Page 121 of A Dagger in the Ivy

“Was it you who sent someone to check on me in the middle of the night?” I ask him.

“I was simply ensuring your safety, Celeste.” He speaks his words through clenched teeth.

“That’s what my Royal Ward is for. I never left my room. You can ask Sir Holden if you don’t believe me.”

He scrutinizes me. I can’t tell if he knows about every secret passageway in the castle, in particular the one accessible from my room, but even if he does, he might be hesitant to bring it up, not knowing if I’m aware of it. “You’re a smart woman, Celeste, so I won’t have to remind you what fleeing will cost you.”

I can only grind my teeth in response.

He leans closer, and I flinch.

“There’s no use stopping the course of events, Celeste. Despite your futile attempts to change things, you know there is only one possible outcome.” He inches forward, his eyes darting over my face. “It’s inevitable, with or without your cooperation.”

Before I know what’s happening, his mouth is on mine in a rough kiss.

I whimper, trying to break free, but he’s strong. Much stronger than I remember, a clear indication that the potion he took has changed him.

With one last push of my fae powers, I yank my face away from his and slap him hard. For a split second, he glares at me in surprise, but thena demented laugh escapes his lips.

Standing nearby, Sir Holden watches us, and I notice that his hand is on the hilt of his sword. It gives me a small sense of relief to know he might have stepped in to help me if necessary. Though it could very well cost him his life.

Torbin smirks at me as he backs away. “Sleep well, my dear. Our big day is approaching faster than you think.”

Deep down, I know he’s talking about more than just the wedding.

CHapter

Forty-Four

The moon shines brightly in the night sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard. I pace my balcony restlessly, my mind consumed with worry and uncertainty. As time ticks by, I tighten my hands into fists and then loosen them, rolling my neck to get the kinks out of my strained muscles. I feel helpless and trapped within the confines of my own thoughts.

My uncle will never get the message I tried to send him, and again I curse the fact that I wasn’t blessed with his ability to communicate telepathically. My best bet would be to send a message by nightfeather, but I have to figure out a way to get it past the tower maester so that the king won’t be informed.

An idea comes to me, but it involves Nadya, and I hate to bring her further into this battle. It would kill me if anything were to happen to her. But I have no other options.

I go over to our adjoining door and rap on it lightly.

“Celeste?” I hear her answer softly.

I open the door and find her lying on her stomach on her bed, reading a book. When she sees the look on my face, she sets the bookaside and sits up.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

I wring my hands as I approach her. “I tried sending a message by rider to my uncle, but the horse returned a short while later with no rider, and the saddle was bloodied.”

She stands, her eyes wide and she takes my hands. “Oh, gods. You think the king intercepted it?”

“Or Torbin. Either way, it’s not good, and I still need to get the message to my uncle.”

“But how?”

“I have an idea, but I’d be asking a lot from you.” I grimace, waiting for her response.

“Celeste, I will do anything for you.” She squares her shoulders. “What’s your plan?”

I bite my lip before responding. “I need you to use your womanly charms to distract the tower maester so I can attach a message to a nightfeather without him seeing.”

She smiles. “I can definitely do that. Let me just change into something a little more… tempting.” She lets out a nervous giggle as she turns to her wardrobe.

---