Page 91 of A Dagger in the Ivy

He settles his hands on my upper arms, holding me still. “I won’t let that happen.”

The moment grows silent, our eyes locked. And then recognition seems to come over him, and he takes a step back.

“I’m going to see what I can find out,” he says.

“Yes.” I give him a nod. “Me too.”

He keeps his eyes on me a second longer, backing away before turning on his heel and heading down the hall.

CHapter

Thirty-Two

I will not let the king’s demands sway me. Delasurvia is counting on this union, and I won’t sit aside and wait for the fate of my country to be settled by the king’s guards, no matter how skilled he believes them to be. And there’s no way I’m allowing the king to lay a hand on me.

I know my skills, and I know my resolve. No matter how long it takes, I will find the prince.

I dart around my room, hastily gathering a few essential items to accompany me on the journey ahead. The uncertainty of how long I’ll be gone weighs heavily on my mind, not to mention the fact that I only just returned from a lengthy excursion. I could really use a bath. And I wouldn’t mind closing my eyes for a few hours. But I can’t afford rest right now, and there’s no time for properly washing up. I allow myself two minutes to splash water on my face and under my armpits, then throw on fresh trousers and a blouse. Other than that, I have to focus on the task at hand.

My dagger is already secured in its sheath, its familiar weight a comforting presence against my thigh. And the belt my squad supplied me with comes equipped with some tools that could prove useful. I packa spare cloak to ward off the chill of the night and shield myself from the elements. A small pouch containing medicinal herbs and bandages is tucked away alongside my belongings, a precautionary measure against the unforeseen hazards that may arise along the way. Everything else I need will have to be taken from the kitchen.

But first, I need to talk to Nadya.

The last time I saw her was right before she was pushed out of the council chambers. Since she isn’t in my room, I have to hope that it’s too early for her to have found solace in someone’s bed. She’s fond of the magnolia tree in the courtyard, so I take my chances and sneak down the stairs to find her.

Luckily, no one is paying me much mind, since everyone seems to be concentrating on the mystery of the prince’s whereabouts. I pad toward the doorway that leads out to the courtyard, relieved when I immediately spot her reading a book beneath the tree.

Nadya spots me, her worried gaze following my movements. She takes in my appearance as I approach her, and her eyes narrow.

She clasps my hands in hers. “What are you doing?”

I keep my voice low. “The prince could be in danger. I’m going to find him.”

“I thought King Silas sent his men out. Did he ask you to join them?”

I glance over my shoulder before answering her. “No. He told me not to leave the castle.”

Her eyes widen. “Celeste!”

“Since when has any man—king or otherwise—stopped me from doing what I think is right?”

She squeezes my hands, studying me for a moment before giving me a nod. “Please be careful. You’ve only just returned.”

“I will, Nadya. I promise.” I pull her in for a hug. “Don’t tell anyone where I’ve gone.”

When she pulls back, the corner of her mouth twists upward. “I will convince anyone who asks that you are still here, wandering about the castle.”

“Thank you.”

With a final squeeze of her hand, I pull away from her embrace, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I have no idea where to begin my search.

I’m lucky to find the kitchen mostly empty, occupied with only a couple of servants who mind their own business and let me carry on with my errand. With swift efficiency, I gather a small supply of rations, enough to sustain me through the initial stages of the search without weighing me down unnecessarily. Before I depart the kitchen, I sling a canteen of water over my shoulder.

With everything in place, I sneak out of the castle and head down to the stables. The sun has almost disappeared from the sky, its last tendrils of light clinging to the heavens. Jasper is nowhere to be found, so it’s up to me to ensure that Thora is adequately equipped for the journey ahead. I check the saddle and reins for any signs of wear and tear. There’s no time to scrape the muck off Thora’s hooves, so I can only hope that they’re in good enough shape for the trip.

With my preparations complete and my resolve steeled, I take one final glance at my surroundings before setting off on my quest. There are no guards near the stables, but if I go anywhere near the front gates, I’ll be spotted for sure. I decide to head toward the back gate near the woods, but I don’t mount Thora yet. Pulling the hood of my cloak over my head, I take her reins and whisper to her softly as I guide her.

We make it through the gates without incident, and my heartbeat steadies a bit. As I mount Thora, I’m startled by the sound of thundering hooves approaching from behind. My muscles tense with apprehension as I glance over my shoulder, only to find Dante approaching, his eyes fixed on mine.

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