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“Why would she? I’m not going to be king anymore.”
“Don’t change the subject.” She managed to keep her voice under control, unlike her outburst this morning, but hatred seeped through every word. “You’ve brought suspicion on our house. Your foolishness will surely destroy your reputation.”
“I didn’t have much of a reputation to lose, thanks to you,” he said.
“Don’t you dare try to blame me!” The shrillness returned for a moment, but then Maeve’s voice dropped to her lowest register once more. “Where is the prisoner?”
“I left her in the custody of Enforcers outside the prison. Perhaps she escaped, but I don’t know where she is.”
I crouched in the dark and waited for her to respond. Did she believe him? Or did I need to get ready to run?
“Even if the king acted without my permission, which I doubt, why would he sendyouto retrieve a dangerous criminal?”
I waited with shallow breaths for the silence to pass. It seemed Graham didn’t have a good lie this time.
“Let’s pay him a visit. Come with me,” said the queen.
Footsteps left the room, echoing down the corridor until I was alone.
I stayed hidden in the closet, anxious for Graham’s return. I sat with my knees to my chest, trying to calm my growing fears as the room remained silent for much longer than I’d expected.
I rested my back against the wall, a row of suits hanging in front of me. I debated running while I had the chance, but I couldn’t leave without talking to Graham. I tried to tell myself it was okay, that he would be back and then we’d leave together, but I didn’t have the ability to believe my own lies.
As the hours passed, my eyes began to burn and I let them close, soon falling into nightmares that seemed pleasant compared to reality.
Footsteps echoed through my dreams until they were right outside the door. I jerked awake, my neck cracking and my back aching. I must’ve been asleep for hours.
“You can come out now.” Graham’s voice was quiet and weak.
I jumped to my feet and opened the door. Weak morning light filled the room. Graham sat in a chair with his head back and his eyebrows furrowed above red-rimmed eyes. His hands were clasped over his chest.
My heart sped up. “What happened? Did your father—”
He opened his eyes, revealing the sheen of emotion. A new concern took over, but I couldn’t bring myself to ask the question on my lips.
“He wouldn’t wake up,” he said.
Dread left me empty. I dropped into the chair next to Graham, watching him carefully. “So he’s . . . gone?”
“Not yet. He seems to be in a coma. The doctor says if he doesn’t wake up in the next few hours, he’s not likely to wake up at all.”
Still alive. I ignored my reservations and reached out to pat Graham’s hand because I would’ve needed the comfort if I were in his place. He didn’t move or respond, and I let go, feeling the shame in my veins.
He grasped my hand just as I pulled it away, warm and tight in his grip. He smiled weakly. “I’m glad you’re here, Bryn.”
I wasn’t so glad. How soon would guards be here to break down the door? Or was Maeve too distracted by the king’s sudden turn?
I stayed by Graham, holding his hand without speaking. I was afraid of the unwanted impact my sympathy could bring, but the overwhelming compassion was too strong. I had to stay here, at least for now. There were some things I couldn’t bear to think about. Losing my father was at the top of that list.
“I’m afraid they’ll be searching for you soon,” he finally said, breaking the silence.
“I was about to leave.”
He looked up from the floor and met my eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”
I nodded, trying to keep my misery from surfacing. A sudden urge to tell him everything struck me, but shame—and probably wisdom—held my tongue. No matter what I said, it wouldn’t save him. I picked up my bag and put it over my shoulder.
“You’re not going back to Tramore, are you?” His eyes lit up with urgency, and perhaps the tiniest bit of hope.
