“And how exactly will you accomplish that?”
“By any means necessary. Coercion. Threats. Blackmail. Just leave it with me.”
“Okay. But compared to the other candidates, I’m going to stand out, quite literally head and shoulders above the pack. Regal will see me coming a mile away.”
The smile that lifted up the edges of Perri’s lips pulled at her scars. “Let him. Let him know we’re on his trail. Let him wonder why we’re there. Let him twist in the wind, wondering what we’re up to. Let him dread what we might say about him, and to whom we might say it.”
“You would really go with me? To the Palace? Face off with Regal?”
“For Levi, I’d do anything.”
“Will you… let Levi see your face?”
Dread suddenly swamped Perri, she hadn’t thought that far ahead in her planning. What would Levi, her son, think when he saw her face? Would he turn away from her? Laugh and point? Disown her? Though what did any of that matter as long as he was safe. “I’ll stay in the background, with my scarves on, acting as your chaperone. Regal will recognise my hair, my voice, it will set him to wondering what my agenda is. Am I his long dead wife come to life? Do I intend to make demands or some kind of claim upon him?”
“You’ll be setting yourself up at a target for his machinations.” Alia looked worried, her expression troubled.
“Good. Better his attention remains fixed on me… us, than upon Levi.”
“You almost sound like you relish the idea of getting under his skin.”
“I… I wish I were a better person, but the idea of witnessing Regal flummoxed and panicking as all his plots and plans disintegrate around him, it makes my heart sing.”
“Huh.”
“What?”
“Just something father said, I don’t give the man enough credit sometimes. You do know if Regal is backed into a corner, he’ll happily use Levi as a shield.”
“Then I have faith my sister, the Beast of Gloomenthrall, will lop off his head and save my child.”
“Gods, the Beast of Gloomenthrall walking the halls of the Golden Palace, a bridal candidate for the Prince, eating tiny sandwiches and making polite meaningless conversation. I pray you know what you’re doing, Perri.”
“Leave everything to me. Once I have the invitation in hand, I’ll then turn my attention to our wardrobes.” Eyeing Alia critically, sizing her sister up.
“I refuse to prance about in pastels and swish a useless fan about.”
“Actually, that’s a good idea.”
“Pastels and useless fans?” Horror etched its way across Alia’s face.
“No, the idea of rejecting the pastels and the dainty fans. Regal will recognise you the moment he sees you. But you’re no longer a girl, you’re the Beast of Gloomenthrall, why pretend to be anything else? Let’s rub his nose in the fact.”
“And how would we do that exactly?”
“I have a wonderful idea.”
“Am I going to hate it?”
“Possibly. Do you trust me?”
“With my life’s blood.”
There was a ring of gratifying conviction to Alia’s words that filled Perri with pride and joy. “Then trust me now.” Smiling as Alia emitted a small put upon groan. “Don’t be like that. Think of the Palace as just another hunting ground, and Regal is our prey.”
“That does make me feel a little better. I still don’t know how you intend to convince the Lordling to issue me with the bridal candidate invitation. This entire plan rests solely on us getting that invite.”
I already have an in with Lord De’Luca.” Perri gestured to the patient lying on her bed. “I’ve gotten to know him rather well over the past few days.”
