Page 28 of Once Upon a Crown
“Sorry.” Cai stepped into the room.
“You keep doing that.” I bent down to pick up the book.
“Doing what?” He closed the door behind him.
“Scaring me.” I started placing all the books back in the drawer.
“I don’t mean to.”
“I know. I guess I just don’t expect you to show up outside your rooms so out of the blue.”
After all, it had taken weeks just to get him to come out of his chambers in the first place.
Cai’s face contorted a little. “You’re right,” he said sheepishly.
“What are you doing here?” I pulled open the next drawer.
“I heard a ruckus, so I thought I’d come take a look.” Gosh, then I really must have been quite loud.
“I’ve been looking for the diary,” I informed him, inspecting the next drawer. It had a few hunting knives and some other knick-knacks inside.
“Any luck?”
I let out a sigh. “It would appear not.”
“Do you mind if I help you look?”
I turned to meet his eyes. “Of course not.” Ever since the kiss we’d had in his room, I felt like something in Cai had changed. Nothing extraordinary, but I could see him trying, and I knew it must have taken a lot for him to get to that point. I just wasn’t sure how to let him know that I appreciated it.
“What have you checked so far?”
“The chests, that desk.” I pointed to it. “That cupboard and these drawers.”
Cai made his way to another little side table that had a small drawer in it.
I shoved the drawer shut with some frustration, unsure of where to look next, when I noticed Cai running his hands along the fireplace.
“What are you doing?”
“Looking for secret doors.”
“Secret doors?” I replied. “Do you really think there are secret doors in here?”
“Why wouldn’t there be?” He moved away from the fireplace and to the wall panels.
I knew about the passage in Norrandale’s palace that led away from the throne room. It was built for the safety of the kings and queens. But I couldn’t believe I hadn’t considered any other passageways in the palace.
“Wait, do you have a secret door in your rooms in Norrandale?” I asked, temporarily forgetting about my search for the diary.
Cai hesitated. “Not in my room, no, but there is a hidden passage from the king’s rooms, yes.” I’d forgotten that Cai had never moved into King Erik’s chambers, even long after he’d been crowned.
“And where does it lead?” I questioned, somewhat idiotically.
Cai looked over his shoulder for a moment before continuing his search. “The queen’s rooms,” he said softly.
Right.
“Any other secret hallways or rooms I should know about?” If we made it out of this mess alive, then Mistwood would be my home as well.
