“What?” I yelp.
The butler pops his head in the door, an eyebrow raised to ask if I need help. I shake my head, and he disappears again.
A devilish grin brightens Kian’s face. “Yes, exactly.”
“Have you gone mad?” I whisper.
“If we elope, my father can’t force me to marry Princess Helene, and your stepmother won’t be able to do anything about it. If she tells your secret, it will only make her look bad for marrying into such a scandalous family.”
“Won’t an elopement be scandal enough?” I gasp.
“Don’t forget, I do have a reputation in court of being somewhat unpredictable.”
“Ha,” I scoff. “No one will believe you’ve given up all your conquests forme.”
Kian frowns. “Stop that, Rae. Do you even realize how beautiful you are? How kind, witty, and intelligent? If anything, all of court will be jealous they didn’t get to you first. You’ll have no trouble at all finding someone willing tomeet your needs.”
He winks, but his words turn sour in my ears. He doesn’t know me, and I can’t even begin to grasp the idea of trying to have a secret relationship while married to the prince. I’ll just be alone. I’m used to it.
“If I agree to this elopement,” I whisper conspiratorially, “how do you propose we make it happen? Stepmother will never allow me to just waltz out the door with you.”
“We meet later tonight in the gardens,” he says. “When everyone is asleep, we leave. I will find a priestess to marry us at first light.”
A flutter of excitement fills me. Is this it? Will I finally make my escape?
“Okay . . .” I say hesitantly.
“Now, there is something I need from you.”
I quirk a brow. “What could I possibly have to offer you?”
“Has your Father ever mentioned the lost god Kyros to you?”
The sudden change of subject throws me for a loop. My forehead crinkles as I ponder. “Not directly,” I reply.
“What do you mean?” Kian asks.
“Well, one time, there were a few notes on his desk mentioning the gods, and I heard him muttering something once about repercussions when he didn’t realize I was around.”
Kian leans in, his interest clearly piqued. “Do you happen to know if he kept any of those notes?”
What an odd question. I think back and shake my head. “They were mostly just scribbles on a map, but I never saw them again after that one time. I’m sorry.”
Kian deflates. “No worries. I thought he might have information I’ve been looking for, but it sounds like he doesn’t.”
“It’s a shame he’s gone and I can’t ask him for you.”
“That’s all right, Rae. Don’t trouble yourself with it.”
A memory pops unbidden into my head. The evening I caught the masked man in Father’s office weeks ago.Isthere something of importance hidden there? Something to do with the lost god? I’m about to say something but pause. While I’ve trusted the prince with the secret of my scandalous parentage, I’m still only getting to know him.
“I’m sorry if that’s not the answer you were looking for,” I say.
“It’s fine,” he reiterates. “All right then, as far as tonight, I’ll meet you in the garden when the clock strikes twelve. Will that work for you?”
I nod, almost unwilling to believe this is happening. I’m getting out.
As soon as Kian leaves,Stepmother swoops into the parlor and starts interrogating me. I lie through my teeth—what else is there to do?
