parchment resting on his bedside table.
Cordelia. It read, when my hands reached for the letter.
Oh no. No, no, no. How could he leave without me?
“Snooping around, are we?” His voice came from behind me, making me jump. Francis walked into the room, his eyes planted on the parchment in my hands. His brows flew up. “Were you never told theft is punishable by death?”
“Sorry.” The heat went up my cheeks as I dropped the letter back onto his table. “I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“So I see.” He grabbed the cloak off the chair, fitting it around his shoulders.
“I thought you left without me.”
“As sweet as the thought is, I wouldn’t break my promise like that.” He showed me out of his room. “Come, we must be on our way if we are to make it on time.”
“Of course,” I mumbled, averting my gaze as I followed him down the stairs: away from his room, away from the letter he wrote to me.