Page 71 of If The Crown Fits
He jumped a little upon hearing my voice behind him.
“I was going for a walk.”
My brows furrowed and I wasn’t sure if I believed him.
“All right, then I’ll come with you.” When he made no objection of any kind, I suspected he might have been telling the truth. “So.” I made a little foolish twirl, holding my dress. “What do you think?”
Cai didn’t seem to be in a very cheerful mood. He simply said, “You look different.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I looked down at the dress that stopped just below my ankles. The black material was just about as dark as the night. A belt hung low around my hips and the bodice was laced up in the front instead of the back like most of Princess Eloisa’s dresses.
“You look like you’re pretending to be something you’re not.” Before I could say anything in return, Cai stepped in front of me. “I don’t say that to be rude. I just mean that you looked more comfortable before. More like yourself.”
I closed my mouth, trying to process his words and somehow finding it hard to do so. Maybe because I thought he could be right. I didn’t really fit in with this family anymore. At least, it didn’t feel like it. It didn’t quite feel like I belonged anywhere. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise.
We continued walking below the high branches of the trees and I heard the hoot of an owl in the distance.
“I need to ask you something.” Cai sounded breathless. The walking must not have been doing his body any good, considering he hadn’t had time to heal properly. I was worried about his injuries when he joined us on the hunting trip. But he didn’t appear to be in any pain.
We slowed down and I replied, “Fire away.” I picked a blade of grass and played with it between my fingers as I leaned against an old tree trunk.
“Where is the necklace?”
Not the question I was expecting.
Not the question I had planned to answer.
“It’s buried where no one will ever find it.” At my words, Cai looked up and there was genuine concern in his eyes.
“I’m going to need it back.”
I shook my head. “That necklace almost caused a war. It’s better if no one has it, then no one can abuse its power.”
“First of all, the whole story about the necklace being magical is ridiculous. These tales have been around for centuries and as the Prince of Norrandale, I can assure you, they are not true. Secondly, that necklace belongs to my family. It is my rightful property and you know it.”
I wasn’t sure if I liked the stern tone in his voice.
“You could be lying about the jewel not being magical. If that’s the case, and that necklace falls into the wrong hands again, it could be worse than a war. Everyone is safer as long as no one ever finds it andyouknow that.”
Cai snorted and I laid my head back against the tree trunk. The evening slowly started to set in as the longest day of the year came to its end.
“Should have known never to trust a thief.”
It was strange how I actually felt a pang in my chest as Cai said that. I didn’t meet his eyes. Couldn’t, perhaps, because of my guilt and knowing I had never apologised to him for my betrayal.
“And what do you plan to do with it? Take over Everness? Eliminate your enemy for good?”
“I just want to give it back to whom it belongs to.”
To whom it belongs to?Did he mean Eloisa? Was he still planning to marry her? I was curious. But I wouldn’t ask. “I’m not giving you that necklace, Cai.”
A jolt of nerves went through my body when Cai’s hands wrapped around my upper arms and held me against the tree. I couldn’t look away now. His eyes were greener than they had ever been before and, without meaning to, I could hear both of us breathing.
“Where is the necklace?” He didn’t shout. Didn’t try to hurt me. His voice was soft and serious, making me think about the night in the maze at Woodsbrook Manor. And how I kissed Cai in his rooms before running away.
He’s still a prince, the voice in my head reminded me.
I was quick to knock Cai’s hands away. “Do you have a hearing problem?” Even though he was no longer touching me, Cai didn’t step away. “I told you it’s gone and buried. The best thing is to just forget about it.”
