Page 57 of Coveted

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Alana

She paused outside the door once it closed and the lock clicked behind her. Her chest heaved, the heavy scent of Vax painting the back of her tongue, drowning her in the desire to taste him with each breath she sucked in.

He didn’t really stink. The scent of smoke lingered around him since he hadn’t even bothered to change, but it was covered by his natural scent, the musk of his sweat blending with the cinnamon cocoa and making her mouth water.

Forcing her feet to move, she headed down the hall back toward the front of the building. She remembered Varner telling her that was where the kitchen was, she only hoped they’d have something ready she could take to Vax before he fell asleep.

The man had been passing out at his desk. He’d tried to hide it, but his weaving path down the hall told how tired he really was. She’d had a plan to get him to agree to rest, but she hadn’t even had to resort to it.

Alana turned a corner, almost walking into Maeve as the maid flipped one of the cream-colored curtains that hung in the hall out of the way. Her arms were filled with a laden tray, but Alana’s eyes were caught on the opening behind the curtain.

“Hidden passages!”

Her heart fluttered in excitement. She’d always been disappointed that her father’s castle hadn’t had any hidden hallways, and she was filled with the urge to go to the next curtain to see if there was another passage behind it.

“Oh, Lady! Varner told me to bring this to you in the Chancellor’s room. Do you need something else?”

Alana pulled her focus back to the older woman, shaking her head at the question.

“No, I was just coming to get Vax’s food. I didn’t realize Varner was going to send some to his room.”

She silently kicked herself. It should have been obvious that all she needed to do was call a servant for food, but she’d wanted to get it for him herself. The part of her that had woken needed to see to his care.

“I can take that.”

She held her arms out for the tray as Maeve’s grey brows rose. The maid eyed Alana like she’d suddenly changed color before clearing her throat.

“How about I carry it to the room, then you can bring it in to him.”

Alana pressed her lips together, ready to argue until Maeve continued.

“It wouldn’t do to have the First Lady carrying a tray through the hall. The Chancellor hasn’t had a chance to introduce you yet, and you might be mistaken for a new servant. They may try to give you more work. Plus, it would look like I wasn’t capable of doing my tasks.”

Alana’s mouth snapped shut at Maeve’s reasoning. Alana thought the points were a bit of a stretch, but there was no need to argue over it.

Holding in her sigh, Alana nodded before a little smile slid across her face.

“Only if we go through the hidden passage.”

Maeve looked from Alana to the dim opening behind the curtain.

“Are you sure, Lady? They’re just servant halls, nothing special.”

“Of course they’re special!” she announced, letting her smile grow as she moved to hold the curtain for Maeve. “Now show me the way.”

Shaking her head, Maeve stepped into the narrow hall with Alana following. Where the main corridors gave a lush feel while maintaining an airy quality, the servant halls were plain and utilitarian. Simple overhead lights made sure no one would trip, and the silver threaded blue tiles gave way to smooth, plain brown flooring.

It was a short trip back to their private wing, the servant tunnel exiting into the main hallway between Vax and Alana’s rooms, and Alana had to admit it wasn’t as exciting as she’d pictured it. There were no hidden rooms, dark and mysterious corners, or even scurrying bugs and rodents. It hadn’t lived up to the books she loved to read.

Maeve carried the tray to Vax’s door before turning to face Alana.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to bring it inside for you?”

Alana shook her head, holding her arms out again to accept the burden. She may not have carried very many trays in her life, but she could manage the few steps inside to the table.

Maeve sucked in a breath like she wanted to keep arguing but decided against it.

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