Page 33 of A Reign of Malice
She grabs the ruined shirt, stuffing it back beneath her blouse as I lift the heavy frame and position it back on the wall. My hands move quickly, my breath steady despite the tension coiling in my gut.
Once everything’s back in place, we step away, assessing our work.
It looks untouched, but the air is thick with something unseen, something pressing.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,”Clara whispers through my mind.
I don’t argue.
We slip out of the hallway, walking as fast as we can without looking suspicious, making our way back to my room without another word. I keep my senses on high alert, but no one stops us. There are no lingering shadows. Nosudden figures stepping from the darkness. No heartbeats too close for comfort.
Still, my wolf doesn’t settle until we’re safely inside my chambers, the door locked behind us.
I exhale slowly, pressing my back against the cool wood.
“That was too close,” Clara mutters, rubbing her hands down her face.
I nod but push away from the door. “We can’t think about that now. The other royals are arriving soon, and if we’re not there to greet them, Aesonwillnotice.”
Clara curses but doesn’t argue. She moves to the fireplace first, pulling the ruined shirt from beneath her blouse. Without hesitation, she tosses it into the hearth then strikes a match. Flames consume the fabric in an instant, curling around the bloodstained cotton before reducing it to ash.
I stare into the fire, bile rising in my throat. Aeson’s blood wasn’t the key.
And Julian was about to tell me who might’ve set the spell before I was yanked back to my body.
I grit my teeth, forcing the frustration aside.
Later. I’ll deal with itlater.
For now, we need to play the part.
As soon as the evidence is gone, we move quickly, changing into more formal attire. There are three purple gowns on the bed, and I badly want to ignore each of them, but I’m playing a game and now isn’t the time to push Aeson. Not until I’m ready.
I nod toward the middle one, and Clara helps me into the dress. It’s fitted around my chest and down to my waist, with intricate embroidery along the bodice. The full skirt is the least obnoxious of the choices and sways quietly around my feet as I walk to pick out my heels.
Clara disappears into her room for only a few minuteswhile I touch up my makeup. She returns in a sleek emerald gown, and I smirk. She undoubtedly chose the Alcaris color on purpose. Even though I’m not ready to openly challenge Aeson, I’m not going to stop her from doing so.
Without saying a word, she steps behind me, her fingers deft as she weaves my hair into intricate braids and pins them around my crown, leaving most of the strands to cascade down my back.
She works in silence but tension rolls off her in waves as she asks, “Are you ready for this?”
I hold her stare, my back straight. “As long as you agree I’m right to believe Julian then absolutely.”
Her mouth goes flat as she considers my words. “I’ve never liked Aeson, and now I know why. But I also don’t like that we have no one we can trust to agree with or even counter what he’s telling you. Yet…”
I hold my breath as she pauses.
“Considering he asked you to stay away and that he’s worried about your safety with Aeson and when you got too close to the water, he stopped you, so you wouldn’t be at risk of getting hurt. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking, but those aren’t the actions of a monster.”
My shoulders drop as the tension melts away.I thought the same thing.But I also know the mate bond can twist emotions, make things feel more certain than they are. That’s why I need Clara to help me be sure.
With her agreement that he’s not likely the monster here, freeing Julian is now the priority. After that, after we know for sure who he is, I’ll decide what we do next.
Clara and I head downstairs with only a few minutes to spare.
Or so I think until I see Aeson waiting for us.
His arms are folded over his chest, his face a mask of irritation. “You’re late.”
