Page 121 of Arrows and Gems
“Strange time to propose,” Rouge snorted, stuffing the rock in her pocket as her eyes returned to focus. “I would think you’d at least want your magic back, if not a pardon, before offering your pitiful self to her.”
Her brother rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant. I need to ask her about Margit.”
Cap’s forehead wrinkled. “Margit? Why call Marielle to the capital for that?”
“Because you care about her,” Jean-haut said bluntly. He stared up at Cap, holding his eyes. “And Margit has avoided mention of her background and any chance of recognition the entire time we’ve known her, but suddenly she has business in the capital?”
Ice warred with heat for dominance in Cap’s chest. “You think that we can’t trust her? After she fought beside us the last two months?” The memory of the last time he saw her poured through him: of being a hairsbreadth from her lips and then sending her away, her fiery green eyes challenging him to let her help.
“You’re one to talk,” Rouge scoffed. “How long did you wear your hood around her?”
“That’s different,” he said a bit defensively. “The last time I’d seen her, she sent an arrow at my head. And we wereambushed in the same spot shortly after.”
“And we were ambushed again a few nights ago,” Rouge pointed out. “After which she freed Jean-haut –afterhe’d been cuffed – and then conveniently disappeared with ‘business in the capital.’ What better way to hide her involvement?”
“I’m not accusing her of anything, Rouge,” Jean-haut cut in quietly. “I just need to ask Marielle about something she said.” Giving Cap a sad half smile, he continued, “All the same, you should prepare yourself.”
“For what?” Cap huffed.
Jean-haut looked away. “For learning that Margit isn’t who we thought she was.”
CHAPTER 43
Helena
Locked. Locked, locked, and locked.
Crossing her arms, Helena scowled at the desk. General Valentin had invited her to his home for an afternoon soirée, much to her delight. It was one of the opportunities that she’d been hoping for.
But having access to his study was pointless if every drawer in it was locked.
Frowning, she looked around the room for something she could use as a lockpick. She hadn’t added that skill to her repertoire while scaling castle walls at Reineggburg, but there was no time like the present to learn.
Ten minutes later, she was snarling in disgust at General Valentin’s letter opener. Maybe she would just break the lock. He would know someone had been there, but she was almost past caring.
“Oh! I beg your pardon, I didn’t realize anyone was here.”
Ducking would have been smarter, but Helena shot up at the unexpected voice. A middle-aged woman with black hair and a feather duster stood in the doorway with one hand over her chest. The maid’s eyebrows rose as her eyes dropped to Helena’s hand.
Helena followed her gaze to the letter opener. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“Are you sure?” the General’s maid asked, lifting aneyebrow as she closed the door. “Because it looks like you’re trying to break into the General’s desk.”
Going for brazen, Helena lifted one shoulder. “Then I suppose it’s exactly what it looks like. What do you plan to do about it? Turn me in?”
The maid studied her but kept walking. Keeping her eyes on Helena, she reached up and pulled a set of pins from her hair. “I suppose a loyal servantshouldtell her master about his betrothed snooping through his belongings.” Giving Helena a wink, she knelt beside her and stuck the hairpins inside the lock. “Since I’mnota loyal servant, I’ll just have to help you instead.”
Helena’s jaw dropped. “Are you—picking the lock for me?”
“I would use the key if I had it,” the maid responded, her focus on the lock. “But I think he keeps it on his person, so we’ll have to make do with this.”
“But why?”
The lock opened with a click, and the maid pulled the drawer open before moving to the next. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m looking for answers, and I want to know if the General has them. Aren’t you doing the same? Or are you just nosy?”
Helena continued to gape at her. “But you work for the General.”
“You’rebetrothed to him,” the maid retorted. The second lock sprang open, and she moved to the other side of the desk. “Aren’t you going to check the drawers? Our time is limited.”
