Page 59 of Rook of Ruin
Nora pops her knuckles and stretches her fingers. “You two were too busy worrying after each other that the Spider let me slip in.” She laughs. “The Spider always knows, but he sure as hells didn’t see me coming. Or maybe he did and let me come in anyway? As a test for you.”
My lips purse. Alec wouldn’t do that to me. Not now. Not after—
Nora’s voice drops. “Have you ever wondered if he is using you to get his knighthood?” she asks, and I stare at her, hiding my shock. “Did you ever consider he is using yourfriendshipto gain influence? He’s done some pretty fucked-up stuff in his life, and hey, we all have. Right, Finn?” The black-haired man nods, and Nora continues, “The Spider is from Enthe—of course he’s fucked up. All of us who were born there are.” A few of the men grumble in agreement. “You’re different. You’re meant for more—”
“Nora, is that really your name?” I curl my lip, the venom in my voice clear, and she seems surprised. I wave my hand dismissively like Simon. “I want to know—why shoot me with arrows at all? Why all the dramatics and games? Why the threats to have me sent to the Stocks?”
“Think of it this way: we gave the Spider and your prince the opportunity to discover that village. The elders will tell them about the attacks. Those villagers will send them to another village just south of here on the outskirts of Enthe. When they get there, the Spider and prince will be told you healed more people. When they leave that village you will be in Enthe, taking care of people there, and so on. Word will spread that you have been going throughout Acros, healing the queen’s people. The queen will simply say that it was her idea becauseof course she wouldn’t allow her people suffer without a healer, and she chose you. The sister to the future queen of Acros. The Ruby was following orders the whole time. You were never kidnapped. You will make a great name for yourself, the queen will be loved, and people will be healed. We all win.”
I stare at her, unconvinced. “What do you get out of this, Nora? What do these men get out of this?”
“I get my village healed.” She points to the men one at a time. “Finn gets his. Tommie gets his. Donnie gets h—”
“But why fucking shoot me? Why threaten?”
“How else would we have gotten you away from your prince? Since you’re so oblivious, I’ll give it to your straight—that man has it bad for you. If he came with us, what do you think he would have done?”
“I don’t know, Nora. Tell me. Obviously I’m a bad judge of character.” My bitterness is pouring through.
“He might have helped . . . until he decided there were other priorities forhiskingdom.” She studies me, watching my reaction. At least she believes Simon would have helped. “You also earned the respect of every man here, and of Vetter, when I tell him you took down nine of his men. He has taken a great interest in your welfare.” She laughs. “The amount of women who would love to be in your shoes right now is ridiculous.”
I feel like an idiot for asking, but I would rather be an informed idiot. “Who is Vetter?”
Finn whistles. “Love, how long were you a Rook? You should know who Vetter is.”
“I’m still a Rook,” I grind out, and he gives me a pity smile like I should know better. I do, but I haven’t officially been told either way. I throw him a crude gesture, and he laughs happily.
“She never left the castle—they kept her in the Locker. This is the farthest she has ever been.” Nora ignores my frustrated huff. “Apparently, she was a good Rook, working mainly on level three though.” She shrugs.
Finn is clearly impressed that I was on level three.
I rush out, “It’s no big deal. I’ve been out of the castle. I just didn’t go far.” To Wesson, but they don’t need to know that.
“Did you ever wonderwhythey didn’t want you to go too far?” Finn’s brown eyes are sympathetic.
“I’m a healer. The most powerful one. I—”
Nora cuts me off, “Please. She never went anywhere even as a child. She was ordered to stay.” She scoffs and shakes her head. “O finished her recruitment early too. They keep her like one would atreasure,” Nora says knowingly, tilting her head.
“So no—” Finn’s eyes widen.
Nora clicks her tongue. “Yep, no last year of training. No seduction, no missions, no—”
I interrupt Nora. “I’m right here. I’m right fucking here, and let me remind you, Finn, I kicked your ass earlier.” I squint trying to look as menacing as I feel.
“And I loved every minute of it.” Finn smiles.
“Masochist,” I growl.
“Every. Single. Moment, love.” Finn’s smile grows until he beams. His lanky body stretches out in his mismatched leathers.
Finn’s hand is wrapped in a handkerchief, his neck still gruesome, so I heal him. He nudges me, and I roll my eyes. “Are you going to tell me who Vetter is?”
“Aww, no.” He shakes his head. “Mate, you can’t tell her. Let her find out,” Finn begs.
“I’ve got to give him this one. He needs a win after what you did to him.” Nora flips her brown hair to say the conversation has ended.
“He’s fine now. I healed him,” I say under my breath.
