Page 106 of Of Glass and of Gold

I nodded, though I didn’t agree.

“Say, how do you have an in with the prince, anyway?”

I brought up my hand, resting the back of it under my chin. “This pretty face can get away with anything.” I batted my lashes.

He chuckled, placing his hands on my shoulders to face me down the alley. “Go home, Nora.”

“Thanks again, Alejo.” I smiled at the baker who smiled back.

The animosity in that room clung to my skin for a couple village blocks, but eventually it waned. I took note of the obvious decrease in beggars out for the evening, remembering that Nicholas had corrected the siphoned funds and the people were getting help. I smiled, thinking about how much more we could accomplish together.

The salty sea air whooshed through the buildings, brushing against my cheek. For a moment, I pictured it was a communication from my father, letting me know he saw what I was doing and was proud.

Things would change around here. For the better.

52

Nicholas

Marco stood behind me, presenting a unified front. Ricks and Sebastian had been summoned, and they entered the war room decorated with years of maps and strategies.

“Prince Marco, I see you’ve had men arrive. Funny, I found no reports of guards from Duski entering?” Commander Druller eyed him up and down, another standoff.

“Perhaps you’re not as good at your job as you might have thought, Commander,” Marco retorted with a light casualness I knew would send Seb’s blood boiling.

I cleared my throat, a targeted sound for Marco.

My cousin inhaled deeply. “What I mean to say, Commander, is that it was my intention to keep my men’s presence hidden. Prince Nicholas is already aware of the situation.”

A muscle flickered in Sebastian’s jaw as he tossed a questioning stare my way.

“That is correct. However, that is not why I have brought you both here today.”

“How can we be of service, Your Highness?” Ricks asked.

His attitude had lifted greatly after I’d told him I had made a decision on which woman from the dinner would be selected. Though, I failed to inform him of who—a calculated move on my part. He hadn’t loved being kept in the dark, but was appeased enough that I had reached a decision.

“As you are both aware, the kingdom has suffered great losses in recent months regarding missing persons. I have seen to it personally to investigate matters, and have uncovered connections within the castle itself. Weapons from the armory have been steadily stolen, placed upon unpermitted ships in the harbor.

“I’ve narrowed down the list of possible assailants. Marco has acquired first-hand accounts from his men corroborating this information, and I have come to the conclusion that the men on this list are to be immediately apprehended and placed in the dungeons. Interrogations will be overseen as we pry for information. As of now, these men are enemies to the Crown, and will be treated as such.” I slid the paper with a list of a dozen names across my desk.

Ricks adjusted his spectacles and grabbed the paper, scouring the document.

“Why haven’t you briefed me on this, Nick?” Seb asked, not bothering to hide the hurt in his tone.

Guilt swelled, lodging in my throat. My father had been a tyrant, executing decisions without consulting others. I’d sworn to not be that way, and Commander Druller and I had built our entire relationship upon mutual respect. I knew how much he cared for his men, and how much of a shock this revelation would be. Now, he would need to act as an enemy to his men without any hint of warning.

“Prince Nicholas,” Marco corrected, too pointedly to a man clearly hurt.

“Not necessary.” I waved a hand in dismissal. “Sebastian, I’m sorry for not involving you up until this point. I had suspicions of castle connections, which have unfortunately been confirmed. I needed to do this on my own.”

In the span of a couple breaths, we went through the conversation silently. He hated being left out of the loop. I hated keeping him out. He wished he could have offered me help. I regretted not trusting him. He accepted that this was what happened, and his shoulders slumped before Ricks had finished with the paper and he took it.

I saw the sorrow weigh on his features, taking in the names of men he worked alongside daily. “I’ll have them rounded up immediately.”

“My men don’t mind helping,” Marco interjected with an insistence that seemed out of place.

When Seb tore his eyes from the list, he leveled Marco with barely restrained rage. Then he looked at me. “With all due respect, Your Highness, my men don’t need to be witnessed going into custody by guards with no rank here. A pointless insult, and one that might call question to Highcrest leaders.” He returned his fiery gaze to Marco. “Why are you so insistent that your men oversee?” Two bulls pawing at the ground, winding up for the charge.

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