A group of four young men sauntered by on a narrow pathway leading to the side of the palace. Reid followed at a safe distance. The path led to a door, which had a single sentry standing guard. The men entered without showing any identification papers.
Would it be possible for her to pretend to be a palace worker and gain entry that way? Maybe if she tagged along with a group of workers, no one would notice her. She went over to a tree and sat. Leaning against its trunk, she observed the door. Over the course of the next hour, a handful of people dressed in civilian clothing came and went. None wore a uniform or showed papers.
The sun started to set. Reid needed to return to the inn before Harlan sent out a search party for her. Rising, she brushed off her pants and headed around to the rear of the palace, curious to see what was on that side. The palace itself was located in the middle of the bustling city. The front opened to flat greenery where the festival was held. The back faced a small lake and a meticulously manicured garden. The only word she could use to describe the area was perfection. How could someone so evil live in such a beautiful place?
Upset by the sheer elegance and peacefulness of her surroundings, Reid left, making her way back to the inn. She went straight to Harlan’s room, ready to apologize for being gone all day. When she opened the door, she found him asleep.
“Harlan,” Reid said, startling him awake.
“Are you okay?” he asked, rubbing his eyes.
“How are you still sleeping?” She’d been gone for hours.
“I took a tonic last night. I may have made it a little too strong.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing in Axian makes sense. Everything in this city is backward.” She stomped out of his room and into hers, then flopped onto her bed, refusing to think about the enticing things she’d learned and enjoyed in the city today. Instead, she focused on the tasks before her—get into the palace, steal the box, and gain the favor of King Eldon so her father would receive his pardon and keep his land.
After supper, Reid and Harlan set off for the palace.
“For the record,” Harlan said, “I think this is a bad idea.”
“I heard you the first twenty times.” She wished he’d stop complaining and just go along with the plan.
“I’d rather stay with you once we get inside.”
Hesitating, she faced her friend. “If you don’t want to go through with it, go back to the inn.” She didn’t have the time or energy to argue with him.
“I don’t want to be caught and thrown in the dungeon.”
“If you play the part right, you’ll just be kicked out of the palace.” Not put in the dungeon. With the festival going on, the plan was for Harlan to pretend he’d had too much to drink and accidentally wandered into the palace. He would create a commotion to garner the guards’ attention. Reid would use the opportunity to search for the box.
She’d thought long and hard about where the box might be located. Since it looked like a book, chances were it would be in an office or a library. Less likely, but also just as feasible, was the possibility it could be in the prince’s bedchamber. She shivered, hoping she didn’t have to sneak into Henrick’s room.
“If you leave me rotting in the dungeon, I’ll never forgive you.” Harlan playfully nudged Reid with his shoulder.
She laughed. “I won’t. I promise.”
Harlan whistled, nodding at the water fountain in the middle of the intersection. “Do you think all the rich people in Axian live here? I mean, this place is awfully nice.”
There was a streetlamp on every corner—a luxury not even the City of Buckley was privy to. Reid had yet to see any signs of poverty, which made no sense. How could everyone here have enough to live comfortably? Axian was a county just like Ellington. Only, instead of a duke, a prince presided over everything. She had no idea what became of Duke Axian. Was he still alive? Did he live here? If she thought of Henrick as a duke instead of a prince, some of the things she saw made more sense. For example, the lack of a wall and the lax security. “The city certainly seems to be thriving.”
“I don’t know, Reid. I have a feeling those princes fed you a bunch of lies. We’ve seen nothing that indicates Axian has any plans to invade northern Marsden.”
Which presented Reid with a moral dilemma since she was there on behalf of the king. But even if Eldon was wrong and Henrick didn’t plan to attack, Henrick had still deceived Leigh. And, most importantly, Henrick was Eldon’s father. However, none of that mattered right now. The most important thing she had to do was obtain the box of evidence.
When the two friends reached the park, the festival was still in full swing. Hundreds of people were in attendance despite the late hour. Throughout the area, blazing torches provided light.
“Let’s get a drink.” Reid wanted Harlan’s breath to reek of ale. She also wanted to splash some on his clothing to make his act more believable, but she hadn’t told him that.
Once they located the row of vendors selling ale, Reid and Harlan went to a cart that didn’t have many waiting customers. After purchasing two drinks, they took their cups and headed to the east side of the palace, away from the festival. Since there weren’t any activities over here, the area was cast in darkness, allowing them to hide in the shadow of a tall oak tree.
Harlan finished his drink.
Reid apologized.
“What for?” he asked.
Pursing her lips, she dumped her cup of ale on his head.
He pushed his soaked hair out of wide, disbelieving eyes. Standing there, he resembled a drowned puppy dog. “The things I put up with for you,” he muttered.
“And just so you know, I appreciate everything you do. You’re the best friend I have.”
“You’re my best friend, too, even though you did just assault me.” Droplets of ale dripped from his chin onto his boots.
