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“Send me home,” Wren demanded once more.
He took one large stride to her and she was forced to look up to meet his eyes. Gods, he was tall, even for her and she wasn’t short by any means.
“I don’t know what you discussed with my brother. He is content to be as quiet about it as you are, but I would caution you against trusting him. My brother only loves himself and everything he does is self-serving.”
“Sounds like a family trait,” she countered.
Cerulean eyes narrowed. “Don’t be selfish. This isn’t just about you anymore. There are kingdoms at play here and whether you want to be involved or not, you are.”
She shook her head. “It all means nothing to me. All I care about is getting home.”
Irritation flickered over him. “Then you would do well to get used to disappointment.”
Before she could cover up a retort he turned in one swift motion and made for the door. With his hand on the handle he said, “She does not leave this room unless I say, Sophie.”
Assuming Sophie to be compliant he opened the door and it slammed shut with a thud that made Wren’s body cringe. A gnawing and devouring feeling threaded itself through her body slowly consuming her. Sophie must have seen what was happening because she instantly wrapped her arms around Wren, but it was too late. The air had gone from her lungs and the panic had claimed her.
Chapter 5
Theclockabovethefireplace mantle ticked away endlessly. She had spent the rest of the day trapped in her room as were the crown prince’s orders. Sophie had attempted to teach her a few games and had brought her books, but she couldn’t tolerate any of it. Mostly, she just lay in bed and stared at the ceiling. After nightfall. That was what the younger prince had said. He would come for her and she would go to the lake and go home and forget this nightmare.
Banging at the door had her pushing her body up off of the downy bed, an alarm flooding her body. Their game was given away before she started. Would she be arrested for trying to flee? She was apparently married to the crown prince, would that save her from her treachery? Would he fault her for trying to get home? That at least she already knew the answer to. He had told her to get comfortable and to accept her position. That was something she could never do. She needed Cara back. Needed Georgie. Needed her aunt and uncle.
Sophie stood up from where she was reclined in a crimson chair in the corner, sheltered by the warmth of the fireplace. She placed the book she had been reading down on the cushion and shot Wren a cautionary glance. Wren understood the meaning well enough. This could be friend or foe and she suddenly regretted not asking more questions instead of just imagining herself back in her own bed. A glance out the paneled windows told her the sun was not yet down, but the orange hue of the sky promised it would be soon. It was too soon.
Sophie cautiously opened the door, its large wooden motif blocking her from seeing the person on the other side.
“Your presence has been requested by the crown prince. His highness will receive you in the throne room immediately,” a voice boomed.
“Give us a moment,” Sophie admonished.
“I was told just you, Lady,” he corrected.
Wren smiled despite her nerves. For some reason, she doubted Sophie appreciated being called a lady. It didn’t suit her any more than it suited Wren.
“Fine.” The door slammed in response and a string of curses followed Sophie across the room as she slipped her slippers on. When she was out of fresh words to name the crown prince she turned to Wren.
“I don’t know what he means by this, but stay right here and don’t open the door for anyone.” Seeing something in Wren’s face, Sophie stepped closer. “I mean it, Wren. I know he’s an ass, but he means well. He’s just not good at showing it. You can trust him and I hope that by now you know you can trust me. I can’t imagine what you have been feeling and what has gone through your mind, but we will sort it all out.”
Wren nodded, her throat suddenly gummy. The fact of the matter was that she did trust Sophie. From the moment she had arrived Sophie was the only one who had seemed to care about her. Unfortunately, that trust didn’t extend towards those she served. Her judgment was clearly clouded by friendship as she had called it.
“Thanks, Sophie,” Wren managed without choking.
The blond haired woman’s mouth turned down in a frown, but she seemed to decide against whatever she had been thinking about saying. When she was nearly to the door, the guilt Wren had been trying to push away rose, making her chest tight and heavy.
“Sophie.” She whirled around, her light gray dress and braid following behind. “Thank you. Thank you for being kind to me. I will always remember that.”
Her brows furrowed. “What made you say that?” Suspicion laced her words.
Wren shrugged her shoulders hoping it appeared as nonchalant as she wanted it to be. “I just felt like I had been unfair to you and that you should know.”
Her face smoothed as she accepted Wren’s answer, but instead of understanding there was a seriousness that formed over her youthful features. She was beautiful in a subtle way. Her jawline and cheekbones were molded with precision and her thin eyebrows neatly draped her dark blue eyes. She might have been breathtaking, but for her wide nose that seemed to dominate her petite face. Sophie put her hand on her hip, tilting her body with the motion. She was uncommonly short, but she always seemed to command the space around her.
“Let’s get one thing clear. You don’t owe anyone anything. You don’t owe Kai and you certainly don’t owe me. We earn your trust and you earn ours. That’s the way this works. Okay?”
If Wren hadn’t been feeling guilty before the pressure in her chest told her that she surely did now. “Okay,” she managed.
The other woman studied her as if convincing herself that Wren actually understood. “I’ll be back in a few.”
