Page 127 of Arrows and Gems
“No, I wouldn’t think so.” The minstrel’s hand tightened, but then he nodded. “Well, if you’re certain. But please be safe, Cap. For all our sakes.”
After bidding him farewell, Cap trotted down a different tunnel. There was no need for a hand on the wall this time. He knew this passage by heart, even in the dark.
A torrent of emotions clamored for his attention. Margit,her betrothal to General Valentin. Her true identity. Her dismissal of Cap in front of Tucker.
But those he could handle. Feelings he hadn’t faced in over a year assailed him as well, things he couldn’t deal with now. He shoved them aside. He could confront them when he was back in the forest. When it was safe for him to break.
Maybe.
When he reached the door he needed, he pulled out his key again. But he paused before fitting it to the lock. More than a year had passed since he last used this door. Then, he had been escaping after a trying morning, hoping an hour in the woods would clear his head.
He’d had no idea the news Jean-haut would bring him. No idea that he wouldn’t tease his younger brother that evening or hide a smile at his sister’s obliviousness to her best friend’s affection. That his mother’s smile wouldn’t greet him at the breakfast table the next morning, or that he’d spoken to his father for the last time.
Cap shook himself. Delaying over memories wouldn’t help him rescue his princess…assuming she wanted to be rescued this time.
Taking a deep breath, he turned the key, then pulled the lever that opened a narrow section of wall in the adjoining bedroom.
It was dark, but Cap strode confidently to the sitting-room door. He didn’t know where the General might have stashed Margit—Princess Helena—but he had a few guesses. If they proved wrong, he would risk waking Cedric.
He stepped into the sitting room and froze. It should have been quiet in the middle of the night. Instead, he could hear someone breathing.
The sound of a flint striking drew his eyes toward the hall door, and then a candle flickered to life. General Valentin stoodin the doorway.
“I thought you might show up tonight,” the General said with a sad smile. “Welcome home, my boy.”
CHAPTER 45
Cap
Whipping out his bow, Cap nocked an arrow. But something blue reflected the candlelight.
“Gust.”
The air in the room gathered into a burst of wind that shoved Cap’s arrow aside. Instead of hitting its mark, it buried itself in the wooden door. Just like in the raid.
“Can’t we have a civilized conversation?” General Valentin sighed. “You always were too quick with that bow of yours. Just as you were too quick to disappear out that secret passage whenever you wanted a moment alone.”
“What makes you think I’ve used it before?” Cap eyed the sapphire in the General’s hand. It was the proof he needed, but how to get it? “You don’t know who I am.”
The General shook his head. “You can drop the act; I’ve known your identity for months. How else could I send the perfect little lady into your arms?” The corner of his mouth pulled up in a satisfied smirk. “She did her job well, didn’t she?”
The mention of Margit caught Cap off-guard, bringing all his twisted emotions back to the front of his mind. “I don’t believe you,” he ground out. “Margit knew nothing about you when I first met her.” General Valentin was just twisting the situation to his advantage, mixing truth with lies.
The General’s eyebrows rose. “Do you honestly believe that a spirited, old language-loving, young archeress justhappenedto drop into your lap? Heavens, my boy, I thought you were smart.”
“She’s with the General!”
It was a misunderstanding.
“She showed up in Amitié begging for sanctuary from her unwanted suitors,” the General continued carelessly, taking a step forward. “When I suggested this little job, she jumped at the chance. Seemed to think tricking you would be an adventure.”
“Shesneeredat the idea of a princess being with an outlaw.”
She was out of his reach now, but they’d had something. He hadn’t imagined it.
“I wouldn’t care if the entire Ralnoran court were here. I would pick you over any of those fools.”
“What would it take for you to go home? Will you take me with you?”