They couldn’t wait too much longer to implement the plan. At midnight, all the vendors closed and the activities stopped. Reid guessed they had an hour or two left. “Are you ready?” she asked, hiding their cups behind a tree.
He shook his head, spraying her with ale from his hair. Turning away, she cursed. Harlan chuckled. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
“The door we’re going to use is halfway down the side of the palace over there.”
“You mean where someone is standing guard?”
“Yes. I watched others come and go. If we act like we know what we’re doing, we should be fine.”
“Reid…” Harlan groaned. “You can’t be serious.”
“Trust me.” She was going in with or without him. “There are hardly any guards. Security is lax. I scouted the place all day.”
“And what do you know about scouting?”
“Nothing.” But she had two eyes and wasn’t stupid. Besides, she’d spent some time in the king’s castle and had a vague idea of what to expect inside the palace.
“Fine,” he said. “But you owe me.”
“I know. And I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”
They headed along the pathway that led to the side door. Reid made sure she walked with confidence, as if she did this all the time. “There’s an archery competition over on the west lawn,” she said, wanting to strike up a conversation so they wouldn’t seem suspicious. “I’m thinking of entering it tomorrow.”
“Have you ever used a bow before?” Harlan asked.
“A couple of times.” Her father had taken her hunting on several occasions. Reid’s sisters had been insanely jealous she was able to partake in such activities while they couldn’t. “I’m guessing you don’t hunt.” It was something Harlan wouldn’t enjoy.
“No, I don’t. And I don’t ever plan to.”
Without looking at the guard, Reid pushed the door open and stepped into the palace. She forced herself to keep going until she heard the door close behind her. Leaning against the wall, she took a deep cleansing breath.
Harlan wiped the sweat f
rom his brow, his hand shaking. “We need to keep moving,” he whispered.
Pushing off the wall, Reid headed down the long, empty hallway. Only a couple of lit torches illuminated the way. At the first door, she peered inside and saw circular bins filled with water. There was no one in sight.
“Laundry room,” Harlan mumbled.
Farther down, there was another hallway to the left. Listening, Reid heard people talking and pots banging. “Kitchen?”
Harlan nodded. “Probably feeding the servants at this late hour.”
Reid went straight past it.
“What are you looking for?” he asked.
“I need to get out of the servants’ passageways.” She should have headed toward the kitchen. There were probably several exits into the main palace from there. However, she wanted to avoid running into as many people as possible. At the next intersection, Reid went right, Harlan following. “I hear people,” she mumbled.
Harlan grabbed her hand, tugging her back the way they’d come. Safely around the corner, Reid peered into the hallway to see who was there. A group of four women, all dressed in brown pants and white shirts, approached.
“Are you working in the library tonight?” one asked.
“I am. I’m in charge of dusting the books on the east wall.”
They exited through a door on the left. Reid listened until she could no longer hear what they said. She hurried around the corner, heading to the door the women had just gone through. When she reached it, she put her ear against the wood, listening. Not hearing anything, she pushed the door open an inch and peered around to the other side. It was some sort of corridor with soaring ceilings and marble floors. She didn’t see anyone. “Let’s go.” She exited the servants’ passageways with Harlan right behind her.
Several paintings hung on the walls. Going over to one, Reid studied the portrait of a man wearing a crown. In the corner, the artist had signed and dated the portrait—over a hundred years ago.
Harlan whistled. “Is the king’s castle as posh as this?” He spun in a slow circle, taking in the grandeur.
Reid shook her head. She’d never seen wealth like this before—and they were only in a corridor. Was King Eldon aware of how much Henrick had accumulated? If Henrick’s palace was this grand, what about the state of his army? A chill slid down her spine with the realization that this amount of money could provide not only well-trained soldiers but also advanced weaponry.
“Reid,” Harlan said. “Let’s go.”
Shaking her head, she forced herself to focus. Back home, her father’s office was located on the first floor in the hallway near the front door. It afforded Duke Ellington the opportunity to receive guests there without having to traipse through the entire castle. If that reasoning applied here, they needed to find the main entrance.
She went to the end of the corridor. Hallways extended to either side. “Which way to the front door?” she whispered.
“Based on the window placement and where we entered, I believe the front door is to the left.” The two friends headed that way.
“Your boots are squishing,” Reid pointed out.
“Maybe if you hadn’t doused me with ale, they wouldn’t be making so much noise.”
“I poured it on your head, not your feet.”
“Can I help you?” a young woman asked as she ducked out of a room. In a simple gray dress, she appeared to be about fifteen. Did the servants not have to wear uniforms?
Reid froze, not sure what to do.
“I’m looking for the…what did he call it?” Harlan said, nudging Reid. “The library? Or was it the study?”
“I thought he said his office,” Reid murmured.
The young woman smiled. “The library is down that hall.” She pointed to the right. “And the prince’s office is this way, another fifty feet or so. Although, it’s so late I’m not sure you’ll find him at either location.”
“Thank you for your help,” Reid said. “But we’re not looking to speak with the prince. I have a letter I was told to deliver to his office.”
