Chapter 31

31

Ella

I hurried down the darkened passage, bumping into a man and muttering a quick apology, not bothering to stop. My cheek stung, but it paled compared to the tight ache in my chest.

Why was I so upset?

I was used to getting scolded and beaten by the sisters, but for some reason, this time was different. This time, he'd seen.

The shame of it burned me almost as much as my anger did. He'd just stood there, judging me like I was nothing but a foolish, insubordinate servant girl, and he'd done nothing .

I pushed through an unassuming doorway and stepped onto the narrow balcony overlooking the kitchen's herb garden. I'd discovered it the night before while scouting the castle, and though it was overgrown with ivy, it was quiet and private, and seemingly forgotten.

The fresh air cooled my heated cheek but did little to temper my rising anger.

What did I expect? He was the embodiment of this cursed kingdom, after all. He'd never spared an ounce of pity for his subjects, let alone servants, so why would he now?

Because, for a moment, I'd thought I'd seen something different in him.

I'd been wrong.

With a deep sigh, I tipped my head back and gazed up at the stars. "I need to stop thinking about him."

He'd filled my thoughts for days, a constant distraction. He didn't matter. What mattered was finding the truth of what was going on in this place, and that meant keeping a low profile and taking whatever they threw at me. I'd endure until Belle was free, and the imprisoned mages, too—if they were here at all.

I gave the night sky one last look, then headed inside. Katherine caught me as I was heading into the laundry room. "The sisters are looking for you."

By her expression, I knew it was going to be bad, but there was no point in running or delaying. If I wanted to make a difference, I had to face them head-on.

The twin devils were waiting for me when I entered Lorayna's chambers.

Bianca craned her head around, her cheeks red and puffy. "You evil little snitch! You spoke to him, didn't you?" She stomped toward me, her finger extended like a dagger. "Told him lies so that he'd take you off our service."

The blood drained from my face, and my skin felt tight. "Wait, what? No."

"Liar!" Bianca shrieked.

Lorayna pushed her sister away like she was an insolent child, which wasn't far from the truth. "Shut up, Bi. You heard what the prince said. While I'd be delighted if he peeled the skin from your back, it would only make my time here worse than it already is."

My mind reeled. Had the prince threatened Bianca for hitting me? The fury in his expression took on a new light.

Lorayna loomed over me, the rich scent of her magnolia perfume burning my nose. "You might think you're being smart, but you've just dug your own grave."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I'm not sure I understand what you're saying, my lady. This must be a misunderstanding because I didn't tell the prince anything."

Bianca scoffed as she tore shreds of fabric from the wrinkled dress I'd washed for her. "No, you just made sure to provoke me while he was watching so that he'd take you off our service ."

Oh, hell. Was I being fired? I still had important work I needed to do here. "I didn't know?—"

"Stop speaking," Lorayna snapped. "You're on his service now, so you're his problem. I don't have to listen to your incessant bleating anymore."

"You mean I'm not dismissed? I'll work for the prince now?"

"As his whore." Lorayna's lips curled up in a cruel smile as my eyes widened in shock. She gripped my chin, her perfectly manicured nails digging into my skin. "You are nothing more than a plaything to the prince. Do you understand that? A meaningless toy." She released her grip and shoved me back.

"That's right." Bianca smirked. "You don't have any bite marks yet, but you will. As soon as he's done fucking you and draining you dry, he'll discard you. You're trash ."

Panic ignited my senses.

"Aww," Lorayna said with pity. "Does that hurt? Did you think the prince wanted you on his service because he likes you?"

Bianca shrieked with laughter.

My head spun. Surely the prince wouldn't do those things, would he? Rumors were that he never drank from the vein and seldom took mistresses. He had a will of iron and stood aloof from the debauchery of the castle.

For a moment, I thought of the man portrayed on the ceiling of the ballroom, drenched with blood and wrapped in a carnal embrace. The male in that painting—that wasn't him. Everything about Cassius screamed coiled restraint . He would never lay a hand on me, not unless I allowed it.

My breathing quickened. But what if he asked? What would I say? A million thoughts raced through my head.

Lorayna circled me like a vulture. "While the prince has insisted that you continue your work at the stables, you should remember that accidents happen all the time around dumb animals."

Bianca had stopped her howling and watched gleefully as her sister taunted me.

"A horse goes wild, your foot slips in shit, a saddle strap comes undone…" Lorayna continued with a hint of amusement. "I hope you don't end up crippled. Or dead. Considering the dangers of the job, I give you less than a week."

"In case you don't understand what Lorayna's saying," Bianca added, gesturing between herself and her sister, "we have the power to end you at a moment's notice."

Yeah. I got that.

How in the Fates was I going to keep them from murdering me in my sleep or tormenting me every chance they got?

My eyes flicked from one to the next. "Perhaps there's a way that I can make this arrangement beneficial to you."

Bianca frowned, but Lorayna paused thoughtfully. "Go on."

"Well," I said calmly, "he must be considering you both to be the next queen. Perhaps I'll overhear something of value or rumors about your competitors."

"So, you'll spy to keep us from snapping your neck?"

I was already doing it for the resistance. I could feed them other tidbits or just lie.

Lorayna's hazel eyes glittered. "I want more than just information about any potential suitors. I want to know his whereabouts and who he talks to."

Of course she did.

"I don't care who he talks to if it's not to me ," Bianca said.

I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. "I could even put in a good word about you two. Subtly, of course."

Bianca perked at that. "Yes, you could tell him about my hobbies."

Her sister glared back at her. "You have no hobbies, fool sister. Besides, the prince has no interest in you."

Bianca swooped up the trinkets on the coffee table and began lobbing them at Lorayna. "He does, too! You have no idea the secrets we've shared."

I dodged a porcelain figurine that almost took my eye out, while Lorayna caught a painted gold egg. "Enough, Bianca! I don't have time for your endless tantrums." She turned to me, her expression stern. "You have your orders, girl. Spy on the prince. Tell us everything you learn, and do not get caught."

"Yes, my lady. I will do as I'm told."

"Good. And I expect daily updates on your progress."

That would prove troublesome, but I nodded.

I made my way toward the door, weaving around the destruction caused by Bianca, when the destructor herself added, "And don't forget to put in a good word for me."

Oh, I absolutely would not.

My mind was spinning as I hurried out of the room, excitement thrumming under my skin. Not only was I about to be free of the sisters, but this was my way into the royal tower. It was a chance to spy and search for the imprisoned mages—to finally get the answers I was looking for.