Chapter 73
I took the rag and the bucket, wiping sweat from my forehead
This wasn’t my first time doing such work, but it was the first time in a long while, and in such a long and heavy dress. The skirts dragged on the stone floors, gathering dust and water, making it harder to move. I grimaced, wringing the dirty cloth and slapping it down again against the floor tiles.
Around me, the bustling noise of the palace echoed–heels clicking, voices murmuring, laughter behind raised hands. I kept my head down, focused on scrubbing, refusing to look at anyone.
Because looking meant seeing. And seeing meant feeling.
And today, I didn’t want to feel anything. Especially not anger.
Because if I did.
I clenched my jaw, squeezing the rag so tightly water dripped through my gloves
I was pissed
Pissed at Alaric for making me a damn maid while Amira–Amira of all people–got to prance around, head held high as some high- class assistant. Spending her days with the court officials. Getting praised for her manners. For her grace. Being treated like a precious past lady who had fallen on hard times.
While I her supposed handmaiden, was left scrubbing floors and fetching water.
Why me?
Why not the other way around? So I could treat her like the worthless snake she was?
I bat the in
Fine
inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood.
Let her have her little court act. Let her play the lady while I played the servant. It wouldn’t last forever.
I shoved the thought aside and picked up the bucket, ready to leave. I was already halfway through the corridor when the soft hiss of voices made me pause.
I didn’t mean to listen.
Truly
But the words filtered into my ears anyway.
the king’s parents are furious.”
pressuring him for a wife. It’s embarrassing, they say. No heir, no queen-
Theard they’re bringing in women.
“Duzens of them. Proper noblewomen. Daughters of dukes and lords from neighboring territories. All desperate to marry him.”
“And you think he’ll pick one?” a third voice scoffed. “Have you seen him? Harden would rather slit his wrists than be shackled to some
Soft laughter followed
fought the urge to snort myself.
- Harden.
The miglay rebel ki
Check eventiden n came to marriage.
Chapter 73
I shook, my head, amused despite myself. Imagine being so stubborn you’d rather start a war than plan a wedding.
Well, he
e has to pick someone, the first voice insisted. “The people are restless. They want an heir. A future. A queen.”
“If he doesn’t,” another voice whispered, “someone might pick for him.”
1 frowned slightly at that but forced myself to keep moving, my boots squelching softly against the damp stone floors. I didn’t want to get caught eavesdropping, even accidentally.
I was halfway to the maid’s corridor when I felt a sharp tap on my shoulder.
I stiffened immediately, slowly turning around.
woman
stood there.
She was tall, nearly as tall as most of the guards, her frame slim but strong under the dark gray uniform of the head servants. Her face was severe, sharp cheekbones, pale skin, and deep–set gray eyes that seemed to strip me down to my bones with one glance. Her hair was twisted into a tight, no–nonsense bun at the back of her head, and a thin scar traced along her jawline, disappearing into her collar
Lovely
Just what I needed.
Another watchdog.
“Name,” she said, voice clipped, her accent strange–almost Northern but with a harsh twist to it
“Elena.” I replied smoothly, bowing my head slightly. “Palace maid, recently assigned.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I know who you are.”
I said nothing
Her gaze raked me over once, quick and assessing. “You’re the one traveling with the lady from Sheridan.”
I inclined my head again. “Yes, ma’am”
She didn’t look impressed.
She crossed her arms, cane tapping once against the stone floor. “You are to report to the laundry house tomorrow at first light. No arguments. No delays.”
“Understood, I said quickly.
if you last longer than the last one.
Her mouth twisted, as if amused by my easy compliance. “We’ll see if you
The last one!
I frowned, but she was already turning away, her boots clicking sharply against the stones as she strode off without a second glance.
Texhaled slowly, flexing my fingers.
Laundry duty
Wonderful
Could ilms mission get any better?
Belund me the nobles laughter still echoed faintly through the halls
I was elbow–derje
5:00 PM
Chapter 73
I tightened my jaws, pushing the thought away. For now, survival was enough Tomorrow would be another fight entirely.