“You’re almost there then.” The young woman’s eyebrows drew together. “Are you okay?” she asked Harlan.
“I had a bit of an incident at the festival.” He grinned, reeking of ale.
“I just finished my shift, so I’m heading out there now.”
“Thank you for your help,” Reid said again, hoping the woman would take the hint and leave.
“Any time.” She continued down the hallway.
When she was out of sight, Harlan whispered, “I’m shocked she bought our lies so easily.”
“I told you, Axian is backward. Things are very relaxed here.” The opposite of what Reid had expected.
“It seems to be working in our favor.”
Reid agreed as they headed toward the prince’s office. After she’d gone fifty feet, she hesitated at a room with an open door on her left. When she peeked inside, she spotted a desk and figured she was in the right place. “Wait out here,” she whispered to Harlan. “If someone comes, trip and make some noise so I know.”
“You got it.” He leaned against the wall about ten feet from the office.
Reid crept inside. Moonlight shone in through the windows, providing just enough light to see the desk and the two high-backed chairs in front of it. Bookshelves lined three of the walls. Reid approached them, scanning the shelves for the box. Not having time to inspect every single book, she searched for any that didn’t match or fit in with the others. Most of the books were of similar shape, and nothing stood out to her. Rubbing her temple, she tried to think logically. The items stored inside the box were important. It didn’t seem likely the prince would keep it where anyone could have access to it.
Discouraged, she slipped out of the room.
“No luck?”
She shook her head. “I need to search the prince’s bedchamber.” It seemed like the most secure place to hide something so valuable.
Harlan’s shoulders sagged. “I don’t care how slack security is, you can’t do something so reckless.”
“The sooner I find what I’m searching for, the sooner we can get out of here.” She jogged to the servants’ passageways.
“Let’s return to the inn and come up with another plan,” Harlan said, trying to keep up with her.
“Gordon is sitting at the border with an army. We’ve already been gone well over a week. How long until there’s some sort of attack?” As to whether it came from Eldon or Henrick, Reid couldn’t be sure.
“Are you trying to tell me that whatever you’re looking for can stop a war?”
“Maybe.” It would depend on which prince had the box and what he did with the items it held. Reid could see it going either way. Henrick could reveal the contents to make a bid for the throne. Eldon would destroy everything inside it in his effort to cling to the throne.
Once they were back in the servants’ passageways, she located a narrow stairwell. Sprinting to the fourth floor, Reid tried to get her bearings. If she were a member of the royal family, she’d want her room to be on this level so she’d have a view. Most likely, it would overlook the small lake on the back side of the property. Which meant she needed to go toward the center to find the rooms that faced south.
When Reid reached the wing where the bedchambers were probably located, she immediately started a search for a linen closet. When she found one, she knew she was in the right area. Stepping inside, she waved Harlan in after her.
“Now what?” he said with a groan.
“I need to find someone who can tell me which room belongs to the prince.”
He snorted. “And I suppose you’re just going to ask someone?”
Reaching up, she grabbed several towels off the shelf. “That is precisely what I’m going to do.”
He shook his head. “You can’t just stroll into the prince’s bedchamber. What if he’s in there?”
“That is why you’re here,” she reminded him. “I need you to c
reate a distraction. Do whatever you have to do so security gets the prince and brings him to you. Then, when everyone is focused on you, I’ll sneak into his bedchamber.”
“This plan has a million things that could go wrong.” He folded his arms.
“I know.”
“It probably won’t work.”
“I know.”
“We both could be thrown in the dungeon.”
“I know.”
“Why do you keep saying I know?”
“Because I’m aware of the risks.”
“Then why are you going through with it?”
“Right now, I don’t have any other options. I’m going to try this out, and we’ll see what happens. It just might work.” She shifted the towels to her left arm. “I’ve lived my entire life pretending to be a man. I’ve learned people believe what they see. If I go out there and pretend to be a servant, I’ll get away with it because no one will suspect otherwise. Same with you and your charade. Give them what they expect, and they’ll believe the lie. Trust me.”
“Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”
Footsteps came from outside the closet. Reid held up her hand, indicating to Harlan he should remain there. She ducked out of the closet, purposefully dropping the towels. When she crouched to pick them up, someone stopped next to her.
“Need some help?” a woman asked. She knelt and picked up a towel, refolding it and handing it to Reid. The woman looked to be in her early thirties and wore brown pants and a gray tunic.
“I’m such a klutz,” Reid said, hoping this didn’t backfire. Standing, she clutched the towels in her arms. “I was told to grab some linens, but I’ve got turned around. Can you please tell me which way to the prince’s bedchamber?”
“Which prince?” Suspicion creeping onto her face, the woman put her hands on her hips.
“Prince Henrick.”
“You don’t look like a chambermaid,” she said, eyeing Reid’s clothing.
This was the first time someone had challenged her story. “That’s because I’m not,” Reid said. “I just started here two days ago. I thought I was done for the night, but a friend of mine needed some help.” She lifted the towels, showing proof of her helpfulness.
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