“Fantastic.” I stretch my neck to the side, the resounding crack unraveling all my pent-up tension. “Have you seen Sheina?”
Marisol averts her eyes. “I haven’t.”
My stomach twists. We’ve been here for days and ever since my new ladies showed up, it seems like she’s disappeared completely. I’m curious to know what she’s doing, but more than that, I miss my friend.
“I think I’ll go try to find her.” I move toward the door.
“Wait!” Marisol screeches. “You can’t just go running around the castle on your own.”
Tension knots up my spine and I turn, taking calculated steps until I’m standing in front of her. We lock eyes and she sucks in a breath, holding my stare, but I don’t say a word.
Her fingers clench the swatches she’s still holding, and she drops her gaze.
I lean in close, my voice quiet and sharp. “I wasn’t asking permission, Marisol. You are not my keeper, and I will do as I please.”
“I—apologies, milady.”
Anger works its way through my middle and up my throat, but I push it back, allowing the uncomfortable air to sit stagnant for long moments.
Eventually, I step away, smiling. “It’s settled then. I’m going for some air, and you’ll stay here and plan the ball.” I reach out, placing my hand on her shoulder and squeezing, my nails digging ever so slightly into her shoulder. “I trust you’ll do an incredible job representing me. After all, it’s not every day a king chooses you to be his wife, and I need a stellar reputation.”
Her shoulders stiffen, and affirmation of what I suspected trickles through my insides. She’s envious.
Spinning around, I make my way to the door and turn the handle, stepping into the dimly lit hall. Someone appears in front of me, making my heart slap against my ribs.
“Oh,” I gasp, my hand rising to my chest. “Timothy. I didn’t expect you here.”
He doesn’t respond, just stands there, his dark eyes watching me.
“Still not allowed to speak?” Sighing, I rest a hand on my hip. “If you’re always here, who’s with His Majesty?”
This time he reacts, but only barely, lifting his brows as he takes a step closer.
“So, you’re my guard dog now, I take it?” I run a hand down the sleeve of my dress. “Very well, let’s go for a walk.”
I turn away and move forward, hearing the clank of his footsteps behind me.
It must be five or ten minutes before I try to speak to him again. I’m sure I’m lost inside the maze that is the castle halls, but if Timothy isn’t willing to step in and help a girl out, then I won’t ask him to steer me in the right direction.
“Have you seen Sheina?” I ask, trying for the thousandth time to get him to crack.
I’m not surprised when there isn’t a response.
“Who’s Sheina?” A loud voice booms from around the corner. My footsteps stutter at the voice and I stop walking when Paul appears, dressed down in tan corduroys and a light shirt, a monstrous grin on his face.
“Paul, I was hoping I’d see you again.” I smile.
His gaze falls behind me, landing on Timothy before they come back. “Were you?”
“Do you know Timothy?”
“Better than anyone.” Paul’s grin widens, his auburn hair bouncing as he places his hands in his pockets. “Timmy’s my best mate.”
Genuine shock ripples through my chest and I twist to look at the guard behind me. “Oh?” I turn back around, bringing a hand up to cup my mouth as I speak to Paul. “He doesn’t like to talk to me, you know? I think he’s intimidated.”
Paul smirks. “Of that, I have no doubt.”
Amusement floats through my chest, light and airy, and I grasp on to the feeling, hoping if I hold tight enough, it will stick. “We’re going on a walk. Would you like to join us?”
Paul hesitates, rocking back on his heels. “I’m not sure it’s wise to be seen with me around the castle, milady.”
I raise a brow, irritation bleeding into my skin. “Why don’t you let me worry about that.”
A beautiful grin takes over his face, teeth gleaming as he nods and walks right up to me, stretching out his arm. “Well, in that case.”
I hook my hand in the crook of his elbow and allow him to escort me down the hallway, expecting him to lead me in the right direction since clearly Timothy is content to allow me to walk around in circles. But he doesn’t take us to the front of the castle like I expect. Instead, he leads us through narrow hallways and past countless rooms before we reach a small enclave with a dark wooden door.