“She doesn’t need to know because the less she knows the better.” My voice has turned low and gruff.
“Why is that?” Rap challenges.
Taking a moment to calm myself, I lick my lips and articulate, “If she let it out, if my father ever questioned her, she’d be liable for my actions.”
“And you intend to get your father off the throne,” she says, still giving me the stink eye as she sinks back into her seat.
“That’s the plan.” I nod. “But the plan also involves implicating him in the murder of Cinder’s father. I’m not positive he did it, but I’m pretty fae fucking sure he had something to do with it.”
Rap sighs and rubs her forehead as if I’ve gifted her an elephantine headache. “From what I understand of your father,even if Cinder doesn’t know what you plan, if he even gets a whiff of this, he’ll make her pay.”
Acid coats my tongue and an invisible vise squeezes my spine. “I won’tlethim.” It comes out a near snarl. The thought of him hurting her raises a beast in my chest I’ve only recently met. The same monster arose when that guy assaulted Cinder.
It’s a feral protective animal who would chew off its own arm if it meant protecting her.
The reaction continues to surprise and throw me off balance.
The bar owner studies me. Her sharp green eyes seem to search my entire inner being like some kind of scanner. “You should tell her.”
For a heart stopping second, I don’t know what she means. Or rather, I fear what she means.
Tell her how you feel.
But then my senses return as I come back to our conversation. Rap means I should tell Cinder about the part she is playing.
Cinder is still under the assumption I’m rebelling against my role and trying to stick it to my dad.
Having her believe I’m the thoughtless, petty, unconcerned prince everyone thinks I am is better.
Better for her or for you?A voice in my head asks.
Better because if she thinks there is more to me, it might make things more serious. Even more serious than a coup and a murder investigation. Fae lords forbid anyone think I’m serious and capable.
Though that’s exactly what I'm trying to convince the Mice of.
A commotion outside has Rap up and across the room, swinging the door open.
One of the security guards walks past her toward the locker room. Cinder clutches his arm as he escorts her there. Her faceis drawn, a sickly shade, as she stumbles. The security guard steadies her, making sure she doesn’t fall over.
I shoot out of my chair and am behind Rap in less than a second. She won’t move out of my way, her body and arms blocking my exit.
“What’s wrong?” I demand.
Rap’s head tilts toward me. “She’ll be fine. She just needs a minute.”
“What’s wrong,” I growl out at her.
Rap stares at me with merciless passivity. Her gaze openly communicates that she doesn’t owe me shit and she doesn’t intend to tell me. “Guess you don’t know everything either.”
Chapter 23
A Romantic Stroll in a Graveyard
CHARMING
CHARMING
“Why are my friends so obsessed with you?” Cinder asks with that searing judgment in her eyes.
