by Cora Caraway
“Good evening, my lady.” He bows on the last step. As he takes my hand, I register that he’s wearing a purple tie that matches my dress perfectly. “Ready for dinner?”
I nod, grasping his fingers gratefully in mine. Together, we head for the towering double doors that lead to the dining room.
“Are you all right?” Damon asks.
“Why?”
“It’s just that you’re gripping my hand rather tightly.”
“Sorry.” I try to disentangle myself from him.
“Don’t be.” He gives me a reassuring squeeze. “Ready?”
I’m not, but he pushes the doors open anyway.
There’s something different in the air tonight. Instead of announcing us, the herald coughs nervously. Instead of bustling around the long table, white-gloved servants shift from foot to foot, eyes darting around the room.
In their high-backed chairs, the king and queen sit stony-faced. Their robes are golden today, but judging by their expressions, they could not care less about their luxurious surroundings.
I glance at Nic, who seems to be brooding in the corner. He gives his head a slight shake, eyes fixed on Marc.
Oh no. My heart sinks. What has he done? Marc is turned away from us, but I would bet anything that a smug smile plays on his lips.
Damon draws me close, his hand on my waist. “What is it? We’re late, but not that late.”
King Darius sets his hands on the table, pushing himself from his chair. “The queen’s necklace is gone.”
“Not just gone.” Queen Sarina’s shrill voice cuts through us all. “Stolen!” She purses her lips until they turn white.
“Well, have the guard sort it out.” Damon pulls out a chair for me. “That’s what they’re there for. We can eat while they work.”
“You insolent brat,” Sarina hisses. “Always thinking of yourself. No one’s going to eat again until it’s found. And the culprit punished.”
There’s no way I’m going to sit when the queen could reveal herself to be a gorgon at any moment. She really should get her pressure checked if she’s making those sounds.
Damon opens his mouth, but a look from his father stops him. I’m surprised, because Darius doesn’t look angry. He looks profoundly sad.
The prince takes a breath. “Should we retire to our rooms then, Father? If it’s a matter of security, there’s not much we can do to help.”
“This isn’t just any old bauble.” Sarina is practically spitting. “It was my coronation gift.” She glares at me. “It’s worth more than you’ll ever be.”
I take a step back. That’s an awful lot of hostility from someone who barely knows me. I can see where Marc gets it from.
“Father,” Damon asks, his voice tight, “are we dismissed?”
The king sighs. “Whoever took the necklace broke into the queen’s quarters. There are no cameras in there.”
“Your point being?” the prince asks.
“We have no proof of who committed this crime. We have to suspect everyone.”
“Even me, Father?” Though he tries to deliver the words in a deadpan manner, I can hear the furious undertone.
“Just oblige us, please? Oh, and make sure Lady Sparrow cooperates.”
There’s a sudden pounding in my ears as everyone looks at me. Did I hear that right? The room starts to spin.
“This is outrageous,” Damon says. “She’s been with me all day, anyway.”
Marc turns toward us. “Really? You didn’t think we’d suspect your new friend?” He rises, but merely examines his fingernails. “She stole your car, in case you’ve forgotten. Wrecked it, too.”
“Stay out of this, Marc,” Damon growls.
“Don’t blame me for the company you keep, brother.” He smirks at me.
No. No, no, no. I can feel the blood drain from my face. Marc has set me up. He’s cornered me again, just not physically this time. Not even Nic can save me now.
“Return to your rooms if you wish,” the king says. “Guards will be posted in every corridor. Your persons and rooms will be searched. Please don’t aggravate the palace guard.”
The servants bow, removing their white gloves. Damon turns on his heel, dragging me along as he storms from the room. He throws open the doors, and we’re met with a pair of guards.
“Sorry, Highness. We have to search you.”
“Her, too.”
Damon bites back a curse. “Fine. Be quick about it.”
One of the guards has me lean against a wall. He runs his hands lightly over my body. We both know that this is a farce, since my dress hides nothing. Still, he does linger in one place a bit too long.
