Page 72 of If The Crown Fits
“I am the future king of Norrandale.” As if I needed reminding. “It would be in your best interest to give me what I want, Lara.”
“Of course, now you want to abuse your power.” There was a twitch in his expression, and I wondered if my words might have hurt his feelings. Good. He did call me a scheming thief.
He looked away for a moment. “You really think the worst of my kind, don’t you?”
“Your kind has given me very little reason to think otherwise,” I spat out, contemplating shoving him so I could walk away from this conversation.
“That piece of jewellery is part of my family legacy. I need it back.” Cai’s voice rose slightly, with an edge of desperation to it.
“If it’s so damn important, then why did you give it away in the first place?” I worried for a moment that someone would hear us, but the music would conceal the sound of my yelling.
“Because I was going to marry Eloisa and she was going to come and live in Norrandale, and it wouldn’t have mattered.”
“Well, I’m sorry to have ruined it for you.” I threw my arms up in a slightly dramatic fashion.
It was only then that Cai seemed to notice our proximity, the fact that we were now so close that our breaths mingled in the night air.
The prince’s face softened and the tension between us shifted into something that was no longer fuelled by anger.
“Yes,” he breathed out. “How very ill-mannered of you.”
Before I found myself getting caught up in his gaze again, I quickly looked away.
“I’m sorry.” Any confidence my voice possessed before was now gone. “I can’t tell you where it is.”
Defeated, Cai let it go and took a step back. “Very well, then.” He headed towards the camp and I stood back for a moment, watching him walk away and deciding I didn’t like it. Nor the fact that I felt as if I disappointed him. Shaking my head, I caught up, and in silence, we made our way back to the firelight and music.
“So what usually happens at these events?” he asked, as if the conversation that had just passed between us had never happened.
“Well, as you can see, there is plenty to eat and drink, which is pretty much the highlight of the evening.” Meat was being roasted on the nearby fires, while the tables were loaded with breads and fruits. All of which had been baked and gathered today. “That and the dancing. It gives us something to think about so we can forget the hardships, even if it’s just for the night. We’re not really ones for pretty speeches and ceremonies.”
We stood at the edge of the party, like outsiders looking in. Like neither of us really belonged there with the rest of them. “What do you usually do on the summer solstice?” I asked.
“Those who can, go to the beaches. We usually have a garden party during the day and then at night we celebrate in the ballroom. It’s a lot like this only...”
“Only completely different?” I finished his sentence and he smiled as he replied, ”Yeah.” The moment of peace didn’t last very long before Ray came out of the crowd and jogged towards us.
“Where have you been? Everyone’s looking for you,” he said, and his demeanour had changed completely since the last time I saw him, not too long ago.
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Arthur wants to talk to you. Both of you.” He glanced towards Cai, who looked just as surprised and confused as I was, but we followed him nonetheless.
The door to Uncle Arthur’s cabin was open and Ray closed it behind us as we stepped inside. Cai and I stopped in our tracks. The last person I’d thought I would see again was standing there in his uniform, looking like he’d seen a ghost. Rhen breathed heavily, as if he had just run all the way here.
“What are you doing here?”
“Sit down,” Uncle said before Rhen could reply.
We both took a seat. I had no idea what to expect.
“Your friend here—” Uncle gestured to Rhen — “has brought us some rather important news.”
“What is it? What happened?” A million bad thoughts were going through my mind.
“The King of Everness is dead.”
Chapter 20
