Page 57 of Thorn Season
But as Keil waited placidly, arm still outstretched, I glimpsed a shrewd flicker in his eyes. And I knew I couldn’t let him realize what I’d been doing in this room.
So, although my instincts rebelled at leaving the Bolting Box, I stormed out across the lounge. Then I tugged the doorknob and cursed.
Carmen had locked the door behind her.
Keil strolled to my side, glanced at the keyhole, and turned tome expectantly. Waiting for me to produce my imaginary lockpicks. “Stage fright?” he teased.
I opened my mouth, grasping for an excuse, when the lock clicked free on its own.
Keil winked. “You’re welcome.”
Scowling, I wrenched the door open and stomped away.
17
Keil’s soap-and-linen scent still lingered in my hair as I entered the Games Hall, where tonight’s celebrations were in full swing. Nobles laughed around games tables and lounged beside the open doors to the courtyard, chilled glasses of pink lemonade sweating under the starlight.
I returned every smile distractedly. If Garret’s theory proved correct, the night Wray had been murdered, he’d journeyed to Henthorn to meet Lady Nelle. And Nelle had accidentally left her chamber key behind.
But what had happened in the interim?
Nelle had been married to the queen’s younger brother at the time, and Wray had been acting strangely—taking secret outings, burning his journals. Had they been having an affair? Had Nelle seduced Wray into lowering his guard, then orchestrated an ambush in the city because she’d wished to be the keeper of the compass all along?
It wouldn’t be the first time the Mantis had murdered a partner.
Despite the lack of proof at her trial, there existed little doubt in any courtier’s mind—including mine—that Nelle had poisoned her husband; with his death, Carmen had been made next in line to the throne—and Nelle, mother to the heir presumptive. Though Nellehad been exiled before reaping the benefits, her beloved daughter had become the court’s darling, flourishing as a blossom among thorns when the world had expected her to wilt.
Now Carmen possessed a Bolting Box—a device used for secret communication. And I could think of no better person with whom she would secretly communicate than her own exiled mother.
“Wretch.”
I jumped at Carmen’s voice, hissing beside me. Though she glittered in tangerine satin, I hadn’t noticed her approach, and it took me a moment to arrange my expression into one of innocence.
“Excuse me?” I asked, pulse fluttering.
Carmen crossed her arms over the swell of her chest. “She’s been rinsing the gentry like a maid with a dishcloth.”
I followed Carmen’s gaze to a middle-aged woman with creamy brown skin, tumbling dark curls, and a green velvet dress paneled with glossy leather armor. While coins piled her side of the table, her Aces opponent fumbled with his scarce handful.
Lady Sabira Kaulter of Parrey, the shark of the Games Hall. Carmen’swretch.
I exhaled silently. Carmen had no idea I’d been rummaging through her chambers.
“She looks dressed for a fight,” I said, aiming for lightness.
“She’ll incite one, at this rate.” Carmen added, deliberately loud, “Cheating is not condoned within the king’s palace.”
Sabira’s jaw ticked; she’d obviously heard.
“She really cheats?” I asked.
“No, of course not.” Carmen’s voice returned to its normal volume. “She likes to think she’s better than everyone else, and that wouldn’t work if she’s playing pretend.”
“She’s already playing pretend.” I nodded to the quartz stones on Sabira’s bracelets, shining dully in place of diamonds. “I’ve seen better costume jewelry at the local theatre.”
“They’re fake?” Carmen perked up, bouncing on her feet. “This is brilliant—the snootiest courtier in Daradon, skimping on her jewelry! I expect all her gold goes toward those mercenaries she surrounds herself with.”
“I don’t see any mercenaries.”
