Page 83 of Mirror of Malice
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I whispered. “We’ve only been here for a day. Shouldn’t we learn the guards’ schedules? Map out the castle? Talk about a plan?”
“What do you think I was doing last night?” Penn asked. “While you were asleep?”
Unbelievable. I stopped, and Penn kept walking until he must’ve realized I was no longer with him. He turned, holding up the candle as wax dripped down into the candle holder in his hand. “Let’s go,” he said.
“No.” I crossed my arms. “You didn’t mean any of it, did you? About me being your partner, having a choice in all this? You’ve done nothing but determine every move we’ve made since we got here.”
Boot heels clicked on the marble floor, and Penn rushed toward me, grabbing me and spinning both of us behind a largestatue that lined the hallway. We ducked down and Penn quickly doused the flame. Guards rounded into the hallway, marching past us, thankfully unaware of our presence.
He removed his arms from me, and we sat there facing each other, centimeters apart. “Why don’t you trust me?”
“I do, Lilypad,” he said, his tone sincere.
He licked his lips and pushed a hand over his hair. “I’m used to being in charge, to making the plans, making the decisions. I’ve never had a partner before, so this is new to me.”
“Your thieves aren’t your partners?”
“They work for me. There’s a difference.”
We slowly crept out from behind the statue just as more guards rounded the corner. Penn snatched me again and reeled me into his body as we spun behind the statue.
Once the guards passed, I sighed and arched my neck to look up. “I thought you learned their schedule?”
“I did,” he said. “But someone decided to change the plan by being stubborn.”
“I could argue you’re the one who ruined the plan by not letting me in on it,” I whispered back.
He let out a soft chuckle. It rumbled through his chest, vibrating against my breastbone.
“I’m sorry,” he said to me. “I’ve spent my entire life alone. I’m not always the best at working with others, but I’ll do better.”
“Then let’s start now. Where are we going?” I followed him as he crept out into the hallway.
“To see the king and queen.”
Chapter Forty
“That seems like a really bad idea.” I scurried after Penn, and we turned a corner, then immediately ducked into an alcove as guards passed by.
“Only if we die,” Penn said over his shoulder.
Truly helpful. “Thank you for that,” I mumbled.
We continued on our way, all the hallways lined with windows—these ones not facing the ocean, which meant we had to be on the western side of the castle. I’d never been to the king and queen’s chambers, but I knew they were on the upper floor.
We came upon a steep staircase that spiraled upward, and Penn held out his hand, keeping me in place as he scoped out the area. He motioned for me to follow, and I could barely see him without the candle, but he’d already doused the flame and there would be no getting it back now.
“Why are we seeing the king and queen?” I asked.
“Gabrielle is lying,” Penn said from in front of me.
He stepped on a stair and it let out a loud creak. Both of us froze in place, but when nothing happened, we continued our ascent.
“Yes, obviously, but why does that matter? What does that have to do with this weapon we need to steal?”
“Can we have this conversation later, Lilypad? I’m not used to all these questions in the middle of a mission.”
I poked him in the back. “That’s what happens when you have a partner. Get used to it.”
