Chapter 31

CHAPTER 31

WREN

Wren couldn't get out of the room fast enough.

One minute Roland was calling her a queen, and the next he was dismissing her like a servant. How dare he?

Lynette was still waiting outside and Anselm was a little further down the corridor, but she pushed by them both and ran before the threatened tears spilled from her eyes and made an absolute fool of her. She was doing that just well enough by herself. They didn't follow her, she noticed, and felt a strange sense of gratitude. Back in the healers' hall, her room had already been stripped, but her book was still there waiting for her. She grabbed it, holding it against the locket, close to her heart, and fought to stay upright. All the air seemed to have left her body and she couldn't pull any more in.

‘I don't know,' said a voice outside. One of the healers, she supposed. She didn't recognise it. ‘You'd imagine most girls would be delighted to find out they were really a princess.'

‘It must have been a dreadful shock though, if she really didn't know.'

‘Do you actually believe that?' The first voice laughed. ‘I don't think so. She knew. She had to. If Queen Aeryn really did raise her, she would have prepared her. I think it's an act. I wouldn't be surprised if she's just another fraud.'

‘I can't imagine one could take in the Grandmaster himself. He's been notoriously hard on pretenders.'

‘Yes, but this one's supposedly his bastard daughter, isn't it? Suits him, I'm sure.' And they laughed. Nastily.

Wren stood frozen to the spot, praying they would keep walking and not look inside. She didn't want them to see her, to know that she'd heard them. She just wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. That was what people thought of her then. That was what people were already saying.

Her only consolation was that if Roland de Silvius heard their gossip or heard about what they were saying, he'd probably pound them into the ground with his bare hands.

No, this wasn't happening, couldn't be happening. She had to get out of here. He just saw her as some kind of tool for power and control. Elodie had known all along. She couldn't trust him. The words in the book had been right.

Wren had thought it meant Finn but of course it didn't. She could trust Finn. But Roland was another matter altogether.

And now he wanted to put Wren on a throne to which she had no right, or no inclination. What would Elodie say?

No. Wren didn't even have to open the book to get the answer to that.

She had to leave. She had to get out of this place before it was too late and she was never able to do anything for herself again. She had to go now. She didn't even have much to take with her. Just the clothes on her back – not exactly practical for travelling, but the Seven Sisters weren't far. She just had to keep going. Or maybe she could find something else to wear. There had to be a store room somewhere.

Everywhere she went people would stare. Oh, some of them would try not to be too obvious. Damn it, they'd all report back to her so-called father as to what she was up to. She needed to get out of here fast.

But Lynette was waiting outside in the hallway. ‘Oh good, there you are,' she said when Wren emerged. A sinking feeling dragged the pit of her stomach even further down. ‘I'll show you to your quarters.'

‘My quarters?'

‘Well you can't stay here. The healers need the bed. I've set a room aside for you in my house, as your father requested.' She smiled gently. ‘It must have been wonderful to meet him after so long.'

It wasn't. Not in the slightest. And he wasn't her father. He couldn't be. Just as Elodie was not her mother. No matter how much Wren had wanted it to be true. This was all some terrible mistake and she was going to have to get away before she could untangle it.

‘Yes, wonderful,' Wren replied hollowly. ‘Where is your house?' If it was nearer the walls she might have a chance. And a private house wouldn't be quite so guarded, would it? Oh, it couldn't be. She had to get out of here. As soon as it was dark.

But the thought of nightfall made her think of darkness and shadows and another chill swept through her. If they ever found out what she had done…

Elodie would understand. She'd be disappointed, sure, but Wren had spent her whole life disappointing Elodie. That didn't mean Elodie wouldn't help her fix it all again. That was what they always did.

Lynette wrapped her arm through Wren's and smiled, delighted with herself. ‘Don't you worry. I'll make sure everything you need is ready for you as soon as we arrive in Pelias. I've lived in the court all my life until I married Yvain, and my mother was the most accomplished lady-in-waiting. It will all be fine, you'll see.'

As soon as we arrive in Pelias? Oh no. She couldn't…

‘What about your husband? Don't you have a life here?'

Lynette just laughed. ‘A life here in Knightsford? You're joking. Compared to Pelias this place is a farmyard. Yvain and I will travel back as part of your entourage. Your safety will take all priority for the knights from this moment on and as a Paladin my husband will not leave your side until you are back in the bosom of the Aurum. None of them will. We'll take such good care of you. I promise.'

There was nothing else for it. Wren closed her eyes and counted to calm herself. She was going to have to get out of Knightsford tonight. She would have to be as polite and gracious and as quiet as she could possibly be all evening. If she wanted to allay any suspicion she had to be as cooperative as possible. Lynette showed her to her house, a tall and gracious tower building overlooking the main gate, but more importantly far from the central garrison building. Her first bit of luck. Wren saw Lynette's husband, Yvain, only briefly, a man as tall as Roland and as fair as his wife. He bowed graciously to her and excused himself, saying he had to go and speak with Roland. Plans were being drawn up for her security.

Then they were alone.

Wren claimed she was sleepy at the first opportunity and made off to the bedroom appointed for her.

It looked out over the walls, towards the rolling hills, and most importantly of all it would be a cinch to climb out of compared to her tower home. Wren changed out of the gown with its many layers and found a simple tunic and breeches instead. The only shoes were delicate slippers, but she'd gone barefoot enough times. It was better for climbing anyway.

She waited until full dark, when the guards were barely visible anymore, and slipped out of the window.