“The prince trusts no one but me. You were the backup. In case the other man couldn’t do what was necessary.”
“My grandson,” mumbled Duke Gulfton from the bench. He was looking straight at Rozaria. Paxton was about to tell the man to quiet down, for his own protection, but to his shock Rozaria replied to him.
“All in good time.” She stared at him.
“Wait.” Paxton looked back and forth. “That bag of bones is the other inside man?”
Rozaria smiled. “He has been most helpful these months.”
Paxton tried to process it. There was no way this old man could have overpowered Aerity. It had to be someone else.
“Listen,” he said to Rozaria. “Aerity Lochson isn’t here. I took my eyes off her for twenty minutes and she disappeared. I lost sight of the younger princess and lady in all the madness as well, but I assume they were ushered away.”
Again, she gave him a knowing, wicked smile. “Duke,” she crooned to the old man, “be so kind as to lead us to the king’s office.”
The man pushed to his feet and shuffled down the hall.Paxton’s heart had not slowed one bit. He peered at Nicola, who trailed behind them. He did not like having her at his back.
“I can show you the way.” He moved impatiently past Duke Gulfton and the prince and his men. Why were they going to the office? He just wanted to find out where Aerity was. If they hurt her, or worse, he would kill every last one of them with his bare hands.
Paxton gritted his teeth as he reached the office door. It felt wrong, so wrong, leading them into the Lochlanach royal room. He pushed open the door with reluctance. They all looked around, touching things, making unimpressed remarks. Paxton moved against the wall near the door and stood with his feet apart, hands clasped in front of himself, and watched. Waiting. His quick-moving blood made his skin feel like it might ignite at any moment.
The prince looked to a tall Kalorian dressed in impeccable silks and gave him an order in Kalorian. Paxton held his breath as the man looked at Duke Gulfton and asked, “Where is she?”
“My grandson, first,” said the duke.
“Of course. He awaits you, as promised. Give us the young queen.”
To Paxton’s utter horror, the old man walked behind the desk and pulled down several books, pushing the bookshelf inward with much effort. Paxton nearly flew across the room when he saw Aerity on the floor within. She brought a handup to shield her eyes, squinting.
She was alive! He crushed his teeth together to keep from yelling her name. So help him, if anyone tried to hurt her . . .
“My grandson! I’ve done everything you asked.” The old man’s voice shook. “I’ve given you my whole kingdom. Now give me my grandson!”
“Of course, papa,” said the Kalorian royal. “He awaits you this very day. It is time for you to join him.”
“Aye,” the duke said in a joyful whisper. He stared up at the man, who patted his sunken cheek once, twice, and then settled his hand on the duke’s face until his blissful look fell away, and he collapsed on the floor in a pile of robes.
Chapter
39
Aerity screamed as Duke Gulfton crumpled, and then clapped a hand over her mouth when all eyes turned to her. Her vision was still adjusting. She scrambled to push to her feet and stand, staring back at all of them, so many Kalorians. Her eyes landed on the man with the most ornate robes and bands of gold around his neck, and then her eyes went up to the crown on his head—herfather’scrown—and she fought for composure.
In a quick, calculated moment, she recalled what Paxton had told her about the Kalorian ruler, and she made a decision. The only way to beat them would be to join them. Or to pretend. She begged the seas to make her act believable.
She cocked her head at the prince and wet her lips.
“Is that you, Prince Vito?”
At the sound of his name a smile played on his face. “You remember me?”
“Of course. You were the most handsome lad at that dreadful ball.” She’d been nine at the time, and he thirteen. She had never met such a sour, spoiled, unpleasant lad in her life.
His eyes narrowed as if suspecting deception, and then he chuckled. “I always did hate forced entertainment.” He steadied his crown, making a show of it.
Aerity stepped slowly forward until she was in the bookshelf doorway.
“Don’t come any closer,” warned Rozaria. Then she narrowed her eyes and studied her. “You look . . . different.”
