Page 90 of Mirror of Malice
When I finished, he stroked his jaw.
“Sorrengard is up to something.” He shook his head. “But we can’t focus on them.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “How could we not? We need to organize a summit with all the leaders on the continent. When Gabrielle is ready, of course.”
“Gabrielle is focusing on her court, her people. We need to be doing the same.”
I leaned forward. “This is bigger than all of us.”
Penn’s jaw locked. “What do you think will happen if you take back the earth court? That will hurt Sorrengard’s plan, whatever it is. It’ll disrupt their attempt to sow the seeds of discord before they strike.”
It made sense, but I still didn’t like it.
“We need to focus on getting that weapon and getting the fiery hells out of here,” Penn said.
I hesitated. “I’ve been thinking... maybe I could just talk to Gabrielle about it. Tell her why we need the weapon.”
“No.” Penn shook his head. “That’s too risky. If she says no, then what? Our chance at stealing it will be blown, and she’ll likely ask us to leave once you reveal why we’re here.”
I bit my lip. “But she revealed so much today, was so open with me. I think she’d be reasonable about this.”
“Lilypad,” Penn said. “I know you don’t want to steal from your friend. But leaders have to make hard choices sometimes. This is one of those choices.”
Penn was right. Though I still couldn’t shake that niggling feeling that I could find another solution, one that didn’t compromise the kind of queen I wanted to be.
Penn’s finger hooked under my chin. “What’s wrong?”
Thunder rumbled through the sky above, and I drew my knees to my chest.
“The more I try to save my court, the more I feel like I’m not worthy of it. I’m a criminal. A thief. The type of person who betrays a friend. What kind of leader will that make me? How will I enforce the laws of Elwen when I, myself, haven’t even followed them?”
Penn opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. “I know. I know what you’re going to say. That I’m a leader, not a follower. That you know I’ll make a good queen. I just wish I could believe it as fiercely as you seem to.”
The thought of stealing from Gabrielle made my stomach tighten into knots. She’d welcomed us into her home, told me painful secrets, and I was going to turn around and take something valuable from her.
“Then I won’t tell you you’ll make a good queen.” Penn’s finger dropped from my chin. “I’ll just tell you that you are fierce. You are brave. You are wise. You are loyal. You will do anything for your people, even if it’s meant becoming the very person you abhor. I’d follow that kind of leader into the depths of the Spirit World.”
We locked eyes, and I could’ve sworn something like need flashed in his. Lightning struck, lighting up the cave, and I looked away, once again reminding myself that I was just a tool to him, nothing more. “We should get back,” I said. “Gabrielle’s going to be wondering where I am, and we don’t need to raise any suspicions right now.”
I stood, clothes still sticking to me, hair plastered to my head.
“Lilypad, wait.”
I turned to see Penn still sitting on the ground, brows furrowed and fists curled.
“Yes?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I’m going to stay here awhile. Be careful walking back in the rain.”
“Sure,” I said and turned, walking out of the cave and wondering what in the hell that was all about.
Chapter Forty-Three
Gabrielle and I walked through a bustling market that lined the cobblestone streets of the water court. Penn stayed behind at the castle, hoping to do some reconnaissance since the queen’s guards would be out on our walk with us. We’d stayed up late into the night, looking at the map Penn had sketched of the castle and brainstorming a list of places the weapon could be. Penn was going to try and sneak into as many of those places as possible while I kept Gabrielle occupied. I was supposed to get more information out of her, but I just wanted to enjoy the beautiful day. Penn would not be pleased if I returned with nothing, though. I could tell he was eager to return to Mosswood Forest, and I was just as eager to get back to Elwen and face my stepmother.
Little wooden stands lined the street, which overlooked the shimmering ocean. Clouds gone, the sun once again shined bright today. I noticed the majority of stands were run by women, with the odd man here or there.
Gabrielle’s inner circle flanked us, Leoni close behind.