“It’s not up my ass, you know,” I tell the guard.
His face flushes as Damon fixes him with a frosty stare.
“You may go, my lady.”
Damon’s pat down takes longer, since he has a jacket and pockets. The second guard hurries over him, probably trying to keep the prince from getting angrier.
“I-I’m going to have to ask you to spread your legs, Highness.”
Damon’s glare turns to ice. “I really wouldn’t.”
“Um… Nicolai?”
Nic pats the guard on the back. “I’ll take it from here. He’ll get a full strip search, don’t worry.”
The bodyguard sets his hand on our shoulders, steering us into the main hall.
“I’m so sorry, Grace,” Damon says. “My parents can be so embarrassing.”
“Welcome to the club. We have seven billion members.” As much as I want to laugh about it, I am unnerved that both monarchs singled me out like that.
“They aren’t usually this crass, I promise. I’ll have them make it up to you someday.”
Unless I’m run out over false accusations, of course.
Nic walks through the columns. “Upstairs, Highness? I want to supervise the search of your room.”
“I’d better go.” Damon gives my hand one last squeeze, though it doesn’t feel as reassuring this time. “I need to make sure they don’t find my safe.”
“What should I do?”
“You’ll be fine. Just let them search your room and it’ll be over. Then relax on the terrace. You have nothing to worry about. Remember, you were with me all day.” He smiles, bows, and follows Nic to the elevator. The doors close on them, leaving me alone in the giant hall.
My stomach feels like it’s twisting itself into knots. I wish being with him all day would absolve me. And I wish I could be as trusting as him that this isn’t going to turn sour, and fast.
“Sorry,” Marc says, leaning against a column.
I whirl on him. “Stop doing that!”
“Doing what?”
“Sneaking up on me! And what are you sorry for, anyway?”
He rolls his eyes. “I’m sorry you’ll be leaving us. I thought that should be obvious.”
“Why should I leave? I didn’t steal anything.”
Marc smirks.
“But you did, didn’t you?”
He takes out a gold coin, flipping it between his fingers. “Why would I steal anything? I’m rich. And to take my mother’s own jewels? Well, that’s just too despicable for words.”
I cross my arms, barely able to contain my rage.
“You know what else is despicable? Crashing my brother’s car. That one was supposed to be mine when he got a new one. So that’s one Koenigsegg you owe me. Also, I heard that there was a crown stolen. It was returned, which was a huge relief to us all, but there’s still no sign of the person with the light fingers.”
“Marc…”
“Don’t interrupt me. First the car, then the crown. I must say, what a move, to win Damon’s trust like that. You’ve got him wrapped around your finger now, don’t you? Helping him with ‘security.’ Now that’s a stroke of genius. He took you to the Jewel Room, didn’t he? His back would only need to be turned for a moment for you to slip it in your pocket.” One side of his lip curls as he looks me up and down. �
��No pockets now, but I’m sure you’ve hidden it away somewhere.”
“I didn’t take it, and you know it.”
“Of course you didn’t. I took it off her dresser. But that’s not what matters. What matters is where it is now. What matters is what Damon will think if you’ve stolen not one, not two, but three things from our family. He might excuse you for two, but three? That’s a bit of a stretch, even for my dull-witted brother.”
“Well, I’ll just tell him what you said, you ass. Do you really think Damon’s going to believe you over me?”
Marc slips the coin into his pocket. “It won’t matter what he believes. It’ll matter what the guards believe. And it won’t be your word against mine, it’ll be your word against hard, physical evidence.” He leans close to me. Too close. “Give me one kiss—and mean it. That’s all you need to do to make this mess go away.”
I can smell his breath, and it isn’t pleasant. “I’d slap you if I hadn’t just washed my hands.”
“Your choice. I hope you’ve enjoyed your stay at the palace. I’d estimate that you have about…” he looks at his wristwatch, “half an hour to find me and change my mind. When the guards have you in custody, you’ll change your mind. And then you’ll need to give me more than a kiss.” He inclines his head, his lips next to my ear. “It’s been nice talking to you, Grace.”
