He nods, as though satisfied with my answer.
“I think someone on the council was involved. Simply because if I’m gone, there’s no one in my direct line to pass the crown to. The council would rule my empire indefinitely. Until a new sovereign could be determined. I have many third cousins. They would have to battle for it. And it had to have been a noble or a member of the guard.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because the palace was in a lockdown the night of the late king and queen’s deaths. There was an insurgent group of peasants who were let into the palace, causing havoc. And no one save nobility would have been allowed into the safe room with my parents. When the room was opened, their bodies were found.”
“Where were you?” I ask.
“On the other side of the palace. I’d been engaged in a game of sport with other noblemen’s sons. We were taken to another safe room when the shooters were discovered to be within the palace.”
“But it wasn’t the shooters who got to the king and queen?”
“No. The intruders were all caught before they made it to the royal suites. It was a distraction. Someone let them in so they could have the opportunity to murder my father and mother.”
The room goes quiet. Neither Kallias nor I are touching our food any longer.
“Such a dreary topic,” Kallias says at last. “I don’t wish to burden you with my troubles. I appreciate you wanting to help. But this is not for you to worry about.”
“If I am to be your friend, surely you’ll wish to share your troubles?”
He doesn’t answer, as though just the mention of his troubles has his mind thinking of them.
I’ve lost him, so I say in a bright tone, “The council seems convinced of our ruse.”
In the time it takes me to blink, the shadows lighten, turning to a mere haze, slowing in their movements. “Yes. They couldn’t stop congratulating me during our meetings today.”
“Then they approve of me?” Has Lord Ikaros dropped his suspicions of me?
“At this point, I’m certain they would approve of anything with a womb. They didn’t say a word about your eccentricities.”
“What eccentricities?”
“Your clothing,” he says with a smile.
“That’s hardly fair coming from a man clothed in shadows.”
“Under my shadows is perfectly normal attire.”
“Not that anyone would notice. You stand out like a spark in a dark room all on your own. For someone like me? I have to try to stand out.”
“Not anymore,” he says. “You are being courted by the king. That fact alone makes you the most popular girl in the world.”
CHAPTER
8
A new slew of letters is delivered to me the next morning. For the most part, they’re additional invitations to luncheons and balls and banquets. But one letter stands out. It’s from Father.
Dear Alessandra,
Word has just reached me that the king has publicly announced your courtship. You have my congratulations. I’m proud of you. Though, I admit I’m disappointed that I had to hear the details from Lord Eliades instead of you. (The poor man appears smitten with you. He was quite upset over the news. It would seem we already have an excellent backup plan in place should you fail with the king. Orrin is very rich, after all.)
I pause in reading to shake off the thought of having to marry Eliades. He’s quite handsome, but I wouldn’t last two minutes alone with the man. Not if he thinks charity and saving kittens are the most interesting topics of conversation. I continue reading.
Your sister was most glad to hear of your courtship as well. She—
I skip that paragraph.
Finally, I should tell you a constable came by the house, accompanied by Faustus Galanis, Baron of Drivas. You remember Lord Drivas, don’t you? I believe you befriended his son, Hektor. Surely you remember the poor lad went missing some three years ago? Lord Drivas is now convinced his son is dead, and he and a Constable Hallas are conducting an investigation. They asked me quite a lot of questions about your relationship with Hektor. I think they’re hoping you might have an idea of where he could have gone after he ran away.
I’ve told them you saw Hektor only a handful of times when he came by the estate with his father, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they should wish to question you personally. Anything you can tell them about the last time you saw Hektor would probably prove most useful.
And by the devils, please tell me he was not one of your bedmates. It wouldn’t do at all if that came out during their investigation. Not when you’re making such headway with the king!
Do be careful, darling, and perhaps do what you can to speed up that courtship. Hmm?
Sincerely,
Your Loving Father
My hand has the letter in a death grip by the time I read the signature. Why the devils would an investigation suddenly be brought up? They couldn’t have found Hektor’s body, could they?
No, I assure myself. No, they couldn’t possibly …
* * *
IT WAS DIFFICULT GETTING Hektor’s body out of my room after I killed him. The only stroke of luck was that he insulted me in my bed, and that’s where he drew his last breath. That made it possible to roll him into an empty trunk. I latched the biggest lock I could find onto it and shut the key inside with Hektor’s body before closing it.
No one was getting inside that trunk without a hatchet.
But that still left a mess in the room.
I burned my bedsheets in the hearth and told my lady’s maid that my monthly bleeding soiled my mattress. I was surprised she believed the lie. I hadn’t bled in months due to my tincture that prevents pregnancy.
I knew it wouldn’t be long before Hektor started to stink, so the very next day, I rang for a couple of servants to carry my trunk into the carriage. I told them I was off to meet several friends for a picnic, and I drove the team of horses myself.
Once I found the perfect spot, deep into the Undatia Forest, I waited for the cover of darkness. Ever since meeting Hektor, it wasn’t unusual for me to be gone overnight, and neither the staff nor my father would think twice about it, though I knew I would get an earful from Father later.
Digging the hole was the most undignified thing I’ve ever done. It took nearly all night, with many breaks to rest my aching muscles. By the time I deemed the hole deep enough, I realized my mistake.
It was too deep, and I could not get out.
I screamed in my panic, stuck in that hole with nothing but a shovel. I thought to perhaps dig myself stairs, but I wondered if my strength would leave me entirely before I managed it.
It started to rain.
Finally, I thought clearly enough to remove my boots from my feet. I jabbed the heels into the earth and used them to crawl my way out. My muscles spasmed within my body, and my dress was damp with mud, my nostrils full of dirt.
But I would not allow myself to die in the grave I’d dug.
When I finally shoved the trunk over the lip of the cart, the lid cracked open, and Hektor stared up at me as I started to cover his face with dirt.
I was careful. The rain washed away the horses’ tracks. And when I returned early the next morning, all that was left was to destroy my dress and make it to my room without being seen.