Page 47 of If The Crown Fits
“So you’re going to be the kind of king that makes sacrifices for his people?”
I managed to chuckle at her words. “You think of marriage as a sacrifice?”
“For some people it most definitely is. I suppose it depends on who you end up with.” She met my gaze.
“Yes, I suppose it does.”
We emerged from the stretch of woods and entered the gardens. “What about you?”
“Oh, I’m just in it for the riches and advancement. I could never be queen of Everness.”
I laughed at her joke. “You are second in line to the throne. It is not impossible.”
“Yes, let’s plot the death of my father and brother, shall we?” she said, and we dismounted near the stables. “Thank you for the ride, it was most pleasant.”
She curtsied before walking away, and I realised she hadn’t answered my question.
Chapter 13
Woodsbrook Manor
Lara
I ran up the marble steps to my chambers, heat crawling up my neck. I had arranged the hunt for Cai in the hope I might earn more of his trust and his affection. Even if it didn’t aid me at the end of play, it certainly wouldn’t make things worse. It would be impossible to take the sword with his guards constantly surrounding him. They weren’t with us on the ride, but for some reason I hadn’t felt like knocking the man off his horse and leaving him unconscious in the woods.
Maybe it’s that stupid smile he keeps sending my way.
Even though I hated to admit it, some part of me would feel better if I took it from him without his knowing. Which didn’t make sense, because I had no reason to feel guilty. I was one of the best bandits in the kingdom. Bandits didn’t feel guilt.
Cordelia was already waiting in my room, ready to help me change. I told her about the hunt and shared my concerns regarding Cai’s interrogative questions, but I could tell by the look in her eyes that her mind was somewhere else completely.
“Cordelia?” I asked a few minutes after saying something and still not having received a reply from her. She looked up to meet my gaze in the mirror as she was brushing my hair.
“Yes?”
“What didyoudo today?” I questioned, a smirk on my face and the memory of the night I caught her up to something on my mind.
Cordelia looked abashed and it gave her away. “Oh, you know. I—” She started to fumble for words. “I just went for a little walk and got a book from the library, that sort of thing.” She went back to brushing my hair with fierce concentration.
“Where did you go for a walk?”
“Mmhhh?”
I could tell she was avoiding the question.
“You said you went for a little walk. Where did this walk take place?”
“In the rose garden,” she replied, too quickly.
“Oh, I see,” I said. “And were you alone?”
She looked up again and I grinned. “A gentleman was with you, wasn’t he?” Her eyes went wide and she began to shake her head, but I didn’t give her a chance to reply before letting out a small gasp. “Oh, Cordelia,” I teased. “Is it because he’s in fact not a gentleman that you refrain from telling me?”
Her mouth was wide open as she scrambled for something to say. I turned in my seat to face her.
“Is he a servant? Or a pirate or an outlaw that you met up with at the harbour town?”
She looked about ready to jump out of the window if that was what it took to get away from this conversation.