My blood turns to ice as he strolls away. I know he’s planted the necklace in my room. As if in a dream, I float down the hallway toward the blue door. Another pair of guards is checking one of the first rooms on the hall. Their backs are to me as I glide past them. I still have some time.
I slip into my room, though the blue door seems to offer very little protection. Marc’s estimate might not be too far off. I have about thirty minutes, give or take. Thirty minutes to foil him.
All I have to do is find the necklace. Well, that’s not all. I still have to hide it better until I can figure out a way to return it. No doubt Marc has “suggested” where one of the guards assigned to my room should look. But as long as I find it first, I have some kind of a chance.
I start with the obvious places. Under the pillows. Under the bed. I look in the jewelry box beside the bed, but there are only a few earrings and bangles, probably forgotten by the previous occupant. I try to breathe normally. Marc pretty much warned me of what he did, didn’t he? He wouldn’t have made it too obvious.
Groaning, I open the wardrobe. It seemed big before, but now that a necklace could be hidden in one of a thousand places, it seems endless. I check coat pockets, pants pockets, the inside of hangars. I rip shoes from their boxes, turning them upside down to see if anything’s hiding in the toes. As I claw through rack after rack, I’m afraid I’ll go insane. Who needs this much clothing, anyway?
I have to give up on the wardrobe. But just in case, I move some hangars and shoeboxes around. If Marc put the necklace in the third shoebox on the right, the guards will have to search for that box for some time.
Where else could it be? It’s not in any of the drawers. I pat things down the best I can, but there’s still the chance I’ll miss something. Stepping into the bathroom, I check the shower, then the toilet tank for good measure. I’m disappointed to find nothing but the usual bobs and chains. Going back to the main room, I run my fingers under the mattress. Just sheets.
I remember Damon opening panels in the wall. One was to put a meal in the fridge for me. I open it, and find the fridge clean and empty. Servants must check these places daily. It’s probably not a good place for a stolen necklace. For peace of mind, I check the microwave. It’s also empty.
Where could it be? I’m running out of guesses. I let myself sink onto the bed for a moment, putting my head in my hands. I need a minute, just one minute to relax and clear my mind. But I’m not sure I can afford it.
I stare at the rose, proud in its new vase. The guards will be here soon. They’ll know exactly where to look. I’ll be escorted out of the palace, and most likely out of the country. If I’m lucky, I’ll get to say goodbye to Damon. Then, this rose will be all he has to remember me. It’s not much, but it does look so pretty. That vase is perfect for it.
The vase. I stiffen. It had been behind another hidden panel, one I never would have seen if Damon hadn’t opened it. Where had it been?
I crouch, peering at the wall. It was somewhere around here. And how had Damon opened it? He had casually flicked his hand against the wall. He had barely had to reach down. There. I press my hand against the wall, and something clicks. The panel slides open.
There, coiled on a shelf, lies a necklace. It’s made of huge pink pearls. This must be the one. I can’t believe it. I found it.
The door creaks open. How wonderful. I’ve just screwed myself.
“Can you believe it? Guards at every junction, searching all the rooms. Even mine! As if I’d steal something like that.”
It’s Eris, pushing a laundry cart. My heart remembers how to beat again.
“What’s wrong, my lady—I mean, Grace?”
As she closes the door, I can hear the guards knocking one room over. My legs stop working, and I slither to the floor. There’s nothing left to lose at this point.
“I think I found what they’re looking for.” I show her the necklace.
Eris claps a hand over her mouth. “My lady! They’ll kill you!”
“They probably won’t kill me. I wouldn’t be surprised if they maimed me, though.”
“My lady, how did you get that?”
I wish she’d stop calling me that, but there’s no time to correct her. “Marc’s trying to blackmail me.” Wow. It sounds so silly when I say it aloud. Like I’m in a soap opera or something. Surely she won’t believe me. She’ll call to the guards and turn me in.
“Marc?” Her mouth sets in a hard line. “I happen to owe him one. Hand over the necklace.”
