Page 13 of Curse of Thorns
Rev swallows, the look in his eye tells me he agrees. “But if he knew, why didn’t he— “
“I don’t know,” I say. “He could have called me an intruder and had me arrested.”
“Perhaps he knew I’d defend you to the queen. And if I did that, you may give proof of the assassins. Did you really leave the other assassin alive?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “I don’t kill excessively.”
“I don’t know that would have been excessive. Justified, more likely.”
“I got my point across with one head. I didn’t need two.” I only took that head because the fae was already dead. I’d stabbed him through the heart during our skirmish. The other knew he was beat and surrendered. No need to tell all of that to Rev, though.
“We really must get out of here at first light now. They’ll be looking for you, and I wouldn’t take my father’s threat lightly.”
I nod. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“You should try to get some sleep,” Rev says softly. “Would you like to take the bed? I can sleep on the sofa.”
“No!” I say quickly. “I wouldn’t dream of tossing a prince from his bed.” I chuckle, secretly hoping my cheeks aren’t visibly red. “I can take the sofa.”
“You weren’t sleeping. That’s why they noticed you.”
I nod. “A stupid mistake. It won’t happen again.”
Rev sighs. “Anything the matter?”
Everything, I think. So much. “No, nothing especially. It’s just strange being here.”
He nods absently.
“Before we leave tomorrow,” I say, mostly out of a desire to change the subject. “You should go to the library and grab any books on the Schorchedlands you can find.”
His eyebrows flick up then down. “I’ve read as much as I could already—you’re not the only one with a love for history.”
I smile. To be honest, I don’t even remember telling him I love history. I must have mentioned it during the trials. “I’d like to bring them with us. I don’t suspect the Crumbling Court will have as many resources as you do.”
He nods slowly. “I’ll deal with it in the morning. It’s time for sleep.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
He lays back, and I walk slowly to the couch on the other side of the room.
“Caelynn?” Rev whispers.
“Yes?” I squeak.How pathetic is that?
“Are you all right?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I say, knowing I’m too far and the room is too dark for him to see me flinch as my gut clenches.
Truth? No. Not at all. For so many reasons.
