Page 126 of The Kingdom's Reckoning
"Laurince?"
The captain skidded to a stop at the sound of the feminine voice, and Myra crashed into him. His hand slipped from hers as he turned and faced the woman who had snuck up behind them.
"Ferencia?" Laurince called out.
The woman lifted the candle she held, casting its flames toward them.
"Itisyou," she gasped, pressing her hand to her chest. "You disappeared, and I thought—" The woman swallowed, her eyes flicking to the spot where Laurince and Myra’s hands were previously intertwined.
Myra reached for the woman’s emotions, and waves crashed into her, one after another. The woman’s emotions were so tangled, Myra struggled to parse them. Notes of longing and sadness and fear dripped from the thread.
"We had some things to take care of," Laurince said, his voice strained with discomfort.
Myra could have sworn he shifted away from her. She was tempted to read his emotions, but stopped when Ferencia’s attention turned to Rian.
Ferencia blinked several times before gasping and falling into a curtsy. "Your Majesty, y-you’re back."
Laurince’s eyes widened as he realized his mistake, but it was too late.
"Oh," Ferencia exclaimed, eyeing their appearances and the dark cloaks draped over their shoulders. She glanced down the hallway and at the trail of water left in their wake. "If the guards see you…" Her words trailed off. She nibbled her nails, anxiety pouring out of her. "We have to go," she demanded, spinning on her heels.
After a few steps, she must have noticed no one followed her because she looked back. "Well, come on. Are you simply going to stand there and let them catch you?"
"This ismycastle," Rian argued.
"Not anymore."
Rian flinched as Ferencia’s words struck him in the chest.
Myra glanced at Laurince, questioning what they should do. But it seemed their choice was being made for them as several pairs of steps sounded. A belly-deep laugh ricocheted off the walls and sent a chill down Myra’s spine. The side of her hand brushed against the small blade pressed against her thigh. There was no time.
Myra turned to Laurince and spoke so only he could hear, "Do you trust her?"
"Uhm…" Laurince glanced at Ferencia, who stood wringing her hands together nervously. When he returned his attention to Myra and Rian, Laurince nodded. "Yes, I do."
"Then let’s go," Myra said, ushering the captain forward.
"At least one of you is sensible," Ferencia said, peering past them and checking the hall. "This way."
One after another, they followed Ferencia through the halls. As Myra oriented herself in the castle, she soon realized the woman was taking them to the southwest corridor. Fear laced Myra’s throat as she recalled several important figures staying on this side of the castle.
"Isn’t this where?—"
"Shhh," Ferencia hushed, immediately silencing Myra. She turned down another hall, then stopped at a door.
Myra’s brows bunched together. But when she glanced at the two men, neither of them seemed as concerned as she about their location. If a lord or lady saw them, word would spread like wildfire, quickly falling to Sebastian’s ears.
Myra leaned closer, popping her head between Ferencia and Laurince. "Whose room is this?" she whispered as Ferencia pushed the door open and ushered them inside.
"Mine," Ferencia said just as Laurince answered, "Hers."
Myra’s heart stuttered as Laurince swiftly entered the room and tossed his wet cloak on the coat rack without a glance, as if it was his own room. He wiped the dirt off the soles of his boots on a quaint pink rug, and Ferencia smiled warmly at him.
Were they—had they?—?
Myra jumped as the door locked shut behind her.
Laurince cast an inquisitive look in her direction. "Myra, is everything all right?"
