Page 145 of Artemysia
“The two of you need to leave.” He eyes Delphine as she rushes out of the bathroom, drying her hair with one towel, with another wrapped around her body, barely covering her ass.
I have half a mind to gouge out his eyes for gawking.
“What happened?” Delphine circles around the bed, scoops up the diamond necklace off the nightstand, and pushes past me to invite the prince into the room.
She presses the necklace into his palm. He grips her hand as he takes it. Before I can finish fantasizing about gutting him and watching his entrails spill out, he turns to me.
“It seems the real Marquis and Marchioness of the Outer Riverlands have sent word. They were held captive by Syf but managed to sneak out a message to warn the palace—to warn me that there might beimpostors.” He throws me a knowing look, and I glower right back, planning to strike him unconscious before he can detain us. Break that delicate nose of his so it’s crooked for life. Maybe knock a few teeth loose.
It depends on his next words.
To my slight disappointment, but lucky for him, his next words save him. “I’ve told the guards to take their midday break.” He fishes out a key from his breast pocket. “This unlocks a hidden passageway on the fourth floor. The portrait of me. It will take you outside of the manor, but you’re on your own to escape. The king has just been informed and guards will be coming for you. My father stalls only to devise a plan that avoids causing a scene. He can’t lose face in front of his nobles.”
He offers the key to Delphine. I wonder how she did it—charmed him, pried out the secrets of his kingdom, and even now, made him want to help her.
Am I under her spell, too? Of course I am.
Suspicion flares in my chest. “Why are you helping—?”
“Thank you, Prince Toryl,” Delphine interrupts.
“Let’s say you opened my eyes to the possibilities of both strategy and the heart—your intent to do good for all is a rare thing. And while I don’t know if love is for me, what you two have…maybe it’s worth not destroying right now. I may be spoiled. I may not be entirely good, but I’mnotevil.” He grins warmly at Delphine as if it’s an inside joke, and I bristle.
She hugs him tightly, still in her towel, and he returns her embrace. He politely holds back, and I do my best to ignore the new, recent phenomenon of jealousy spiking in me all the time. Perhaps they understand each other somehow, even in such a short time.
It’s what Delphine does to people.
Maybe he isn’t as big of a dickhole as I thought—for nobility, that is.
Toryl turns to leave, but takes one last glimpse of Delphine over his shoulder. I try to avoid thinking stabby thoughts again.
“Good luck, Delphine,” he says. Maybe I imagine the tinge of sadness, but I know if I had to say goodbye to her, I’d have the same longing in my voice. “May we meet again.” He strides out, hurries down the hall, and disappears through a smaller side corridor.
Delphine shuts the door behind him. “There’s no time, Riev, let’s go.” She dips back into the bathroom and rushes to change into trousers and a clean white shirt.
I check the window. “What do you think—climb down? There’s a chance the passageway is a trap.”
“Everyone’s out on the lawn for the luncheon. They’ll see us. We’ll have to trust the passageway. Try to find some elk once we’re out.”
I frown. “You trust that tall, handsome jerk then.”
“He’s a little odd and spoiled, but he means well.”
“Passageway it is. I snuck weapons into your trunk. Under your undergarments.”
“Smart.” She glances at me appreciatively.
I rummage past the clothing in her luggage, unpacking our blades. “They checked my bags and flipped through your dresses, but assumed the weight at the bottom was jewelry and shoes. I may have commented on your love of heavy, expensive gems and gold.”
She snorts out a nervous laugh as she braids her hair back from her face.
Her mood sobers, her expression delightfully ruthless. I relish the idea of fighting alongside her again.
If only one person has my back, I want it to be Delphine. She’s unstoppable.
I lay out our small but efficient arsenal of weapons on the bedspread. Delphine straps on her double holster. She sheathes her two short swords and her broadsword.
I have a bandolier of daggers along with my blade.
