Page 45 of Only Flames Remain

“I have to admit, I love my new position. Queen Dyata got lucky securing it for me. I learned so much about the kingdom in merely one day, so much that was never mentioned in any history books in Myros. Gothryn is nothing like I expected.”

That had been my impression so far, too. I smiled, knowing she would love working in the library. It was the perfect position for her. “I’m glad one of us likes their position.”

“Where did you end up?” she asked. “I tried to check in on you after the indenture market closed, but the historian I am shadowing, Noor, strictly forbade me from leaving the library. She did, however, show me to your quarters after our day was done.”

“You will never believe it…” I told her with an exasperated sigh. “Belly of the beast, indeed.”

“No!” she gasped, clapping her hand against my leg.

I tried my best not to wince. Enora always forgot that I was human, and such an action could truly hurt. I nodded.

“I am the handmaid to Crown Prince Sorin Blackwater, the black dragon of Gothryn.”

“Aveline, this is great news!” She beamed.

“Is it?” I asked, falling back against the pillow.

“Yes!” she insisted. “You have access to his personal quarters!” Her voice lowered, unsure if we could be heard beneath the closed door. “That should make this a breeze. Nobody will ever know it was you!”

I shook my head. “He has his sister, Voirel, watching over me. I’m not alone. Not to mention she said I am currently the hottest topic of gossip at court...”

“He has a sister? Now that is certainly not in the history books.”

“She is not a royal. They share a mother, but not a father,” I replied.

“Makes sense.” Enora nodded before turning to lay down and face me. “I would love to tell you all about my day in the library, but that isn’t why I came.”

“It isn’t?” I asked, the exhaustion clear in my voice.

She shook her head. “There is a gathering at a tavern in Ravenwood tonight…” Her voice trailed off as she registered my expression, but she pressed on. “I wasn’t suggesting we go to the party. I was suggesting we use the party as a pretense to leave the castle and visit the market in Ravenwood to procure…wares. If you catch my drift.”

Poisons.

“How will we escape the castle without anyone noticing?” I asked, pressing a pillow to my chest and allowing my eyes to close.

“That’s the thing…we aren’t prisoners here, Aveline. We are indentures. We are here to work, but we aren’t under lock and key. We are free to come and go as we please, as long as it does not interfere with our work.”

“We—what?” That was not how things worked in Myros. Not at all.

Humans were servants and were certainly not allowed to come and go as they pleased. We were always told that things were even harsher here in Gothryn—that we were lucky to be in Myros where humans weren’t treated so poorly.

Enora nodded. “I know. It goes against everything we were taught. But humans are simply a part of the working class. Yes, I will admit, they do not hold a higher social ranking than they do in Myros. But you are free to leave the castle as long as you return.”

I imagined it might have something to do with the fact that the princes were dragon shifters and had wings, and therefore their eyes were everywhere. All I wanted was to fall into this uncomfortable bed and fall asleep, but I knew Enora was right. We needed a good alibi to leave the castle, and this was as good as any. I only had a few more days of my own tincture left. I needed ingredients not only for the prince, but for myself.

I rose from the bed with a huffed protest and Enora clapped her hands together. “I am so excited to explore!”

“And you don’t think it suspicious we are supposed to be attending a gathering in Ravenwood, but are traversing the streets and shops instead?”

Enora shrugged. “We are merely fresh off a vessel from a neighboring kingdom and don’t know our way around yet.”

“All right,” I agreed reluctantly, turning toward the trunk at the end of the bed. I had packed light, and the only things I owned were dresses. That didn’t seem appropriate for a covert mission such as this. “One question—” I turned to Enora with mischief in my gaze.

“What’s that?” she asked, scratching Quinnick’s belly so that his leg thumped against the wall, his tongue lolling out of his mouth.

I grinned at her. “What ever will I wear?”

CHAPTER 14