AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
That evening,I paced the floor of Graham’s room, re-reading the day’s news with rising fury.
After only two days in prison, Bryn Yarrow was removed for questioning and has not been returned. The Academy is working to locate the source of the breach . . .
The words blurred and my head spun. For some reason—the Academy’s edits, perhaps—Graham’s prison appearance hadn’t been made public, but after Maeve’s tirade this morning, she obviously knew he’d been involved.
I blinked hard and skipped to the next paragraph.
The head librarian of the Irvine Library has a firsthand account from her time working with Yarrow. Mrs. Eleanor Whitting reported the following to the Cambrian Tribune:
“I never liked her. I caught her trying to ingratiate herself with the young heir and dismissed her on the spot. When I witnessed her lurking in Sir Brennin’s carriage, it was clear that she had more deadly motives. It’s quite possible that only the interference of our dedicated Law Enforcers saved his life that day.”
I tossed the newspaper to the floor and crossed my arms, wishing I could take back all the free work I did for that woman in the library.
Graham sat in an armchair, absorbed in the Academy’s book.
I’d spent too much time here. If I didn’t take Graham to Cael’s boat within the next twenty-four hours, Cael wouldn’t be able to deliver him to Tramore before the ships launched. I was starting to think I should just get out and save myself while I had the chance. Every time the city’s bells signaled a new hour, my hope sank lower.
“Did you know there used to be lamps that worked without fire?” Graham asked. “And machines that rivaled the human mind?”
I’d read about those things in the book the day before and seen the drawings of the strange devices, but they seemed like a fantasy. If we ever had such useful things, why wouldn’t we still? My reply was on my tongue when the doorknob rattled.
Graham took a sharp breath and got to his feet, tucking the book under a cushion. I went to the closet and gave him a dramatic salute for luck before shutting myself inside.
“Why is your dooralwayslocked?” Maeve yelled from the corridor.
Graham turned the lock and opened the door with a creak. He was braver than I would’ve been.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Imperatrix?”
The sudden smack of a palm on skin greeted his question. I winced for Graham’s sake.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” said the queen.
When Graham spoke, his voice was surprisingly calm. “Fine. I know what you came here for.”
Maeve groaned. “After all you’ve done, I can’t believe you actually have the gall to dangle a preposition. You’re as dense as a commoner. I don’t have time for this.”
“You always seem to have time for a grammar lesson.”
“Shut your mouth and listen.” In contrast to her ear-splitting shrieks from earlier, this tone was deeper and more menacing. I almost preferred the screams. “You are onverydangerous ground. A prison guard paid us a visit this morning.” The crinkle of a newspaper followed her words. “You not only forged the king’s signature and removed a dangerous criminal from prison, but after readingthis, I’m beginning to wonder if you may even be hiding her!”
“I didn’t forge—”
“Don’t lie to me! The king would never do such a thing without consulting me.”
“Honestly, I didn’t forge anything. Go ask him yourself if you don’t believe me.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Our guards say no prisoner was delivered. They did say one of the Ruskins visited, however, which isverycurious.”
I put my face in my hands. She had to be connecting the dots.
“The young Lady Ruskin came to offer her respects to the king.”
I dropped my hands, marveling at how naturally he answered. His lying had improved since his last attempt.
“Oh, I seriously doubt it! Everyone knows the Ruskins’ loyalty is to the Strouds, not us. The only possible explanation is that she’s trying to present herself as an eligible—ugh, it makes my blood boil! Next thing we know, Mara Stroud will be trying to win your affection.”
