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“—on the current political climate of Kandala. If you are to be in the palace, you simply must know the key players. Once complete, you will return here to dress for dinner, which will likely be a private affair with Prince Corrick, though I have advised him it should be done in a public location . . .”
He keeps talking, but I’ve stopped listening.
A private affair with Prince Corrick. In a public location.
My mouth has gone dry. Last night was bad enough in the confines of his bedchamber. When we were truly alone, he wasn’t quite as frightening, but that’s like saying a ravenous wolf is only slightly less terrifying because it’s in the midst of a meal.
I can only imagine what Corrick must be like in public, the King’s Justice in the presence of his people.
With a start, I realize I don’t need to imagine it. I watched the execution that ended in cries for rebellion.
I don’t want to dine with that Prince Corrick.
“Tessa.” Quint is looking at me. I don’t know how much I’ve missed, but I’m guessing it was a lot.
Idon’t care. I force my eyes to meet his. “How can you be his friend?” I whisper.
Quint closes his little book and studies me. “You were his friend, too, weren’t you?”
“No. I was . . . ?I was friends with a man who doesn’t exist. A . . . ? a trick. An illusion.”
“Are you so sure?”
Of course I’m sure.
But then I think of those few moments when the prince smiled, or when his voice gentled, or when he wasn’t being violent and instead treated me with thoughtful consideration. Ask your question, Tessa. When the guise of Prince Corrick seemed like a mask that Weston Lark hid behind.
I’m not sure of anything at all.
Maybe he can read it on my face. Quint pulls his pocket watch free. “Shall we go?”
My heart wants to fall through the floor. “Is the Hold still an option?”
“The Hold is always an option.” He offers me his arm.
I hesitate. I still want to panic and run. If this were Corrick in front of me, I probably would.
Quint leans in a bit. “I don’t recommend it,” he says softly.
So I steel my spine and take his arm.
