Page 53 of Of Glass and of Gold

“I have some questions for you, my dearest cousin,” he said with a wicked gleam in his eye while slinging his arm over my shoulders.

“I was just thinking the same.”

He guided me toward the dais, away from the other staff meandering about their duties. We were out of earshot from even the nearest guards when he positioned himself in front of me, dropping his voice into a cool whisper. “So, where were you last night?” He waggled his brows.

Tension spread across my back, drawing my shoulder blades closer together. I rolled my shoulders to dismiss it. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” He leaned in even closer, pure delight radiating from his smile. “Where were you last night? I came by your chambers to get an update on the luncheons, but you weren’t there. Your guards didn’t offer an answer when I questioned, either. Were you gracing a fair maiden’s bed chambers, Your Highness?”

He thought I’d taken his advice to blow off some steam and make the most of what remained of my bachelorhood. What a gossip. Trying not to resent the fact that he’d made that assumption about me and use it to my advantage, I schooled my lips into a grin. “What else is a prince to do but spend his evenings with a charming woman?”

“You dog!” He jostled my shoulders. “Did you meet her at the luncheons? Is she on staff?” He whipped his gaze around the room as if he could uncover the young lady’s identity.

Guilt constricted me a little, my smile not reaching my eyes as I held it. I didn’t want to lie to him, but too much in this kingdom was getting beyond my control. I wanted to trust Marco. I did trust him, but that sliver of doubt had started to wedge uncomfortably deep.

With everyone, actually.

Each interaction had to be carefully calculated, and the worst part was, I didn’t know why. Things weren’t adding up. That was all I had to go on. A string of unexplained occurrences that left a bitter taste had now forced me to question loyalties that never would have come into question before.

Marco found me missing, and instead of assuming anything nefarious, he thought I’d gone out for harmless fun. I felt slimy for not extending the same to him, but surely by asking some probing questions, he’d clear his name without ever knowing my intentions. “Where have you been lately? I missed you at the luncheons. Thought you wanted to try to embarrass me in front of a swarm of respectable women.” I could only hope the jovial tone would mask my suspicions.

“Ah, you don’t need me to do that, cousin.” A charming wink, one I would have enjoyed before and laughed off, now seemed intentionally shrouded in smoke and mirrors.

“Seriously, Marco.” My face dropped, and I stared into his eyes.

He noted the switch in energy. The way his face fell let me know he had, in fact, been dancing around an answer. “I didn’t want you to worry, but…we need to talk.”

26

Nora

The sun hadn’t even arced in the sky before I had gotten myself up and dressed. Some may deem noon too late a time for a person to wake, but considering my shifts at the tavern, noon was considered early for me. Tucked beneath my plain ensemble now decorated in patchy stitch work, was a dagger on my hip. Concealed, of course, and with no intent to use it, but the hidden steel offered me a sense of security.

I avoided the stairs that would groan so I could slip out the front door without notice. My mission was successful as I strode into the street.

I had a plan, another lead to work with. Not only that, but as soon as tomorrow night, I’d be able to meet with Chol on the grassy ledge between towns and share what I learned today. My steps were lighter as hope beamed alongside the rays of the sun. The very breath in my lungs cleared away the cobwebs that’d grown from years of merely getting by, making them shiny and new.

The rising sun shone brighter today, chasing away the coldness of winter, and with it, the hopelessness of never being able to put an end to the kidnappings.

All the snow had melted, and patches of green started to liven the dull, dead brown. Life blossoming anew, reviving what had been long covered and frosted over by winter’s harsh hand. Hope manifested into the physical world around me.

“A wise man doesn’t rely on hope,” Chol had said last night. Part of me wished I could show him what I saw. That we could walk side by side in broad daylight, sharing our insights of the world. Mostly to prove him wrong, that was certainly a motivation for it, but also to be in his presence. Sooner than I would have thought possible for a complete stranger, I found myself wanting his company.

Snap out of it, Nora.

I shook my head, as if I could shake off the deep setting familiarity. I didn’t know him, anything about him. He was more an illusion of a person, a shadow, really. Nothing but this goal bonded us.

“You’re the only person I can trust.” The words grazed my mind in a gentle whisper, and my stomach flipped. I didn’t want to admit it, but my actions last night gave me away. I’d extended an olive branch, an attempt to repay him for the trust he’d shown me. A piece of me rooted so deeply I hadn’t dared share it with anyone else. He may never realize the weight of it, what it meant for me to do that, but as we continued to meet there, I hoped it would become a place that meant something to him, too.

A lopsided grin plastered my lips as I continued down the street, walking past the array of shops. There were three leather stores in town I needed to stop at today. The chiming bell announced my entrance as I strode into Brown & Suede, the smell of warmed leather marinating the air.

Only a couple patrons interacted with the shopkeep, giving me some much desired privacy.

“Be right with you, Miss,” the shopkeep said.

Hides were tacked upon the wall, spanning the length of the room. Equestrian equipment, material for tarps and clothing, as well as shoes, bags, and all manner of accessories sat on display. I smiled at the man and moseyed around, simply browsing the finely made wares.

I reached a table of leather bound journals, noting the etched imprinted designs. The sight had my smile slipping. My father’s journal looked much the same, and the bitter reminder put pressure on my chest.

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