Page 52 of The Court of Secrets
The ball simmered as midnight came and went. I slipped away when no one was paying attention. Several nobles dwindled our liquor reserves, guffawing at a table near the quarter and jesters. A flurry of fake snow landed on my shoulder. I looked up at the ribbed ceiling as my mind wandered.
Tomorrow, before they went to bless my crown and my evening trip with my mother to find André’s spirit, I would have time to pour through the banned books that had been stashed in my private library. I planned to go back to my room as I thought about Cedric and how he was still locked up. I’d ensure efforts to find the Sword and Dagger were doubled down tomorrow. I wanted to have him released soon. I also wanted to speak with him before I sent him back to Berovia. He had betrayed me, but I still cared for him. I always had. It was complicated, what I had felt for him. I enjoyed being with him, and even his kisses, but I couldn’t deny how I felt for Blaise. Even when I wanted to pretend otherwise, there had been a connection between the king and I since I went to Lepidus for our wedding. I couldn’t shake him, and a part of me no longer wanted to.
Especially after what he’d said earlier. I found myself walking in the direction of his chambers, not fully aware of what I was doing.
A guard stationed at his door looked at me, then nodded and stepped out of the way. Furrowing my brows, I creaked the door open. Slivers of moonlight illuminated him from the shadows of his room. An oil lamp flickered. His tortured eyes found mine.
Blaise rubbed his temples, then shook his head as if to remove darkness. He smiled, but there was pain in it. “Missed me?”
“Why did the guard not announce me?”
He shrugged. “I told him if you came, only you, to let you in.”
My heart stammered. “You knew I’d come?”
He smirked but said nothing.
“You’re hurting again,” I stated. “That smile doesn’t fool me.”
“It’s the curse.”
My gaze narrowed. “You’re certain?”
“Yes.”
He didn’t elaborate.
I pressed my lips together. “You were fine when you arrived.”
“I was away from you.”
I swallowed thickly. “What… What does that have to do with the curse?”
He closed the distance between us, his eyes focused with an invasiveness to his gaze, as if he could reach into my soul. His lips brushed mine. He closed his eyes for a moment, then growled softly. Pulling away, he cursed.
I stepped back, stunned.
“You should know first.” He shook his head. “I’ve set Cedric free. He’s gone back to Berovia.”
My jaw dropped. The words didn’t hit the back of my head. “Youset him free?” I stretched out the words. “How? Why? When?”
“He gave up the location of the Dagger and Sword.”
My eyelid twitched. “Willingly?”
“Yes.”
I tensed my shoulders. “I’d planned on speaking with him.”
He glanced at his hands. I wouldn’t have noticed if he hadn’t looked. A few specks of blood spotted his white sleeve. “What did you do?”
“I wasn’t lying. He did willingly relinquish the location of the Objects, after some persuasion.”
Rage streaked through me. “Did thatpersuasioncome at the end of your fists?”
“He also gave up where the Amulet was.”
I balled my fists and spat out through gritted teeth, “You hurt him!” My voice changed, frightening me. “What condition did you leave him in?”
