‘But you don’t know why he’s done it. You don’t—’
‘Alice!’ Hugh cried out.
Eldric’s knowing smirk was gone. His expression was stunned. ‘There’s more?’
‘Alice, don’t.’ Hugh shook his head, his expression fierce. ‘As a friend. Protect her. If you think it’s luck that Edward chose her, then downplay her role in this. Tell the King of her failed attempts. Sever our connection. Keep her safe.’
Eldric pushed himself off the wall. ‘It’s luck. It has to be. I’ve been counting on it.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m not going to kill you, or drag her into this. While you were both pining for each other, some of us were actually planning how to survive once you revealed your feelings.’
‘If I were dressed, I would show you planning,’ Hugh stated.
‘I rather like you helpless. And you won’t be able to kill me once you hear my plan.’
‘You intend to help us?’ Alice said.
‘That’sallI’ve been doing—but you were both taking so long, and I had to be sure.’
‘Of what?’ Hugh said.
‘Of where your loyalties lie.’
‘They lie with the King.’
Eldric raised a brow. ‘While you trade secrets with the Scots?’
‘You do know a lot.’
‘Know this, the King only suspects you have the Seal. I doubted it, and told him so. Throughout your time in Swaffham, your actions of following her made me believe it to be true. This conversation is only confirming it.’
Alice sound was of dismay. ‘Tell him why.’
‘No.’ Hugh swung his gaze to her. ‘I’m a dead man either way, Alice. At least this way I’m keeping some of my vows, some of my honour.’
She couldn’t stay quiet any more. ‘Tellhim. Or I will. You both act like enemies, but you’re friends, aren’t you?’
Eldric shrugged. ‘I’ve sent no message to the King.’
‘I can’t trust that,’ Hugh said.
‘Didn’t I ask if we were friends? Didn’t I carefully, throughout this dance you have both played, examine the information? I flirted with Alice that first night, which confirmed your attachment. I watched you sneak into rooms with her, followed you when you left the church that day.’
‘I’m still helping the King.’
‘I know. But if we are friends, I’d like to know why you’re doing it.’ Eldric replied. ‘It makes no sense to me.’
‘Tell him, Hugh,’ Alice pleaded.
Hugh gave a curt shake of his head. ‘It will only make matters worse.’
‘Right now I understand that both you and I are dead anyway,’ she said. ‘How could it be worse?’
‘Not only for us, but also for Eldric.’
Alice’s eyes widened, and she gave a curt nod.
