Well, that was…offensive. I did not look like a Craven, which was what they insinuated.
“Ramsey? One of His Grace’s stewards?” Tawny challenged. “I should’ve stated, how could anyone credible claim that?”
“Britta claims that the few who’ve seen Prince Casteel say he’s actually quite handsome,” Loren tacked on.
“Oh, really?” Dafina murmured.
Loren nodded. “She said that was how he gained access to Goldcrest Manor. That Duchess Everton developed a relationship of a physical nature with him without realizing who he was, and that was how he was able to move freely through the manor.”
Part of that was true. My appearance had gotten me easy access to the manor. That was about it, though.
“Nearly all of what she says turns out to be true.” Loren shrugged, picking up a green jewel, an emerald one that reminded me of the Maiden’s eyes. “So, she could be right about Prince Casteel.”
“You should really stop saying that name.” Tawny smiled thinly as the two focused on her. “If someone overhears you, you’ll be sent to the Temples faster than you can say ‘I knew better.’”
Loren laughed. “I’m not worried. I’m not foolish enough to say such things where I can be overheard, and I doubt anyone present will say anything.”
“What…what if he was actually here?” Loren shuddered. “In the city now? What if that was how he gained access to Castle Teerman?” Something akin to excitement filled her tone. “Befriended someone here or perhaps even poor Malessa.”
“You don’t sound all that concerned by the prospect,” Tawny pointed out, picking up her cup. “To be blunt, you sound excited.”
“Excited? No. Intrigued? Possibly.” She lowered the mask to her lap, sighing. My brows rose. “Some days are just so dreadfully dull.”
“So, a good old rebellion may liven things up for you? Dead men and women and children are a source of entertainment?”
The looks of surprise on Loren’s and Dafina’s faces surely mirrored mine as shock rolled through me. I slowly turned my head to the Maiden. That had been her. She had spoken. Finally.
Loren recovered first. “I suppose I…I might’ve misspoken, Maiden. I apologize.”
“Please ignore Loren,” begged Dafina. “Sometimes, she speaks without any thought and means nothing by it.”
Loren nodded emphatically.
The Maiden said nothing as her head remained turned in their direction. However, there was no doubt in my mind they felt that hidden stare because they quickly departed after that.
“I think you scared them,” Tawny remarked.
The Maiden took a drink, and my eyes narrowed at how her hand trembled slightly. I stiffened, glancing at the door.
“Poppy.” Tawny touched her arm. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, placing the cup on the table. “Yes, I’m just…” She seemed unsure what to say in those moments.
I imagined that Dafina’s and Loren’s careless words had made her think of Keal. My jaw flexed.
“I’m okay,” the Maiden continued, her voice low. “I just can’t believe what Loren said.”
“Neither can I,” Tawny agreed. “But she’s always been…amused by the most morbid things. Like Dafina said, she means nothing by it.”
She nodded.
Tawny leaned toward her. “What are you going to do?” Tawny whispered.
“About the Dark One possibly being in the city?” The Maiden sounded confused.
“What? No.” Tawny squeezed her arm. “About him.”
“Him?”
Me?
The Maiden’s head tilted in my direction.
“Yes. Him.” Tawny let go of her arm. “Unless there’s another guy you’ve made out with while your identity was concealed.”
Okay, this was a far better conversation.
“Yes. There are many. They have an actual club,” the Maiden replied with the dryness I’d heard in her voice at the Red Pearl. “There’s nothing for me to do.”
“Have you even spoken to him?” Tawny asked.
“No.”
“You do realize you will have to actually speak in front of him at some point,” Tawny informed her, and yet again, she proved she was my favorite person in the kingdom.
“I’m speaking right now,” the Maiden argued, and I swallowed a laugh. She was speaking so low I knew she believed I couldn’t hear her.
Tawny called her out on that in the next heartbeat. “You’re whispering, Poppy. I can barely hear you.”
“You can hear me just fine.”
Tawny shook her head. “I have no idea how you haven’t confronted him yet. I understand the risks involved, but I would have to know if he recognized me. And if he did, why hasn’t he said anything?”
“It’s not like I don’t want to know, but there’s…” She trailed off, her veiled face turning to mine.
Again, I felt that stare, and the odd prickle at the nape of my neck worked its way down my spine. And as crazy as it all sounded, I didn’t see that damn veil. I saw her: face bare, stubborn and proud, with her chin lifted.
Left uneasy by the intensity of that vision and irritated with myself for standing there thinking idiotic things, I looked at the entry when I heard someone approaching. One of the Duke’s Royal Guards appeared. He gave a curt lift of his chin. Glancing over at the two women, I quickly made my way to the doors.
“His Grace has summoned the Maiden to his offices on the fourth floor.”
“Understood.” I turned from the Royal Guard, wondering what the Duke could want.
“He’s just doing his job,” the Maiden was saying. “And I…I just lost track of what I was saying.”
“Is that so?” Tawny replied, tone as dry as the Wastelands of the east.
“Of course.” She smoothed her hands over the lap of her gown.
“So, he was just making sure you’re still alive and—”
“Breathing?” I suggested, coming to stand by their table. Both jumped slightly. “Since I am responsible for keeping her alive, making sure she’s breathing would be a priority.”
The Maiden stiffened.
Tawny lifted a napkin to her mouth, appearing as if she were attempting to smother herself. “I’m relieved to hear that,” she managed.
I grinned at her. “If not, I’d be remiss in my duty, would I not?”
“Ah, yes, your duty.” Tawny removed her napkin. “Between protecting Poppy with your life and limb and gathering spilled crystals, you’re very busy.”
“Don’t forget assisting weak Ladies in Wait to the nearest chair before they faint,” I added, glancing at the Maiden and in no hurry to answer the Duke’s summons. “I am a man of many talents.”
“I’m sure you are.” Tawny returned my grin.
“Your faith in my skills warms my heart.” I looked at the Maiden. “Poppy?”
Her mouth clamped shut so quickly, I wondered if she cracked a molar.
“It’s her nickname,” Tawny explained. “Only her friends call her that. And her brother.”