Page 19 of Mirror of Malice


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I sighed. Probably not. Still, having issues with a ruler didn’t merit starting a war, being the cause of so much death.

I thought of my mother, who I barely remembered because of the false king and queen, because of the mountain dwellers. She lost her life far too soon, and I’d never be able to forgive them for being the cause.

“Hmm” was all Shadow said in response to my silence. She stretched her arms out, running her fingers through the water, but didn’t say anything else in response to my claims. None of them did.

I sank deeper into the water, until only my eyes skimmed over the top. I hated this. Hated being here. But I’d keep playing their little game, because eventually, I’d win.

Chapter Nine

Itossed and turned in the bedroll, unable to get comfortable. The forest was silent, the sky above bright with stars that peeked through the canopies.

After all that time spent in prison, I should’ve been used to this. I huffed and flipped over to my other side. Looked like I wasn’t going to be sleeping tonight. If Penn wanted me to train and become the skilled thief he needed, this was certainly not the way to do it. I’d be no use to anyone with a sore back and heavy eyes. But that was his problem to worry over, not mine.

I had plenty of my own.

I let out a groan of frustration. This was no use. I might as well get up and explore instead of laying here, uncomfortable and miserable. I stood, dusting the dirt and foliage from my pants and shirt. I needed to get a good idea of where I was, start mapping out this forest so that when the time came to escape, I’d be ready. I grabbed one of the lanterns that hung on a post just outside the little clearing. A chill ran through me as I walked out of the clearing and into the forest, still and silent.

I wandered aimlessly, but it was too dark to see anything of significance.

Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.

It wasn’t practical to try and map out a forest at night, but what choice did I have? I couldn’t exactly walk around with a paper and quill during the day, asking for landmarks. That wouldn’t raise any suspicions.

A branch cracked nearby on the forest floor, and I jumped, my heart galloping in my chest. Okay, this was definitely a bad idea. I just needed to return to the clearing and close my eyes and try to sleep. I turned to go back when I heard voices in the distance.

Male voices.

Something scurried along the ground, and I lifted my lantern, the light shining on a little mouse. That must’ve been what made the noise. Not a monster, just a critter. I could handle that. Especially if it meant finding out what someone else was doing out here in the middle of the night.

I steeled myself and followed the sound of the voices, using my lantern to keep me from running into any trees or tripping over stumps. Mostly. I did run into one tree, but that was because I was looking behind me at a screeching owl that had been perched on a branch.

The voices grew louder, and I crouched behind a few bushes, dimming the lantern light. I peeked over the top to see Penn and Wayfinder standing outside a white tent pitched in the middle of the forest. The same tent I’d woken up in after being brought here. Oh no, was this... Penn’s tent? Had I slept in his bed? Maybe not. Maybe this was just a tent they used for mission planning and bantering and...

“I don’t have time to argue about this,” Penn said. “So tell me what is bothering you and then get out of my tent so I can get some sleep.”

Oh, spirits below.

“We need a better plan,” Wayfinder said. “She’s not ready for this.”

Even from here, I could see the way Penn’s fists curled tight, could see the irritation in his tensed muscles. “That’s why we’re training her.”

His bed. I’d slept in his bed. My skin touched the same places his skin touched. Heat prickled over my skin, and I gritted my teeth.Focus. Focus, Liliath.

“She’s not a warrior. She’s definitely not a thief.” Wayfinder shook his head.

Penn’s jaw tensed, and he stomped into the tent, not bothering to hold open the flap for Wayfinder.

Wayfinder sighed and followed him inside as Penn lit a candle, and I heard their voices again, this time muffled. I needed to get closer. I slowly stood, leaving the lantern behind and creeping toward the tent.

Their shadows stretched over the tent’s walls. I crept as close as I dared and pressed my back against a tree, peering at them as they continued their discussion.

“Do you really think this is worth it?” Wayfinder asked, holding up an object. “The Huntsman is getting closer. You know he’ll be here for her soon, and he won’t spare the lives of anyone who gets in his way.” I squinted, trying to make out what was in his hand. It had a rounded head, and he held onto the handle, raising it up.

Penn grabbed it and set it down on a table. “Careful,” he hissed. “Do you know how hard it was to steal this from the queen?”

The queen of what? I couldn’t help myself. I stepped away from the tree and closer to the tent. Maybe I could find an opening and peek through.

“I do,” Wayfinder said. “This is the entire reason I had to escort Liliath to Mosswood Forest after you rescued her.”