Page 86 of Pippa of Lauramore
It’s late, and I should have retired to bed long ago. Instead, I’ve been helping tend minor wounds as I wait for Lionel to tire of trailing me so I can find Archer.
“Do you think he knows about Archer?” Yuven asks, his voice barely a whisper.
“I don’t know if he suspects Archer at all, but I believe he knows I’ve helped Galinor. He’s making sure I don’t meet with him again.”
Yuven huffs. “What would it matter now? How are you to aid him in the joust?”
“I’m awake, you know,” Irving says from under my hands. He startles me so severely, I jump and almost shriek. Yuven turns away, deserting me.
Irving opens his eyes, and he grins. His eyes are hooded, and I can tell he hasn’t been awake for long. “Run away with me, and I’ll keep your secret.”
“Keep my secret, or I’ll lace your pain-relieving tea with the brew Yuven gave Peter,” I tease.
Irving grimaces at the thought. His tone flippant, he says, “I’ll keep it because I love you. But, Princess, why not offer me your pet archer?”
I bristle at his words, but when he smirks, I realize what he’s done—the rat.
“What’s this, then? Are you in love with Archer? I suspected, of course, but?—”
“You are too drugged to know what you say.” I rub the salve into his arm a little harder than necessary.
He winces and laughs. “Perhaps I am.”
“Please don’t say anything.”
I finish with the salve and apply fresh bandages. I meet his eyes, and his smirk softens to something real.
“Pippa, I swear, I will say nothing.” He closes his eyes. “Besides, after I win the tournament, and when we’re honeymooning on a distant, tropical island, none of it will matter.”
We both know he won’t be competing in the joust or hand-to-hand event. He drifts to sleep, and I finish with his bandages. I glance to the wall where Lionel stands. He’s still here.
I move to my next patient and my next after that. Finally, now that it’s very late, Lionel is gone.
Sneaking down the knights’quarters is foolish. It’s beyond foolish—it’s madness. Despite my misgivings, the knights’ hall is where I find myself.
Torches burn on the walls, and instead of soft, red woven rugs and tapestries like there are throughout the rest of the palace, there’s armor displayed down the hall. Our family’s crest hangs at the end. Instead of instillingpride in my position, it mocks me, reminding me I’m where I shouldn’t be, doing what I shouldn’t do.
I’m not sure which room is Archer’s, and that’s a problem. It’s not as if I can knock on them all until I find his. As I loiter, unsure how to proceed, a door opens behind me. I turn swiftly, excuses already forming in my head.
Beyond the door, I hear men laughing over what sounds like a game of chance. Alexander is in front of me. His eyes go wide when he sees me. He shuts the door and takes two steps forward. “What are you doing?”
Thankfully, his voice is quiet so he doesn’t rouse the entire hall—if there’s anyone to rouse. They might all be gambling away the night.
“What areyoudoing?” I counter. “Father has forbidden gambling.”
Alexander narrows his eyes, knowing I’ll take him down with me if I must. “Who are you looking for?”
“Archer.”
“You were supposed to leave it alone.” His eyes soften.
“I tried.”
The door starts to open, but he pulls it shut. There are shouts from the other side, laughter and jeers.
“Last room on the left.” He motions me on. “And Pippa?”
I turn back.
