Page 42 of The Lost Prince
The last line wasn’t as clean as I would have liked it, but when I removed the knife from my skin, the raw, bloody lines all over my body flashed gold and silver, sinking into my skin.
My muscles were a mess as I shakily set down the knife and reached for the bucket and scattered the blood circle using only half the water. As the magick gave its last sigh and dissipated, I crumpled to the ground on my back, my eyes closed.
The deep, throbbing ache up under my ribs was a stark warning to not cut corners. The ritual had settled, but my line at the end couldn’t be that shaky again; I would be lucky if doing so this time didn’t give me a reduced result.
There was one way to find out.
Rolling over onto my stomach, I gathered my materials and cleaned my knives with a fresh cloth dipped into the remaining water pooled on the floor. In short order, I set everything away, hidden for the next time.
I wiped down my skin with my robe and changed back into my clothes.
Once I emerged in the main corridor again, I glanced around to ensure there were no Fireguards or any lingering Nobles nearby. Seeing I was alone, I glanced at the lit torch in the bracket next to me, and grabbed the top of it with my bare hand.
My brain panicked, but I stayed the course and kept my hand directly on the hot embers. One second. Two seconds.
I pulled my hand back. I hadn’t even felt heat from it! The unblemished skin on my hand was testament to the fact that the ritual had worked.
Two goals completed so far today.
Two more to go.
Ideally, I’d have a bath before tackling the third goal. Dried blood itched against my skin under my clothes, but there was nothing for it; scribes could only use the bathhouse once a week.
Sneaking in at night could be fun, however.
Perhaps I’d have five goals today. How ambitious!
As I turned the corner, the heavy double doors to the throne room opened, and I pushed my shoulders back and held my chin up. The first Monday of each month, the queen took open entreaties from anyone in the kingdom. Well, I’m sure the ‘anyone’ was heavily vetted and only those who would kiss the queen’s ass and be grateful for the privilege would get in. Not very generous, but this queen was a snake in the grass. No wonder she rules with an iron fist if the king was truly a mud boy, as I suspected.
My stomach flipped as I drew closer to the open doors. The Fireguards guarding the door noticed me first, their eyes sliding to track my form as their heads and bodies stayed staring straight ahead at perfect attention.
Eyes bulged and widened behind their helmets as they recognized me. I slowed my pace as I paused directly in front of the open doors, turning my head casually as if I were simply interested in seeing what business lay beyond in the receiving hall.
The queen was standing at the end of her dais, one hand held out as she gave her ‘blessing’ on the poor man, who looked like he was of one of the trade quarters. Judging by his bright blonde hair and the white apron around his white, I’d guess bread quarter.
And then it happened.
I passed by the open door, my movement catching the queen’s eye. I watched her reaction from my peripheral vision, keeping my gaze straight ahead down the corridor.
As if in slow motion, she glanced up from the kowtowing supplicant before her, her hand fluttering over his blonde hair. Silver eyes glanced up at me, her entire body going rigid as she recognized me.
It wasn’t part of my plan, but I couldn’t help it. I turned my head and met the queen’s gaze head on.
Her dismay and horror was a delicious ambrosia coating my tongue and sliding down into my belly to heat me from the inside out. Those pink, pouting lips parted in shock, her outstretched hand curling into a fist and turning her already pale knuckles pure white.
I broke contact first, turning my head back down the hallway and continuing past the doors. The moment I turned around the first corner, I bolted.
A hysterical laugh escaped from my throat.
She was rattled. Thequeenwas rattled, and I’d done it.
Two of three tasks were done.
Only one task left, and it wasn’t even lunchtime yet! My stomach rumbled, reminding me I’d done alotof work so far. I had time, so perhaps I’d stop by the kitchens and see if Clover still fancied me.
I’d never visited her during the day, but after all my successes so far today, I felt invincible. No, perhaps later.
Time for the third and final goal of the day.