I don’t have much choice. I hold it out for her.
Eris tucks it under the laundry cart’s lid. “No worries. I’ll get it back to him. I’ll try to hang around so I can see the look on his face once it’s found. That vile piece of scum.” The maid straightens, pushing up her sleeves. In this moment, she really doesn’t look like someone I’d want to cross.
“What did he do to you?” I ask.
“Never you mind.”
“You could tell Damon, you know. Or Nic.”
“Nic?” Her face flushes, maybe with anger at some imagined revenge the bodyguard could exact. “Oh no, I don’t want him dead, my lady. That would be far too kind for the likes of Marc.”
Someone raps on the door. “Palace Guard. Please open for inspection.”
“Don’t be scared,” Eris whispers. “Shut that panel.”
I obey as quietly as I can. Shoeboxes spill out of the wardrobe, and the bed sheets look disheveled, but there’s no time to tidy them now.
“Open up.” There’s another rap, louder this time.
I rise, stepping away from the hidden panel. Eris nods at me, then swings open the door. She pushes her cart forward, nearly plowing into the guards.
“Watch it there!” one of them shouts.
“You watch it,” Eris retorts. “Work doesn’t stop around here just because you’re on some kind of scavenger hunt.”
“This isn’t a scavenger hunt,” says the shorter guard. “We’re searching for the queen’s necklace, in case you haven’t heard. It’s top priority. We’ll need to search your cart.”
My heart thuds against my ribs. Surely the guards can hear it. If Eris is about to be blamed for this, it’ll be my fault.
“Don’t go rummaging through my cart.” Eris has the audacity to slap the man’s hands away. “The queen’s delicates are in here. If you think she’s mad about a necklace, wait until I tell her you’ve ruined her things, and delayed her clean laundry to boot!”
“Excuse me, miss,” the taller guard says, “but have you been searched yet?”
“Have you searched him yet?” Eris points to the other gu
ard. “How do you know he isn’t in on this whole missing necklace thing? Where has he been all day?”
The guards exchange a glance, like they’ve run into Eris before. “Just go, miss.”
“You’d better let me go. You don’t want me mixing your whites and colors.” Eris wheels the cart away, all the while muttering dire threats about what she could do to the men’s laundry.
All three of us relax when she rolls out of earshot.
“You think that’s bad,” I say. “You should try having her do your hair.”
The taller guard shudders. “You have my sympathy.”
The shorter one elbows him in the ribs.
“Oh. Right. No time for idle chatter, my lady. We have to perform our duties.”
“Of course.” And they probably remember that I’m supposed to be the culprit. I sit in one of the chairs, waving them into the room.
They open random drawers and glance in the wardrobe, but don’t seem to notice the mess. They run their hands over the bedspread, then make a cursory inspection of the bathroom. At this rate, I could hide a few dozen bricks of gold from them.
“Now, my lady, some of these rooms have secret panels in the walls. Do you mind if we check for those?”
“Sure. Wait, there are really hidden panels?” I try to sound like I’m eager to find out. I realize now why Marc hid the necklace there. No doubt he thought the panels would be a surprise to me. He didn’t count on Damon, and a deep red rose. I smile at the vase that saved me.
The guards knock on the wall, listening for a hollow spot. I’m not surprised that they zero in on where the necklace had been. The smaller guard yanks the door open, like he’s preparing for a big reveal. I lean in to look over their shoulders. Inside is … nothing.
“How many of those secret door things are in the palace?” I ask.
The guards look at each other, and shrug. I know it’s not in regard to the number of secret doors.
“Thank you for your cooperation, my lady,” the taller guard says. “We need to be moving along now.”
I hold the blue door open for them. “Good luck!” I call as they move away. Once it feels safe, I close the door as slowly and as hard as I can. Locking the knob, I take my palm off the door. It’s ingrained with the pattern of the wood. I slide to the floor, sitting until I stop shaking. That was so incredibly close. If I hadn’t found the necklace in time, or if Eris weren’t as convincing…