Page 5 of A Thieving Curse

“We might not come up here again; shouldn’t we make the most of it?”

“True. Although, in that case, we had best hurry.” He shifted positions, his legs stretched over the stone. “Read on.”

Raelyn tossed the book into his lap. “Ha. Nice try, but it’s your turn, dear brother.”

“Really?” Gareth blinked, feigning confusion. “No, I definitely read last—”

“Last time you held your shield over our heads because of the rain and I read.”

“That’s right! Oh, it’s definitely your turn then.” He tossed the book back.

It landed with a soft thump on her thighs, and she frowned. “How—”

“I held the shield. My arms were exhausted. You owe me.” He settled down, hands folded over his chest, and closed his eyes. “Ready when you are.”

“You’re incorrigible.” But she opened the book to the faded green ribbon they used to mark their place and read, anyway.

They’d read this collection before, but it didn’t matter. It was Gareth’s favorite, containing all the legends of Sir Roderick, slayer of terrible monsters and rescuer of fair damsels.

She read a story about vicious fae attempting to trap Sir Roderick in their realm until her voice tired, then she handed the book to Gareth. “Your turn.”

“Hm.” He sat up straighter and took the book. “Very well—”

The trapdoor banged open, making them jump. Nathaniel’s mess of curls appeared, followed by his hands clutching the floor, then the rest of him clambered out. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes, usually an inviting deep blue, were shadowed by his narrowed eyelids and furrowed brow.

“You startled me!” She slumped against the wall.

Gareth groaned. “We didn’t relock the door!”

Nathaniel scowled as he stood up. He was all elbows and knees and feet that were too big for his body. Accordingly, he was envious of the natural kinesthetic sense nineteen-year-old Gareth possessed, but he made up for it by keeping his appearance fastidiously manicured. More importantly, he was the baby, a position he took full advantage of even while decrying its drawbacks—such as constantly being overlooked or tricked by his elder siblings.

“I startled you?” Nathaniel sputtered. “You deserve it. Mother’s furious! I’ve been looking for you for half an hour! How—Father had it locked!”

“Of course he did.” Gareth stood, chuckling. “Dear father didn’t think that would really stop us, did he?” He slapped Nathaniel on the back. “Cheer up, you found us.”

“Only after I found a snake in the north-west tower stair!” Nathaniel’s pout would have earned Raelyn a prolonged lecture on maintaining a charming comportment fit for a queen.

She faced Gareth. “You actually caught a snake?”

“Took a couple days, too,” Gareth said. “It’s too cold for them yet.”

Nathaniel shifted his hurt expression to her. “You knew?”

Unlike their parents, however, the puppy eyes had little effect on Raelyn.

“It was your idea, Nate.” She stood and brushed off her skirt. “You said you’d rather face Mother’s wrath than a snake.”

Nathaniel wrinkled his nose. “I made one of the pages take it out before I climbed the tower looking for you. I’ll never hear the end of it!”

She broke down laughing, as did Gareth.

“Oh, just come down already.” Nathaniel’s cheeks burned bright red. “Your tutor is waiting, Gareth, and if Rae doesn’t go speak with Mother soon, she’ll have her locked in her room.”

“Mother needs to think up a new threat.” Raelyn removed her cloak and handed it to Gareth, walking casually past her brothers. She sat on the edge of the trapdoor opening and lowered herself onto the steps. Before descending the tower stairs, she looked back at Nathaniel.

“Thanks for finding us,” she said with exaggerated sweetness. “We had no idea we were needed.” She winked and, somehow, his face turned a deeper shade of angry crimson. Gathering up her skirts, she made her way down. Every step took her further from Gareth and their freedom and closer to reality, where treaties and responsibilities defined how everyone saw her.

Even her mother.

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