I dragged myself back to the cramped maid quarters, my body aching, my dress clinging to my skin with sweat and grime. I didn’t even hesitate—just grabbed a fresh shift from the small wooden chest by my cot and headed to the washroom tucked behind the kitchens,
The water was cold, sharp enough to joli me awake.
But I welcomed it.
I scrubbed my skin raw, trying to wash off the feeling of all the gazes, the whispered words, the mocking glances. I wasn’t here to play court games. I wasn’t here to pretend to be an invisible maid.
I was here to spy-
To find out what Amira was up
- 10.
To figure out what Harden Fernandez–the so–called rebel king–was really planning.
pulled on a simple, clea
clean dress after drying off–dark blue, plain enough to blend in, but still fitted enough that I didn’t look like I was wearing a sack. I pinned my hair up and grabbed the brown cloak issued to the lower servants.
If I was going to survive here, I needed information.
And fast
I slipped out of the servants‘ wing, moving quickly down the empty corridor, my boots whispering against the stone. The nobles were still at their feast. Most of the guards were stationed outside the main halls.
Which meant the inner courtyard–the nobles‘ private garden–was probably empty right now.
Perfect,
I slipped through a side door and found myself in the open air. The moon was high overhead, the sky a deep navy the edges of the courtyard, thick and lush, and the cobbled paths gleamed in the silver light
I moved along the wall, keeping to the shadows.
And then I heard it–low voices drifting from the gazebo near the center of the courtyard.
I crept closer, careful not to make a sound.
ཨང་དང་ག་
can’t delay it anymore,” one voice said–sharp, impatient. A woman’s vo
VOICE.
“I don’t trust the king’s choice,” another voice said. A man. Older. Rougher.
blue. Flowers lined
“He won’t choose,” a third voice added, laughing darkly. “That’s why his parents are taking matters into their own hands. Invitations have already been sent”
“Every noble house still loyal to the old bloodlines. They want a queen before the next full moon.”
My chest lightened.
Another full m
Another ticking clock.
And if they succeeded in marrying Harden off +
di would unite the rebel factions in ways the Northern packs had feared for years No cracks. No weakness. No more chance for Sheridan
Alark–to stand against lam
Chapter 73
This wasn’t just about Harden’s personal life.
This was abend war
About alliances.
About a future where Sheridan wouldn’t survive
1 stepped back carefully, my heart pounding..
1 needed to get this information to Alaric. Somehow,
I turned, ready to slip back toward the corridor-
And slammed right into a solid chest.
I gasped, stumbling back.
A hand shot out, steadying me.
You really should be more careful, little bird,” a voice drawled, rich and dangerous.
I looked up.
Straight into Harden’s amber eyes.
He was close ?
Too close.
Up close, he looked even more imposing than at the court. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, his black coat open to reveal the deep crimson tunic underneath, buttons undone at the top, exposing a sliver of tanned skin. He smelled faintly of leather, smoke, and something darker. Wilder
A slow, amused smile curved his mouth as he studied me.
“Curious bird,” he murmured, his voice almost a purr. “What were you listening to?”
I swallowed, heart hammering.
1-1
He tilted his head slightly: “No?”
He was too close.
I could feel the beat of him, the raw, untamed energy coiling beneath his skin.
“You know,” he said softly, almost kindly, “the penalty for eavesdropping in my court is rather…unpleasant.”
My stomach twisted.
Horced my chin up, trying to steady my voice. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I was just walking”
“And you just happened to trip into the most sensitive conversation happening tonight?”
I grined my teeth. “I got lost
Ho smule derpened, and gods help me, it wasn’t even cruel
hed out, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. His hugers barely touched my skin, but it sent a shiver down my spine
cky for you” he murmured. Tlike lost little birds”
held my ground, even though every part of nu screamed to run
Chapter 73
Tell me. El
ena” he said, stepping closer still. “Do you sing, too?”
I blinked, confused
He chuckled lowly. “Never mind”
He stepped back finally, the heat of him retreating.
This next time,” he added, his voice sharper now, “be careful where you wander.”
AD
