Page 92 of Legacy of Glass
Olivia broke into fresh struggles, but she was too weak to overpower him, and he wrestled the mirror free.
He held it up in front of him, gazing at his own face. “Now, what does it do?” he asked. “What does it show? Will it reveal places and people far away? Does it let you spy on others?”
“What? No, of course not,” Olivia cried, shocked.
The way Zane was restraining her meant she could see into the mirror as easily as he could, and it showed a face inflamed with anger and furious pride, the emotions overlaid with fear. It was nothing like the languid mask he usually showed the world.
The sight shocked Olivia and made her question every interaction she had ever had with him. Did Cade know of his brother’s true nature?
Several things came together in Olivia’s mind, all at the same moment. Cade’s odd behavior ever since they learned the details of Elisabeth’s ransom demand. The information she had learned in her lessons about the Strathmores’ business interests. And the truth she had just seen in the mirror. Her heart sank all the way down to her toes. She didn’t want to believe it, but she couldn’t resist the words that came out of her mouth.
“Doesn’t your family own the largest glassblowing workshop in Sovar?” she asked quietly. “I don’t suppose you’re in the process of expanding that business? Perhaps even trying to obtain a monopoly on glass distribution?”
Zane’s arm tightened convulsively around her.
“Be quiet!” he snapped.
Energy spiked through Olivia’s system. Lord Emerson had accused Lord Strathmore of taking his daughter, and he had been nearly right. It had been Lord Strathmore’s son who had taken Marigold. But not Cade. It had all been Zane. The abductions. The ransom demands. Did his father and brother know?
But, no. There was no way Cade had known of his brother’s scheme. Even before Marigold had become a victim, he wouldn’t have acquiesced in such a strategy. He certainly wouldn’t have agreed afterward.
But he had grown up alongside Zane. He must have known something of his brother’s true nature. And he would know his family’s business plans better than the rest of them. At some point in the afternoon, he had guessed the whole truth—probably as soon as he heard the ransom demand. Was that how he had known of the abandoned warehouse? It was probably one of the Strathmore properties. No wonder Cade had been both desperate and subdued. And no wonder the Larkins had assured them so many times that they meant to follow the demands to the letter. They had guessed which family it was and knew Cade was one of the Strathmore sons.
But did the king and queen know? Was that the news the aide had brought?
One of the captives might already have talked. If King Robert had just learned that one of the most trusted and influential families in the kingdom was responsible for kidnapping the daughter of someone as powerful as Lord Emerson, she could understand his wanting to deal with it as quickly and sensitively as possible.
She could even understand Julius’s continued absence. Lord Emerson wouldn’t be easy to placate.
“What have you done, Zane?” she whispered.
“Be quiet!” he snapped, giving her a small shake along with the words. “With my foolish brother too weak to advance the family’s interests, it was up to me to advance the Strathmore fortune. I’ve only done what I had to. And then the news that an Emerson would sit on the throne.” The arm holding Olivia trembled. “Unthinkable. I couldn’t allow it to happen.”
“But you were willing to let me marry Julius?” Olivia asked, curious despite herself.
Zane laughed, but it was an unpleasant, cruel sound. “Of course. If the crown is weakened, the Strathmores will rise even stronger. It’s just a pity Cade wasn’t born a girl. He might have done some good for us then. Or if my useless mother could have had another child. We could have seen a Strathmore on the throne instead, and my father could have seen his grandchild as crown prince. But no more equivocating. What does the mirror do? I could have been out of the palace and free by now if I hadn’t stopped to look for it. But if it’s a spy mirror, it will be worth the delay. They’ll never catch me then.”
“It shows the true emotions behind your mask,” Olivia said, unable to keep her voice from shaking. “And it was made by an apprentice, so it doesn’t even always work. It clearly didn’t work the last time I saw you reflected in it. It isn’t as valuable as you think. You’ve delayed your flight for no reason at all.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Zane said in a voice that sent fresh chills down Olivia’s spine. “The mirror might not be what I hoped it was, but I think I’ve found something valuable anyway.”
Olivia swallowed.
“Don’t worry,” Zane said, “if you don’t fight me, there’s no reason for you to get hurt. You know all about the other girls, so I’m sure you already know that. Don’t resist me, and as long as my demands are met, you’ll be freed without any harm. I’m not a monster.”
“I think that’s exactly what you are,” Olivia snapped. “And you must be a bigger fool than I ever dreamed if you think Their Majesties will give you anything in exchange for me.”
“Oh, I’m not thinking of Their Majesties.” Zane’s voice held smug amusement. “I’ve seen the way you and your gallant prince look at each other. I’m willing to bet that Foolish Julius would give up his kingdom to keep you safe.”
Olivia swallowed again, chiding herself for the ridiculous bubble of hope that rose up despite her situation. His words couldn’t possibly be true, could they?
Zane let go of her, and Olivia was so surprised by the unexpected move, that it took her a full second to remember to flee. By the time she tried, he had his sword drawn and the tip hovering at her back.
“I promise I’m faster than you are,” he growled. “Remember, if you cooperate, you’ll come to no harm.”
Olivia nodded meekly while her mind raced. She had no intention of allowing Julius to sacrifice anything to save her.
Zane prodded her lightly, propelling her through the door of her bedchamber and into her sitting room. Mildred was cowering behind the sofa again, squeaking frantically, and Olivia wished fleetingly that she’d befriended a tiger instead of a mouse. But she couldn’t blame Mildred for her nature. It was what had kept her alive for years.
