Page 73 of Shadows of the Crown

But not only do I need to, I want to. He has proven himself worthy time after time, not just with his bewildering words, but his actions. I can surely give him this small piece of me, if only to garner his help in discovering what my father almost had about the king.

“I didn’t thank you for the other night…I’d likely be dead if anyone else had come to my door.” He smiles, something heavy flitting through his eyes that causes me to tell him of what I found. His forehead becomes increasingly scrunched the more I say, wary tension seeping from my muscles as I watch his confusion grow.

If I’d had a single hint that he knew anything I speak of, his body would already be growing cold on the floor.

He’s silent for minutes, and I study his face as he processes my words. “Wait, an accord between whom? I know of no such agreement amongst the cities or the kingdom…” I stop pacing to sit on his bed, falling back and pressing my palms over my eyes.

“I’d gotten the impression that this is not a normal accord. He said it’sweakening, as if it is not a document but a living thing.”

“How is that possible…that does not make sense.” He sighs, running a hand over his mouth.

I bite my tongue hard enough that a familiar metallic taste floods my mouth—I left one thing out. “He mentioned begging my mother to find another solution…in the Aether, but she didn’t wish to go back.” His head snaps toward me, seemingly unaware that his feet drag him to the bed.

“Go back? As in she’d been there before?”

I groan. “I don’t fucking know, Caspian! I’m just as lost as you are. How she died to give me time for something I know nothing of…how my father was convinced his search would be able to save her, and how he was certain the answers would lead to your father. He’d spoken as if the realm would perish any day—” Fuck, my head is throbbing. I sit up and cross my legs, facing the prince. “I do not fucking care why my parents did what they chose to do. I want to figure out whatever is going on with your father, and complete whatever the fuck my mother died to give me time for.”

His eyes search mine, tired. “Gavriel thinks he may have…stumbled across something.” I raise a brow, waiting for him to continue. He hesitates before seeming to decide on the right words. “You remember where the first trial was?” I nod once. “He saw one of the entrances to those tunnels being guarded.”

That’s his big secret?

“If you have yet to notice, there are sentries posted at every fucking corner of this castle.” He chuckles, shaking his head.

“Yes, but never at the tunnels. There’s nothing to protect down there, so why were they posted at one of the entrances? Not to mention everything my father has done with this competition and his attempts to kill you…

“I don’t know, Ariella—I’m fucking confused.” He falls back to the bed, cupping his hands behind his head. “I can’t see my father doing anything substantial enough to fit with what you’re saying, and yet I also didn’t think he could outright murder people for sport. The death of every other assassin was not meant to happen, and yet it did. So whether it’s him, or Varrick, that is making these decisions, I am not sure. But something in my gut is telling me there is much more to this than we think.”

I should leave. Gather my winnings at the ceremony tomorrow and travel far from Valoria—I’d never have to deal with any of this again. I could go on the adventures my mother spoke fondly of, or visit the cities outside of the kingdom.

That would be necessary, regardless; the king will send others after me the moment I am out of the spotlight.

It would be the smart thing to do, and I’ve never been someone to make impulsively foolish decisions. And yet I find myself saying…

“So, how do we figure this out?” If it wasn’t for my father’s journal, I likely would have left. But there’s something betweenhis written words that calls to me—begs me to stay. “If I don’t remove myself from the castle after tomorrow, he will insist on having my head.”

We sit in silence, both lost in our own warring thoughts.

Getting into the castle undetected is the easy part, but remaining unseen long enough to obtain answers?

The door to Caspian’s room bursts open, slamming into the wall as Gavriel stumbles in with his sword drawn. He scrutinizes the prince and me with wide eyes, clearly confused that his charge is alive and unscathed—mostly.

“I—” His shoulders slack. “It was so quiet, I thought…” I burst out laughing, hopping from the bed and sauntering to the sputtering guard.

“Did you think I fucked your prince to his death?” I drawl, walking my fingers over the worn leather covering his chest. “I’m honored, Gavriel, that you would bestow me with such a compliment.” He smacks my hand away, and I smile brightly when his hatred for me overpowers his worry for the prince.

“You’re lucky I even allow you in here, wraith. If that fucking idiot wasn’t so obsessed with you…”

“Allow?” Heat builds in my chest, my eyes narrowing. He crosses his arms, smirking. “Well thenallowme to sink this blade into your heart since you seem convinced that you’ve the power to order me around.” He tenses when the tip of my blade presses below his ribs, angled up toward the rapidly beating organ.

We glare at each other for a moment before Caspian groans loudly. “You two are ridiculous,” he mutters, sliding an arm around my waist to pull me back. I shiver when his lips meet my ear. “Why don’t we save such threats for me, hm? I seem to get jealous whenever you hold that beautiful weapon to anyone else, especially my guard—” He halts, straightening. “That’s it!” My brows furrow as I look between a disgusted Gavriel and a grinning prince.

I twirl the blade through my fingers, pinning Caspian with a hard look. “What’s it, exactly?” I swear to the Angel, if either of these foolish men claims any sort of ownership over me again…

“Ariella, you’ll be my personal guard—that’s exactly how to give you the access you need without my father making an attempt for your life.”

Gavriel and I share a look, agreed for once. “First, I would never be something so lowly as your personal guard.” I wink at the unimpressed bastard next to me. “Second, perhaps you’ve forgotten that your father lives in the castle. If I were to live here as well, that would certainly give him far easier access to me.”

He huffs, waving a hand. “No, of course I wouldn’t have you actually protect me—unless you wished to do so from my bed,” he lilts as his eyes roam my prickling body. Gavriel makes a strange noise, and I’m sure his skin is turning green. “But if I announce it during the ceremony tomorrow, there is nothing he could do to refute it. You’d be expected to be seen around the castlefrequently, so he wouldn’t outwardly attack you, nor would your presence in the halls alarm anyone.”

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