Page 51 of The War and Deceit Series omnibus

Once we arrive back at the castle, Jacob jumps out of the carriage and offers me his hand to help me down. Giving him an absentminded smile, I accept his assistance, walking arm in arm back into the castle. It must only be about five o’clock but the corridors are uncharacteristically quiet. This is usually prime time for the court ladies to be gossiping in the halls before attending dinner. When he squeezes my arm slightly, I glance across at the prince, unable to stop my smile when I see the way he’s looking at me. Like I’m his favourite person in the world.

“Will you be joining us in the banquet hall?”

Most ladies from the houses would kill for an invitation to dine at the royal table, but I simply shake my head.

“Thank you, but no. Grayson and I eat in his rooms.”

It’s true, but I also need to put some space between the two of us, take a breather. My feelings are all mixed up and tangled. Not to mention I don’t want to be anywhere near his family, particularly the king or Rhydian. Jacob is quiet for a while,obviously thinking over his response, and when he does speak it’s with a carefully blank expression.

“You and Grayson are…close. Is there anything going on between the two of you?”

My face immediately flushes red and I choke on my quick inhale at the unexpected question. We are just friends.

Then why are you blushing so much? Why is your stomach churning and your breath catching at the prospect of being more than friends?Ignoring my inner monologue, I take a step away from the prince, needing some distance so I can come up with a response. I can’t think when he’s touching me.

“I—Well. No. No, he’s just a friend. He’s helped me out of a very difficult situation, and he’s very protective of me.”

Another heavy pause fills the space and I feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. Taking a step forward, he closes the gap between us and takes my hand in his. Raising my head slowly, I see his soft smile.

“That gives me some hope then.”

“What do you mean?” I’m confused, one moment he’s asking me about Grayson and now he’s talking about hope. His smile widens at my bewilderment as he raises his free hand up and pushes one of my unruly curls behind my ear. His touch makes my skin tingle, not in an unpleasant way, but in a way that makes me want more. Shifting his weight, he brings his face closer to mine and I realise he’s going to kiss me.

“I—”

“Prince Jacob!” Jerking away, the prince spins around to face the person who called his name. I can’t decide if I’m disappointed that he didn’t kiss me or not, my mind spinning through different scenarios.

What about Grayson? What about your connection with Vaeril and Tor?Taking a deep breath, I push away those thoughts, guilt making me feel unwell. I’m not sure what I’mfeeling guilty for, I didn’t do anything, nothing happened.Heavy booted footsteps reach us, and I glance over at the uniformed guard who has obviously just run here, his breath coming in large, gasping pants.

“Yes?”

“Your Highness…you are needed…immediately. Your brother—”

Jacob’s expression darkens at the mention of his brother and he nods at the guard. “I’ll be right there.”

The man nods and spins on the spot, running back the way he came. Frowning, I watch the whole episode with confusion, not quite understanding what’s going on. Which brother needs Jacob, and why does he look so angry? He turns to me now, his expression changing to concern. Glancing around, he takes my hand and guides me over to one of the little alcoves before pulling me close to him, so close that I have to put my hand on his chest to stop myself from falling.

“Clarissa, something is happening, it’s been building for a little while now.” His eyes dart around the empty corridor as if someone is going to jump out at any moment, his voice low as he explains.

“What do you mean?” I repeat my question from earlier, although it has a whole different meaning now. The fun, flirty atmosphere from our afternoon together is gone, tension and a calculating expression appearing on his face that I’ve never seen on him before.

He opens his mouth to say something but closes it again, cursing. “I can’t say much.” He swears again, and a small burst of magic seems to emit from him. I want to ask what he’s doing, he doesn’t have magic—or so I thought. But I can’t ask him becausenormalpeople can’t feel magic. That’s when it hits me, hecan’ttell me. He’s being silenced by magic. Fear starts tocreep through me. What is serious enough that a magical gag is placed over one of the princes?

“Things are about to happen, awful things. I hadn’t realised it was going to be so soon, I had hoped…” The look he gives me is that of a young man full of faith, but that quickly shutters and he takes a small step away from me, putting distance between us. “Stay with Grayson, he should be able to protect you through this.”

“What—”

A pained expression crosses his face before he shakes his head and starts to walk away. “I have to go, I’m sorry.”

Moving away from the alcove, I watch as the prince storms away. Anyone who doesn’t know him would think he was calm, but I can tell from the way he’s walking, back stiff and a stride I don’t usually see from him, that he’s worried. The fact that he hasn’t escorted me back to my rooms is a big indicator that something is wrong, and that concerns me. Something bad is about to happen, I can feel it. My mark is almost humming.

I need to return to my rooms, another wave of tingling power from my mark assuring me that I’m right. Grabbing the front of my skirts, I start the journey back to Grayson’s rooms, the corridors still eerily quiet as the winter sun sinks behind the horizon, leaving only the light from the lanterns illuminating my way. As I move, my mind wanders, all the horrible possibilities of what could happen swirling in my head. Are the elves going to attack?

A noise snaps me back to the present, my head immediately lifting and looking for the source of the sound. Frowning, I realise I’m by the Queen’s Courtyard. This is not on my route back to Grayson’s quarters, but somehow I’ve instinctively come here and the sense of assurance rolls over me again. For whatever reason, I’m supposed to be here.

I walk out from the corridor into the courtyard walkway, wrapping my arms around myself against the sudden change in temperature. It’s dark out here, only the lights from inside the castle reflecting against the water from the now still fountains. A murmuring has me pausing and I realise it’s someone talking. I start to walk away, I shouldn’t be listening to other people’s conversations when they obviously came here for privacy, but something stops me. A feeling, deep in my gut, and I know it’s the Mother trying to tell me something, something Ineedto know.

“You risk too much.” The rough, accented voice is familiar. Tor. What is he doing out here?

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