Page 54 of If The Crown Fits
Lance caught me by one of the doors the next morning. “I need to speak with you.”
“With regards to what?” I frowned.
“Goodness, you even sound like her.” He rolled his eyes and pulled my arm in the direction of the door before letting go. I followed him out on to the porch.
“Like who?”
Lance shook his head. “Nothing, it doesn’t matter. When did you start talking like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like you weren’t born in a barn.”
“I’ve never talked like I was born in a barn. Cordelia simply helped me improve my vocabulary a little. That and the tone I talk in. Apparently my regular voice is ‘too harsh’, whatever that means. I’m trying to convince His Royal Highness that I’m a princess, remember?”
“You won’t have to worry about that for much longer.” We walked past the entrance to the gardens, in the direction of the stables. “Have you made any progress?”
“I took him on a hunt yesterday in the hopes I might be able to take his sword if he were distracted. Maybe even knock him out and leave him in the woods. But we couldn’t find anything and he’s so bloody attached to that thing.” I mentioned nothing about our scandalous meeting in the rose garden.
“That’s rather cruel, wouldn’t you say? You’ve probably managed to make him half fall in love with you by now and yet you’d leave him lying cold on the forest floor.”
I rolled my eyes. “That’s rich, coming from you.”
“Me?” He placed a hand on his chest. “Cruel? Never.”
“What do you want me to do, ask him to hand it over nicely?”
“You’re running out of time. And you are the bandit, not I. Out of everything, this is supposed to be the easiest part for you. I hired you because of your reputation. Don’t tell me I’ve hired the only bandit in the kingdom who can’t steal a bloody thing.”
I stepped in front of him, making him stop abruptly. “Don’t underestimate me,” I said in a low voice. “That would be a mistake.”
He bent his head slightly. “Then prove me wrong.”
* * *
Lance made the formal announcement for dinner to be later that evening.
My first destination was the kitchen. I ordered all of the servants to take a long lunch outside. They stared at me with surprise and confusion, but there was no refusal. I started gathering herbs and crushing them before pouring boiling water onto the mixture. Daggers and knives weren’t my only skill, but this would be my last attempt at stealing Cai’s sword. I couldn’t afford the risk of being unsuccessful again. There was simply too much at stake.
I poured the tonic into two small bottles and placed them in the hidden pocket of my dress. I spotted Rhen in one of the hallways on my way to my chambers. “Good, I’ve found you. I need to ask you a favour.”
Rhen snorted. “I don’t believe you’re in a position to be asking any favours.”
“It’s not for me, it’s for Lance.” I took out one of the small bottles. “I need you to get rid of Cai’s guards.”
His eyes widened. “I can’t just kill all of them.”
“Not kill.” I took his hand and placed the bottle in his palm. “This is a sleeping tonic.”
He frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“Look, I don’t have time to explain but please make sure they get it.” It was the first time Rhen had heard me say the wordplease,so he knew I was desperate enough.
“Very well,” he agreed. I headed in the direction of my chambers.
Cordelia helped me get dressed for dinner a few hours later. I hurried down the stairs, towards the dining room, hoping to arrive before Cai and Lance. Upon entering, I found the room empty, and let out a sigh of relief. The table was beautifully set with lavish cutlery and golden cups. I took out the little bottle and poured some of the tonic into Cai’s cup. The healer of our clan, Benette, had taught me how to mix such tonics as a young girl, and with the correct dose, this one could knock a man out cold for hours.
I had barely put the bottle away when Cai entered the dining room.
