Page 70 of Ocean of Silver

“That’s why you leave some things the same, like your eyes?”

He nodded. “The less I have to change, the less of my power it uses.”

“And your voice?”

“Unfortunately, that doesn’t change. I can only alter my looks, and let me tell you, trying to talk like a girl this past month has beenhard.”

“How did you do it? How has no one noticed that you aren’t Luxian?”

“To be honest, I’m surprised I’ve been able to get away with it. I swore a couple of times that Tezya noticed. I thought I was going to get caught by him, but then nothing happened. I got the feeling he let me go, which I know sounds ridiculous.”

“Probably not knowing your way around the castle was a dead giveaway,” I teased. I didn’t want to offer up my opinions on Tezya… That maybe if he knew about Peter, he would keep it. That he wasn’t on the Lux King’s side.

“This castle is a freaking maze,” he groaned, “and you aren’t much better than me.”

“For real though, how did you become my maid? Is there really a maid named Patricia, or do they just not keep track of the servants here?”

“Umm, yeah. It’s a little of both.”

“What does that mean?” I asked. I had a bad feeling about what he did. “Where’s the real Patricia?”

“She’s fine and extremely cranky for an old lady. Seriously, you two would not have gotten along. I did you a favor.”

“Peter, what did you do?”

“I just told her that she has some time off, just kind of permanently… that’s all.”

“Peter—”

“All I said was that the Lux King doesn’t want someone so haggard working for him anymore and instructed her to never be seen near the castle again, or she’d regret it.”

“How did you pull that off?”

“I kinda shapeshifted into the King and told her that myself.”

My mouth dropped open. “What if you got caught?”

“I didn’t, and she’s fine. She’s enjoying just being with her family and not working here.” I gave him a look that said I didn’t believe him. “What? I’m telling the truth. I checked on her just the other day.”

“And no one suspects anything? Everyone believes that you’re really Patricia?”

“Well, like I said, the old lady is a complete bitch. I made sure to do my research before I picked her. All the other servants hate her because she’s crabby.”

“And how did she becomemymaid?”

“Well, that was the easy part. No one else wanted to be your maid. You’re kinda like the walking dark cloud of death because you’re tainted with the Dark Kingdom and all.”

“Poor you.” I shoved his arm. “And thanks for that. That really helps with my confidence.”

Peter laughed, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I should get going,” he said, his smile diminishing. “I won’t be able to stay in Lux much longer, and I need to use all my free time to try and snoop.”

“Thank you, Peter.”

“For what?”

“For never leaving me.”

He smiled. “Always, Scottie. I’ll warn Sie before the meeting. I’ll tell him what the Lux King’s plans are and make sure he doesn’t react to seeing you with the Fire Prince. If he isn’t bothered by you guys together, their plan won’t work. Just make sure you stay away from him during the meeting.”

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