Page 120 of The Gilded Cage

“Trapped,” Caldon said, understanding.

“Exactly,” Kiva agreed.

The prince released a sigh. “Well, maybe that’ll change after tonight. You said their plans have been delayed, right? That might give him the chance to break free somehow.”

Given the resignation Kiva had seen come over Torell, she had her doubts. But she also wouldn’t give up hope. She’d do everything she could to encourage him to make the same decision she’d made.

The same decision, she realized, that their grandmother had made. And, prior to the events of ten years ago, the same decision their mother had made — and held on to for most of her life.

It wasn’t impossible to walk away from the rebels’ mission. Hard, but not impossible.Harder,of course, when the current Vallentis family had caused so much personal heartache, but again, if Kiva could forgive them, then maybe ...

“What are you thinking?” Caldon asked, using the tip of his finger to smooth the wrinkle between her brow.

“That you might be right — with a little help, Tor could break free,” Kiva said. “He could get his life back, just like I did.”

“Forgive me for pointing this out, but you’re still a work in progress,” Caldon said dryly, indicating the alleyway where she’d met her siblings.

“We’re all a work in progress at something,” Kiva returned, reminded all over again of how close she’d come to disaster tonight. If someone else had followed her ... If they’d done the same research as Caldon ... If Caldon himself had cared less about her or decided she wasn’t worth the risk of keeping alive ...

“You need to stop this,” he said, smoothing her forehead again. “Keep frowning, and you’ll age thirty years in no time. Maybe forty.”

She batted away his hand and deliberately deepened her frown.

“That’s lovely,” he said. “Real charming.”

“Have you always been this annoying?” Kiva asked.

“You bring out the best in me, Sweet Cheeks.”

Kiva sent him a deadpan look.

He chuckled, before sobering again. “It’s late — we need to get back to the palace. But before we go, I have one last question.”

“I thought you already knew everything about me?” Kiva shot back.

“Do you have healing magic?”

The breath left Kiva. But then, slowly, she nodded. “I do. But Zuleeka and Tor don’t.”

Caldon pulled Naari’s blade from his belt, causing Kiva’s heart to stutter. But he only waved it and said, “So, if I stabbed myself with this right now —”

“Don’t!”Kiva cried, lunging for it. Only when it was safely back beneath her leather boot did she realize he hadn’t put up a fight and was looking at her with raised eyebrows. She cleared her throat and explained, “I can’t use my power right now.”

His questioning look only grew, so Kiva gave in and told him the real reason why she’d drugged him, candidly sharing about her magic bursts and her grandmother’s suppressant potion. The only thing she left out was that she’d have to return to Blackwater Bog the next day, fearing he’d try to stop her — or worse, insist on accompanying her. She very much doubted Delora would appreciate the royal company.

When she was finished, Caldon stared at her for a long moment, before finally grinning. “Doesn’t it feel good to get all that off your chest? No more secrets between us, Sunshine.” His face turned serious as he warned, “I mean it. As much as I love you, if I get so much as ahintthat you’ve lied to me and you’re planning to hurt my family, I’ll slit your throat myself. Understood?”

Kiva gulped. That seemed to be answer enough for Caldon, since he slung his arm around her shoulders and began leading her out of the docks, whistling merrily the entire way back to the palace.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The next morning, Kiva awoke to an anxious feeling that she couldn’t shake. Part of it, she knew, was from being confronted by Caldon last night, even if he’d given no indication that he planned to reveal her secret. The very thought knotted her stomach, making it difficult to swallow the final mouthful of Delora’s potion.

After a strenuous training session, she returned to the palace, her anxiety growing at the sight of so many people flooding the halls. With Mirryn’s masquerade only a day away, preparations were in full swing, countless servants, caterers, and entertainers rushing about, enough to keep Kiva firmly on edge, even if she couldn’t pinpoint why.

Unable to handle her growing distress, Kiva intended to slip out after her breakfast, not only for some peace and quiet, but also to sneak in her trip to Blackwater Bog. But just as she was preparing to leave, Mirryn fluttered into her room, followed closely by two maidservants wheeling a rack of dresses, and an elderly man with a tape measure around his neck.

“Good, you’re here,” Mirryn said to Kiva.

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