Page 27 of The Shadows Between Us
“If I am to be your friend, surely you’ll wish to share your troubles?”
He doesn’t answer, as though just the mention of his troubles has his mind thinking of them.
I’ve lost him, so I say in a bright tone, “The council seems convinced of our ruse.”
In the time it takes me to blink, the shadows lighten, turning to amere haze, slowing in their movements. “Yes. They couldn’t stop congratulating me during our meetings today.”
“Then they approve of me?” Has Lord Ikaros dropped his suspicions of me?
“At this point, I’m certain they would approve of anything with a womb. They didn’t say a word about your eccentricities.”
“What eccentricities?”
“Your clothing,” he says with a smile.
“That’s hardly fair coming from a man clothed in shadows.”
“Under my shadows is perfectly normal attire.”
“Not that anyone would notice. You stand out like a spark in a dark room all on your own. For someone like me? I have to try to stand out.”
“Not anymore,” he says. “You are being courted by the king. That fact alone makes you the most popular girl in the world.”
CHAPTER
8
A new slew of letters is delivered to me the next morning. For the most part, they’re additional invitations to luncheons and balls and banquets. But one letter stands out. It’s from Father.
Dear Alessandra,
Word has just reached me that the king has publicly announced your courtship. You have my congratulations. I’m proud of you. Though, I admit I’m disappointed that I had to hear the details from Lord Eliades instead of you. (The poor man appears smitten with you. He was quite upset over the news. It would seem we already have an excellent backup plan in place should you fail with the king. Orrin is very rich, after all.)
I pause in reading to shake off the thought of having to marry Eliades. He’s quite handsome, but I wouldn’t last two minutes alone with the man. Not if he thinks charity and saving kittens are the most interesting topics of conversation. I continue reading.
Your sister was most glad to hear of your courtship as well. She—
I skip that paragraph.
Finally, I should tell you a constable came by the house, accompanied by Faustus Galanis, Baron of Drivas. You remember Lord Drivas, don’t you? I believe you befriended his son, Hektor. Surely you remember the poor lad went missing some three years ago? Lord Drivas is now convinced his son is dead, and he and a Constable Hallas are conducting an investigation. They asked me quite a lot of questions about your relationship with Hektor. I think they’re hoping you might have an idea of where he could have gone after he ran away.
I’ve told them you saw Hektor only a handful of times when he came by the estate with his father, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they should wish to question you personally. Anything you can tell them about the last time you saw Hektor would probably prove most useful.
And by the devils, please tell me he was not one of your bedmates. It wouldn’t do at all if that came out during their investigation. Not when you’re making such headway with the king!
Do be careful, darling, and perhaps do what you can to speed up that courtship. Hmm?
Sincerely,
Your Loving Father
My hand has the letter in a death grip by the time I read the signature. Why the devils would an investigation suddenly be brought up? They couldn’t have found Hektor’s body, could they?
No, I assure myself. No, they couldn’t possibly…
IT WAS DIFFICULT GETTINGHektor’s body out of my room after I killed him. The only stroke of luck was that he insulted me in my bed, and that’s where he drew his last breath. That made it possible to roll him into an empty trunk. I latched the biggest lock I could find onto it and shut the key inside with Hektor’s body before closing it.
No one was getting inside that trunk without a hatchet.
