Page 21 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“This is ridiculous, Maeve!” I exploded as we stood, ready for our trip into the city. Accepting the cloak she offered, I wrapped it around my shoulders. The velvet red cloak with its fur collar was luxurious, though I imagined PETA would have a field day with it. “How could people let her… I mean,me, get away with all this shit?”
Maeve shrugged as she donned her cloak, made of a much cheaper fabric. “Being the legitimate daughter has its perks, my lady. Aside from your brother, who joined the emperor’s army, you’re the only one left to be doted on.”
I furrowed my brows and my head ticked back in surprise. “I have a brother?”
Maeve nodded as she opened the front doors and led us out of the Ryder residence and into a waiting carriage. “Yes, Young Master Jacob,” she murmured shyly. Her delicate cheeks took on a lovely pink hue when his name passed her lips.
I raised an eyebrow as she helped me climb the steps into the carriage. It was obvious she had a thing for Jacob, but I wasn’t about to tease her about it. I’d seen enough TV dramas to know that it never ended well when the lower class mixed with the upper class. Her secret crush could land her in hot water.
Maeve climbed into the carriage and we settled in, opening the curtain to usher in the cool evening air. The crisp air announced it was early fall, with the earthy scent of fallen leaves and a hint of wood smoke mingling with the floral notes from the garden.
“Where do you want to go, my lady?” Maeve asked as she slipped on a pair of gloves.
“Take me somewhere to get a drink! But not anywhere in the Northern District. Somewhere fun in the Southern District, where you would go.” I grinned, fairly bursting with excitement.
Maeve’s eyes widened. “Are you serious, my lady? You want to go tomyside of town?”
I nodded. “Of course. Show me your world, Maeve.”
“You never liked going to the Southern District if you could help it,” Maeve whispered as she bit her lower lip, looking at me suspiciously. “You used to say it smelled bad there.”
I snorted. “The poor have a smell? Jesus… Arya was truly a bitch. Look, Maeve, forget everything I’ve said in the past. We’re starting a clean slate. I want to get sloshed, which is fairly easy to do. Two piña coladas will turn me into a lush.” I winked, enjoying her horrified expression.
“Jesus? Piña coladas?” she repeated the unfamiliar words.
I nodded. “Yes, they—”
The worry lines that had smoothed out over the course of our afternoon in the garden suddenly reappeared. “Maybe going to the Southern District isn’t such a good idea, my lady. Perhaps you should—”
I waved away her concern. “Don’t worry so much, Maeve! We’re just having a girl’s night, which I desperately need after being shut away in my room for days on end.AndI promise tonight I’ll drink my medicine. Pinky promise.” I grinned and stuck out my pinky, which she stared at for several moments with a confused expression. While I was somewhat sincere, I had ulterior motives for this trip. I needed to get the lay of the land and discover if there were allies to be found. Allies I wouldn’t encounter in the Northern District.
Maeve sighed. “Fine, my lady.” She hooked her pinky with mine, then stuck her head out of the carriage window and told the driver to go to a place called The Broken Tankard.
I leaned back in the seat and stretched my legs, making myself comfortable. “So, tell me more about my brother Jacob. Does he have any redeeming qualities, or is he just as charming as I seem to be?”
Maeve’s cheeks turned an even deeper shade of pink. “He’s a good man, my lady. Brave and kind. He always stood up for me when you… well, when you were being difficult.”
“Difficult? That’s one way to put it,” I muttered and shook my head. “Sounds like he’s the family’s saving grace.”
She nodded shyly. “He’ll inherit the Ryder fortune and business… well, whatever is left of it. No one knows about the family’s financial problems, not even him.”
An uneasy feeling squirmed in my gut. “Wow, how long have they been able to keep it under wraps?”
“Roughly two years now,” Maeve answered. “Jacob is due to visit the Ryder residence soon. I assume Lord Zacharia will tell him about the family’s dwindling fortune then.”
Dang, I’d hope so. Or else the poor guy was going to inherit nothing. “And I assume Lady—I mean,Iknow all of this?”
“Yes. You are well aware of the financial issues the family is enduring. Both you and Lady Gianna know. I believe it’s why Lady Gianna is so desperate to marry the third prince,” Maeve added quietly.
“Let me ask you something, Maeve.” I leaned forward and stared at the young girl, searching her face for answers. “Why are you so loyal to me even though I seem to treat you and everyone around me so badly? I would assume you’d hate me.”
Maeve’s eyes widened and she quickly waved her hands. “Goodness no, my lady!” She gasped and then winced. “You may not be the nicest at times, but I am grateful to be in your life. You may not remember, but you saved my life.” Her eyes dropped and a flicker of pain crossed her delicate features. “I was young, just a child, and my father was a drunk. You couldn’t have been more than ten when you ventured out to the Southern District and witnessed my father trying to sell me to The Gilded Serpent for money to buy more alcohol.”
“The Gilded Serpent?” I raised a brow in question.
“Oh, that’s the brothel,” Maeve clarified. “I was barely seven at the time. I hadn’t even bled yet, but my father was desperate for money and I was the only thing of value he had.”
“That’s awful, Maeve! I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I assume he wasn’t able to sell you?”
