He was drunk and didn’t realize what he was doing.
What is the point of hiding this truth? I’m tired of lies. So damn tired. Tears spill down my cheeks, and there isn’t a damn thing I can do to stop them. “I love him, Braith.”
Her quiet gasp echoes in the silence. “You’re in love with the prince?”
All I can do is nod.
“Heavens above, Wynn. How did this happen? You’ve only been at the castle for a few days.”
“Senan and I met before I worked at the castle.” Once the words find their way to my lips, I can’t keep the truth from breaking free. “We were desperately in love, but then fate stolehim from me. Now he is to marry another, and it feels as if my heart has been ripped from my chest. I’ve tried to stop loving him, but I can’t.” Even after all this time, Senan Vale is more precious to me than the sun.
Someone calls Braith’s name.
I scrub at these infernal tears, wishing for a mask to hide my shameful feelings. It’s one thing to break down in front of someone I’ve come to trust and another thing entirely to let the others see how broken I really am.
Mari’s dark skirts sway and swish with each hurried step she takes. “Thank the stars I found you,” she gasps, her freckled cheeks flushed from exertion.
Braith catches the woman’s shoulders. “Why? What is wrong?”
“It’s Jeston,” Mari says. “Prince Senan ordered him sent to the pit.”
No… Not the pit.
“...he put his hands on you.”
Is this my fault?
Mari swipes her sleeve across her glistening brow. “Can you run back to the caverns and ask Jeston’s uncle to help? Del and I have our hands full trying to talk the lads down. They’re picking fights with every blasted Scathian they see. They’re going to start a bloody riot.”
Are they mad? They’ll all end up in the pit. We must put an end to this before it gets any worse. “I thought Jeston’s uncle owned the bar?”
Braith’s lips press flat. “She means his other uncle. The House Master.”
Talk about connections… Does the House Master have that sort of sway? Perhaps I can speak to Senan on Jeston’s behalf. Convince him to see reason. Would he deny me out of spite because I walked away?
This is such a bloody disaster.
Braith darts a glance at me before agreeing. “Of course. We’ll go straight away.”
Mari thanks her and races back around the corner.
Braith’s hand finds mine. “If Jeston has been sent to the pit, the House Master won’t be able to do a damned thing. Do you think you can use your relationship with the prince to help Jeston?”
“I can try.” The man certainly doesn’t deserve to pay for my mistakes.
By the timewe reach the cavern gates, we’re both drenched in sweat and gasping for breath. The guards must recognize us because they let us straight through. I have no idea when Senan will return to the castle but decide to go to his room straight away, before I lose my nerve.
First, I’ll need to change into my uniform to keep from rousing suspicion.
Braith follows me into my room and sinks onto the edge of my bed, her puffy eyes fixed on the floor. Despite running all the way here, her cheeks aren’t flushed but pale as the dress I drag from the drawer. “I think I’m going to be sick…” She bends forward, resting her head on her knees.
If only I could reassure her. But there is no telling what Senan is going to say when I go to him. I quickly untie the laces and slip out of the dress she let me borrow, trading the black garment for my white uniform. “Lay down on my bed. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” My sleeves catch on my shift, pulling the undergarment down with it. With my useless hands trembling, ittakes far too long to get the material to lay right. “I don’t suppose you know which room is Senan’s?”
“Central tower. Twentieth floor, room one. But it’s warded, so you’ll need permission from the House Master. His apartments are in the back of his office, off the canteen.”
I leave my friend in my room and hurry to the dim canteen to pound on what I hope is the House Master’s door, but no one answers. It’s the middle of the night, so he is probably sleeping. I pound harder.
Come on.