Page 15 of Dewpoint
“Seven o’clock,” I mumbled.
She was subtle the way she did it, but within seconds she glanced behind her before focusing on me again. “Does he know you can do this?”
“Yes,” I hedged. “I did it once on accident when I was home, but I was younger. I don’t…”
“Can you change?” she asked hopefully. She nodded when I sighed. “Can you learn to do it, because evidently that’s smart?”
“It is, but finding the time to do it. It’s not—this is just easy now.”
“Always good to have goals,” she pushed but then let it go.
There was no good way to get out of the little alcove of stalls we were in, but we still tried.
And failed.
“Myriam, I didn’t expect to see you out here,” Benson greeted as he dipped his head. He was with a group of guards clearly on their off time enjoying what lots in Nerthus did in the summer.
“Well, while none of you care enough to make sure Sagan enjoys the fun of her home, I’m still going to at least check it out since this is my first time visiting Nerthus,” she said with a fake smile.
Wow, she was pissed for me. That was genuinely touching.
The group of eight guards immediately went tense and Benson narrowed his eyes at Myriam. “The queen only has to ask and we would—”
“Oh yes, I’m sure she feels comfortable with that given half the guards seemed to be in the elders’ pockets. They still have their jobs, right?” Myriam said with a deathly cold tone. “And the other half of you treat her like an outsider and were too stupid to see through that ‘adopted sister’ whore’s act.”
“That’s not even—”
“It’smorethan fair,” she snapped and jabbed her finger into his chest… Which was honestly impressive because Benson had maybe two feet on her. “And your job is to serve and protect your queen. Hers is to take care of her people. You think she’d ask and risk any of you? Why, so someone can accuse her of being selfish or frivolous?”
“Your point has been made,” Benson bit out before seeming to realize I was there. “This isn’t a conversation for outside and especially not in front of strangers. Who’s your friend?”
“That’s fair,” Myriam accepted. “I apologize for the place, but seeing you all get to enjoy something I know she never has is infuriating.” She gestured to me. “Someone I met getting the lay of Nerthus. It’s fine.”
I wasn’t sure what to do, so I went with my best acting instincts and was glad my magic would change my voice too. “You didn’t tell me you worked for the queen.”
Myriam shrugged it off. “I’m a lot of things. Have a nice night, gents. I want to see the rest of the market.”
I went to move with her but flinched when Benson stepped in front of me.
“I didn’t get your name,” he hedged, studying me too closely. “Have we met?”
“I didn’t give it,” I drawled. “You didn’t give me yours either and I don’t care to ask it. Excuse me.”
A few of the guards chuckled as I forced past Benson with a shoulder check. It was beyond rude he blocked my path like that.
And not just because I was the queen. Who was he to question a woman on the street?
“What’s up?” I asked about an hour later when I was finally full and Myriam seemed on edge.
“We have a tail,” she muttered. “Split at the next fork and duck behind the stalls to get out while I handle it.” She shook her head when I argued. “Don’t make it worse by doubting me. I got this.”
I really hoped so, but I felt like a coward doing what she said. I made it back to the castle but had to duck around too many corners and watch my butt to get in.
Benson’s stepping up security. About time and fucking annoying.
Finally, I managed to get in but then froze as I realized I wasn’t alone in the library.
Onyx’s eyes flashed shock as he took me in. “Why are you sneaking about like that?”
