I was more curious than shocked.
Bethel moved away from Fox Boy, her eyes on Cillian and his hammer.
‘Perhaps you should pull your breeches up?’I suggested to the somewhat stunned, very excited young man.
‘Actually, you need to take them off and hand me the rest of your uniform.’Cillian lifted his hammer threateningly.
I looked at Cillian, confused.Why were we here to steal clothes?Then, I saw the uniform on the floor, and understanding hit me.Fox Boy was in the king’s guard.
‘What do you think you are doing?’screeched Bethel.
Fox Boy handed over his uniform, keeping a close eye on Cillian, who still had his enormous hammer raised.Cillian allowed the boy to keep his undergarments so he wouldn’t be completely naked.
‘Can you find something to tie him to that chair?’he asked.
I nodded and searched Bethel’s room.I was pleased to find actual rope tying back the drapes surrounding Bethel’s bed.A sword was propped up in the corner, so I grabbed it and tossed it out the door.Fox Boy didn’t look stupid enough to try something, but he wasfoolish enough to be messing around with the king’s future daughter-in-law days before her wedding.
I used my knife to cut the rope and had Fox Boy’s arms and legs tied to the chair in no time.Unfortunately for him, I tied a perfect knot.He wasn’t going anywhere.
‘Why are you doing this?’Bethel demanded.
‘I need to borrow your new friend’s uniform for the night, and you …’ Cillian moved towards Bethel threateningly.
‘No!’Fox Boy started shouting and pulling at the ropes.I picked up a nearby washcloth and shoved it in his mouth.Before he could spit it out, I found one of Bethel’s endless supply of ribbons and tied it around his head in an enormous bow.
‘Thank you, my love.’
I beamed at Cillian, proud of my handiwork.
‘All I was going to say before your friend rudely interrupted me, was that you better keep your mouth shut, or your betrothed will hear about what you have been doing with one of his father’s guards.’
Bethel’s face turned white.
‘Don’t even think of untying him.’Cillian’s eyes narrowed.‘Understand?’He stepped closer to Bethel, his hammer swinging ever so slightly beside him.
She nodded quickly.Cillian could be just as intimidating as Torgrin when he wanted to be.
I heard the main door open and the sound of boots on the marble entrance floor.Cillian turned to me and frowned.
I left the room and took up Fox Boy’s sword.I unsheathed it quietly and headed to the living area.Holding my breath, I stood just behind the door, waiting for another sound.Nothing.I stepped to the side to get a glimpse of the room when the glint of a sword caught my eye, and I swiftly raised mine to meet it.
‘Caris!’Torgrin shouted as our swords crossed with a loud clang.Behind him, dressed in Capita soldier’s uniforms, were Tomas and Rhett.
‘Why are you all here?’I asked as we lowered our swords.
‘We thought something was wrong when Cillian hadn’t shown up at midnight.’Torgrin put his sword away.‘Did Bethel’s lover boy show up tonight?’Torgrin must have known Bethel had been having a nightly visitor.Nothing gets past him, it seems.
‘He did.’Cillian came into the room holding Fox Boy’s uniform.
‘Good, but we won’t be able to go at dawn,’ Torgrin said tersely.
‘Why?’Cillian paused, taking off his shirt.
‘Our informant sent a message to say the Order is conducting another interview with Queen Yaris at dawn.’
My gut twisted at the thought.‘She won’t survive more torture!’
Torgrin didn’t even try to argue.He had seen how weak she was.But she would be highly guarded tonight, and it was decided that nothing could be done.Freeing the queen would have to wait until the following evening.
