It would be easier to just knock on Marcel’s door. I’m certain I could seduce my way in, toy with him a bit and wait for the poison to carry him to sleep, but sneaking in means there will be no traces back to me. It also means not waking up to himin the morning only to convince him that something happened between us, or worse, something actually happening between us.
Iann’s face comes into view, the image of him tightening my stomach. Guilt twists like a dagger in the back but I submerge the feeling.
If I ever want out of here, I need to fulfill the Queen’s requests and pretend to be on her side until the opportunity to leave arises.
“Not at all.” I pull out my fox mask hanging in the wardrobe. “I’m sure I don’t have much of a choice though, so it doesn’t matter.”
“You still have one. She’ll just ensure you suffer if you choose incorrectly.” She gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go,” she whispers before slipping on a mask of her own. One that is as black as coal with pointed ears and traces of silver. One that’s perfect for her dress. “He should be heading back to his room soon.”
Instead of going out of the door like normal people, we take the window. From Chana’s small balcony we begin scaling the wall using the protruding stones to help us climb our way to the top. Thankfully, being on the third floor makes a very short climb to the roof. The darkness is an added bonus because it prevents me from seeing the ground. I’ve never been afraid of heights but would rather not look down if given the chance.
“This way,” Chana says once we pull ourselves up and start running on the flat gravel roof. White light is the only thing to guide us from one end of the wing to the other.
Once we’re over the west wing she leads us to the edge and looks below. “That’s his room.” She turns to me as I place the mask on and tie up my hair, until all curls are in a tight bun. She looks down at my chest, at the necklace, before taking a rope and double knotting it around a nearby pillar, like she’s done this several times over. “Better get going. She’ll be watching soon.”
Wanting this night to be over, I don’t hesitate to grab the rope and use it to help me lower myself onto the balcony.
Once my feet hit the ground, I linger in the corner trying to get a better view of the darkened room. When I’m sure Marcel isn’t inside, I make my way through the unlatched door.
No one has lit any of the lanterns or candles that stand plentifully around the room;the only light that comes in is from the moon and the slit underneath the door, leading to the hallway.
His room is practically a replica of Iann’s. Most of the guest rooms are, which makes it easier to know where I need to go.
I rush to the liquor tray and find several options to tamper with. Through the handful of dinners I’ve had with Marcel, never once have I seen him touch wine, so I skip that. Instead, he always has the servers bring him a glass of bourbon.
I pull out the vial Sky gave me and shake two drops inside the decanter. To ensure this plan works, I grab one of the folded napkins and soak a corner in poison. With the damp spot, I run it around the rim of both glasses on the tray.
“You are a selfish individual. Do you know that?” Nearing voices send me jumping, almost causing me to spill the rest of the poison.
The voices come closer and I hop into a wardrobe in the corner. The door slams open and two bickering souls enter before the door closes.
Through a partial slit in the wardrobe doors, I see a servant who rushes to light the lanterns in the room as Marcel comes into view. His deep brown eyes are dark, darker than usual and his face is twisted with bitter displeasure.
Trailing behind him, and the one doing all the talking is Eli. Eli?
“You’ve done this to him once before. Might I remind you of Thana? How can you do this again?”
Marcel goes straight to the liquor tray and pops the cork to the bourbon.
“You may go now,” he says to the servant and then remains quiet until the door shuts and the footsteps trail away. “As I’ve stated a dozen times, I don’t know what you’re referring to Deean. If our brother has an issue, he’s welcome to come complain to me himself.”
I sink farther into the wardrobe. King Marcel’s letter is making much more sense now. The missing son. The laxed way Eli speaks to, and around, Iann, even the extra person in their party. All three Saden princes are here.
My hand flies to the necklace. It’s still yellow, but now I’m wondering if it’s broken. Surely the Queen will be watching me by now.
“You know he has an interest in the Queen’s lady. Or are you so caught up in your own interests?”
Marcel finishes the alcohol in one sip. His Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallows the poison down.
“This discussion is over some Haymelian wench? They’re all fickle and of little interest to me. The Queen suggested one and I said yes without thought. As our brother should. We’ll be gone in two days’ time and never have to see this place or any of these people again. Why does he care so much about one girl, especially one whom he barely knows?”
“Is that what you told yourself when you slept with Thana? While our brother was out looking for riches for your future kingdom nonetheless.” Deean crosses the room in three long strides. Right until he’s cozied up in his brother’s face. They are nose to nose and not one of them is backing down. “You are going to make a piss poor king. Your selfish ambitions will be the fall of Saden.”
Marcel squints. “Better my prideful ambitions than those of a drunk.” He shoves Deean back until his knees hit the side ofthe bed and he has nowhere else to go. “I should have sent you back when I had the chance. I didn’t, for Iann, you know. He’s the only one who still has hope in your pitiful ass. Like I said, I don’t give a damn about whatever her name is.” Rude. He steps back like he’s losing his balance. Oh no, the poison is setting in and I need Deean to leave. “I’m tired. Get out of here,” he orders, turning back to the tray and leaning against the table it’s set upon.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing, Deean. We’re done here.”
