The Mirror King (Orphan Queen) by Jodi Meadows Page A

all. Suppose I was to tell someone I saw you creep back into your quarters like a thief, after you were forbidden to leave the palace? What would everyone say?”
    “Suppose you did. Oh, how awkward the questions would be for you. Why were you sneaking into a young lady’s bedchambers? What were you planning on doing to her?” My pulse thrummed in my throat; that was a good question.
    He narrowed his eyes. “Oh, dear Wilhelmina. All I’d have to say is that I was invited here. You want Aecor, after all. Everyone knows what you are: Black Knife, identity thief, flasher, wraith animator. You can claim you’re trying to apprehend your friend Patrick Lien as much as the rest of us, but for all I know, you were out there warning him of our plans and tactics.”
    Blood pounded through my ears. He was threatening me. “What do you want?”
    His smile crept up like a spider. “What do you think I want?”
    “Aecor. You want me to give up my kingdom.” And if I resisted . . . then what? He’d instigate an investigation? Happen upon proof I’d gone out as Black Knife?
    “I want you to give up everything.” His gaze slid down my body, as heavy as a touch. An awful crawling sensation mademy breath hitch and my body shudder. Phantom hands slithered across my skin, bruising, and a desperate part of me wanted to rush forward and drive my daggers into his chest.
    With a sharp smile, Prince Colin’s attention lingered on my legs. “Sleep well, Your Highness. I know I will.” He bowed and left the room.
    Head spinning, I took two deep breaths and listened to the sound of his footfalls through my sitting room. In my space.
    Rage fogged my vision as I darted after him, my blades ready. But he was already halfway through the door as I approached, and he shot me a chastising look, as though reminding me how utterly stupid it would be to kill him.
    “By the way, I heard an interesting rumor about my nephew. He was near death when I visited, but he seems quite recovered now. Interesting that you were present for both his miraculous healing, and that of his bodyguard.”
    With that, he strode down the hall, leaving me to stand in the empty doorway with my daggers clutched in my fists.
    No one was standing guard. Where—?
    Prince Colin. Of course.
    He could threaten all he wanted, but he couldn’t keep my kingdom.
    And I’d kill him before he touched me.
    I was out my door before dawn.
    Sergeant Ferris stood there with his arms across his chest, his brow drawn inward. “What happened to Chris?”
    “Who?” I scanned the hall, but other than the pair of guards at the wraith boy’s storage room, it was empty. There wasn’teven anyone standing outside Tobiah’s suite, though perhaps he was not as opposed to having them stationed inside.
    “Your overnight guard. And while I’m at it, where were your wraith monster’s guards?”
    “Ask them.” I brushed past him, focusing on keeping a neutral face as I strode down the hall.
    Sergeant Ferris followed. Of course. “Where can I take you?”
    As if he was the one doing the leading.
    “I have an appointment with Captain Rayner.”
    “This afternoon.”
    “He’ll see me this morning.”
    Further questions were met with silence, and only the dagger I’d strapped around my leg—hidden beneath my ocean-colored gown—helped the anxiety building in the back of my thoughts.
    The wood-paneled walls of James’s new office were bare except for a small plaque with the Rayner family crest engraved in brass, and a line of bookcases along the interior wall. They were filled with histories and tactical studies and atlases.
    “Your Highness.” James stood, his tone formal when I entered the room. “Please, come in and sit. Excuse the mess. I haven’t had much time to set up in here.” He motioned at the papers and books strewn across the desk. And in spite of his invitation, the chair on my side of the desk bore a tray piled with empty teacups and caddies.
    “Captain, a moment?”