“He’s well. Nahlia is taking great care of him.”
“I miss him.” The truth breaks my heart. I miss that tiny baby. His smell. The way he fit in my arms. The way he smiled.
“I know.” Praxis stares down at the table, his eyebrows knitted together, his mouth tight.
“Praxis,” I say softly. “If I can do anything to help…”
His gaze remains locked for a beat before he looks up and nods. “Thank you, Sol.”
If only I could change things for him, but I cannot.
Praxis glances up as a group of seven warriors gather near the door. “I have to go.”
“Don’t forget your treats.”
Praxis’ mouth turns up in a small, weary smile as he reaches for the packet on the table. He nods at me, then he joins the other Bloodstone barbarians.
I leave the barracks and head toward the palace. The day before, I followed Leah until she led me to her bedchamber. I even learned which day she trains to make sure she would be occupied.
The nerves tense in my stomach as I get closer and closer to my mission. It’s not like I go around stealing things all the time.
Flurries fall against my head as I veer to the left, taking the last street to the palace. I yank up the hood on my cloak and keep my steps even, determined. If I look like I belong, nobody will suspect me.
Hopefully.
Probably.
Determination drives me as I enter the palace, following my usual path toward the hallway I share with Hector and most of the people we traveled from Astarobane with. The nerves multiply as I stop in front of Leah’s door and try the handle. Relief sweeps over me when it turns.
Sunlight filters through the windows, lighting my steps as I move into Leah’s room. I waste no time in throwing open her armoire and gathering the items I need. I shove them into my empty basket. Once the armor and surcoat are situated inside, I place the linen cloth over the top.
Now, to sneak back with these items.
Footsteps approach and stop outside Leah’s bedchamber. I slap a hand to my mouth as dread slams against my chest.
Nobody can catch me here. Hector would lock me up and never trust me again. And instead of that luxurious bed I slept in last night, I’d probably have that dreadful, lumpy mattress. A shudder heaves through me.
Hopefully, someone burned that thing.
I dart a glance around the room. I need an escape. Any kind of escape.
Hurry!
Quick.
The window to my left catches my attention. I tiptoe to it as fast as I dare, push aside the shutters, and climb out. I dangle from the edge for a beat, then let go. I land in a heap on the ground with my surcoat around my hips and my basket sprawled next to me.
Cool air blasts into my mouth as I suck in a deep breath, yank my surcoat back over my legs, gather the items, and shove them inside my basket.
I’m the worst thief ever!
As I scramble away, I adopt the same walk, the same determination, the same even pace. Everything in me screams with the urge to take off running.
But I cannot run. Everyone would see through me. They would catch me.
So, I keep walking toward a side entrance to the palace, the contents in my basket scalding me with intense guilt. It doesn’t matter that they’re items I need to achieve my mission. I still cannot shake the icky feeling in the pit of my stomach for stealing from Leah and having to deceive Hector.
I hurry inside and down the hallway to my bedchamber. With a quick turn, I push the door open and scramble to the washing room, where I hide the armor and surcoat behind stacks of drying cloths. It’s only a temporary hiding place.
