Page 14 of The Crown of the Dark Prince
“Iris told me what you two learned about Zachariah Moore at Madame Stefania’s.”
Heat crept up my neck. Months ago, Iris and I had snuck out to investigate Zachariah, the man rumored to be my father. We’d found our way to an establishment known as Madame Stefania’s, where we’d learned that Zachariah had favored male partners.
Clay smirked. “I have to admit, learning you had snuck out to a brothel brought up conflicting feelings for me. I’m not sure if I’m more irritated that you risked going into a dangerous area, annoyed that you didn’t invite me, or curious about what your face looked like when you realized where you were.”
“I’d rather not revisit that moment, thank you,” I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
Clay chuckled, a grin dancing at the edges of his lips. I forced myself to look away from them.
“Can we get back to the point, please?”
“It seems Zachariah rarely took female partners. In group scenarios, he gave them little attention. Based on what I’ve learned, it seems unlikely that he’s your father.”
I sighed. It’s not like I hadn’t already suspected that, but hearing it confirmed still made my stomach drop. Clay must have seen my disappointment written plainly across my face, because he lifted his hand to trail his fingers across my cheek. His skin was soft against mine and for a second I let myself lean into that comfort until all too suddenly we both realized where we were and took a rushed step back from each other.
“Let’s get you back to your room,” he said a bit too quickly.
I nodded, falling into step beside him. “What do we do now?”
“I’m honestly not sure, Thea. My father has insisted on ending any further investigations into your background. He wants to focus on the ascension and avoid raising questions about your legitimacy as a Hyraxian Descendant.”
“I’m sure the lack of a Mark on my chest only expedited that decision,” I said dryly.
“If you want me to keep looking, just say the word.”
I hesitated, my mind flickering to Hyrax. If I really wanted to find out the truth about where I came from, he was the person I should be asking. And yet the thought of that conversation filled me with an uncomfortable amount of dread.
“Maybe your father is right. Maybe we should just let it go for now.”
“If that’s what you want,” he agreed, though I got the uneasy feeling that he still had something on his mind as he gazed at me from the corner of his eye.
“What?”
Clay frowned. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”
My chest tightened. “Of course.”
Silence hung between us for a moment.
“It just still feels like your mind is somewhere else these days. Like there’s something you’re not telling me.”
I swallowed down the guilt building in the back of my throat and opened my mouth to protest, but as we turned the corner into the Hall reserved for Descendants of Hyrax, I collided directly with Kent.
Kent reached out, holding onto my elbows until I had steadied on my feet. I nodded at him, then at Rankor, who stood slightly behind, grateful that their sudden entrance had stopped any further questioning from Clay. “Were you coming from my rooms?”
They wore plain clothes, which could only mean one thing: Rankor and Kent wanted to sneak out of the castle. We didn’t leave the castle frequently. When we did, it was to spend the evening at a local tavern where Kent would perform with a group of other musicians. It wasn’t a place considered appropriate for Clay and me as leaders of the country, but anyone who recognized us kept their mouths closed and the risk was usually worth it for a night away from all our responsibilities.
The last time we’d done it, though, we’d gone with Iris and Lorelai. We’d gone with Camilla.
“We’re dragging Iris out tonight,” Kent said with a wry grin. “It took some convincing, but I think it’ll be good for her.”
“Where is she?” I asked, looking towards the end of the hall with a naïve hope that she would appear in a bright gown with pink hair and a wide smile. I would do anything to see that version of her again.
“She’ll be along soon. Last we saw her she was talking with –"
“A lady-in-waiting,” Rankor interrupted. His tone was sharp, his gaze shifting to Clay with barely veiled animosity.
Clay, uncharacteristically, stepped aside and excused himself without another word.
