Page 21 of Mirror of Malice
My fists curled at my sides. This man was infuriating.
“So did you learn anything of interest?” he asked.
I looked away, not sure what I should reveal. Then again, he knew I’d been eavesdropping, so there didn’t seem much point in trying to hide it.
“I know you stole my stepmother’s mirror. What were you thinking?”
He cocked a thick blond eyebrow.
“That mirror is dangerous.”
“And how would you know that?”
“Because it belonged to my stepmother. And even in the prison cells, we heard rumors about it, about the darkness that ebbed from it.”
He shrugged. “Well, sounds like you just know everything, then.”
“Do not patronize me,” I snapped.
“I wouldn’t dare.”
I threw up my arms. “You are an insufferable thief.”
“Better than an insufferable princess.”
I let out a frustrated cry, and he just stood there, stoic as ever. Nothing rattled this man, which of course only made me want to rise to the challenge more.
Forget it. Talking to him was a waste of my time. I stalked away.
“You made a lot of mistakes, you know,” he said quietly, stopping me.
I slowly turned. “What mistakes?”
“Well, your shoes are far too loud.” He nodded at the boots I wore. “You brought a lantern, which might as well be a beacon in this forest. You didn’t keep to the shadows outside my tent, of which there are many to melt into.”
He was coaching me on my shortcomings when it came to eavesdropping. Unbelievable.
I gritted my teeth. “Yes, apologies that I’m not an expert criminal.”
He continued, as if I hadn’t even spoken. “You also breathe shockingly loud. Is that a medical condition of some sort? You should really have a healer check that out.”
My mouth dropped open and I shoved him. He barked out a laugh.
“How dare you speak to me like that. I am a?—”
He cut me off. “I don’t answer to you. No one does. Not here or in Elwen.”
The words twisted deep in my gut. He was right. I was a princess in the past, but without a crown, without a court to rule over, what did that make me now? Worse, what would my people think of me if they could see their future queen training to become a thief?
No. I wouldn’t let him get inside my head like this. That’s what he wanted. Make me doubt myself, weaken me so I could be another little puppet for him.
“What’s to happen to me?” I asked. “After I complete your little mission.”
“If”—he emphasized the word in a way that made me want to punch him—“you complete the mission, then you’re free.”
I eyed him warily. “That’s it? You’ll just let me go?”
“I don’t have much use for you after that.” He tilted his head. “Are you going to try and take back the earth court?”
