Corrupt

Chapter 18

We throw ourselves into our work over the next few days, as though it can distract us from everything else on our minds. 

Stretching out my fingers, I smile as I see the King and his guards pass by in the corridor, even as my stomach clenches. He catches my eye and turns sharply to enter the library I've been working in. Drea, alerted by his footsteps, stiffens beside me, breath catching.

"Act normal," I hiss under my breath. She can't give the game away. Replacing my veneer of innocence, I walk to meet him as he sweeps his surveying gaze across the room. 

"Your Highness," I say cheerfully, bobbing a quick curtsy. He seems to have relaxed around me again, suspicions settled. Good. 

"Lynette," he nods. "How have you been? Looks like you haven't lost your diligence at all." 

"Quite the opposite, Your Highness. Since returning, I just... Well, I feel like my love of Carcaseau is stronger than ever. I owe my life to this castle. It only seems right to give back somehow."

It almost scares me how easily the lies fall out of my mouth nowadays, smooth as silk. 

"You've more than given back to Carcaseau," Nikolas replies with a warm smile. I can almost feel a girl's jealousy as she passes behind us. "I daresay you're one of our most valuable citizens."

"That's very kind of you, Your Majesty." Flustered, I look away. Whilst it would have been a dream a week ago, his affection is quickly becoming a hazard, a poisonous snake coiled between my fingers. "Well, I... Is there anything else I could do for you? We've polished the cutlery, collected the laundry, checked in with the gardeners, and the books are almost all sorted now..." 

"And it's hardly lunchtime yet!"

I laugh in return, turning back to my stack of books so he can't see the frown flutter across my face. Drea's gaze flicks to mine briefly, and I see my own bewilderment reflected in her onyx eyes, the slight strain of her neutral expression, the tenseness of her movements. Terrified the King might notice her abnormality, I jerk my wrist, tossing a book onto the floor. I know what he'll do. He has to be perfect. 

There's a slight satisfaction as he follows my prediction, stooping to retrieve the tome. 

"Oh, thank you, Your Highness. I can be a little clumsy." 

"Nonsense. Your Eskalis tapestry was immaculate." 

"Speaking of which, Your Majesty... If you don't mind me asking... What's the current news on the rebels?"

Immediately, a hush falls over the library, everyone pausing their soft conversations in order to hear the King's response. None of them see the twitch of the King's jaw, the flash of fury that dances across his face. 

He can't do anything to me here.

I suppress a smirk of satisfaction. I really am learning from Daeva.

"I am glad to report that the rebels have not struck anywhere since Eskalis. I have all my best on the search. The Lazifi are patrolling as we speak. I have no doubt they'll track the gang down before long, and we will deal with them accordingly." 

The Lazifi. The Watchers. 

Bones snap as their necks are twisted.

A knife is thrust into someone's chest.

Terror floods my veins.

I swallow to stop myself from retching at the memories that burst through my barriers.

"That's... Good to hear, Your Majesty." 

He says nothing in response but instead holds his hand out, passing me back my fallen book. Our fingers brush against each other as I take it, and a jolt of pain flashes crimson red across my vision. I feel myself flinch, breath hitching. 

I'm making myself too obvious.

"Well done, Lynette. Your hard work is... Very much appreciated." And with that, he's gone.

Carefully, I continue with my work, meticulously covering the blisters that are already appearing on my raw skin. 

What would Daeva say if they knew what had just happened?

Or, more likely... What would they do?

It's ridiculous, really, that in an abandoned building, full of knife-weilding murderers, I felt safer than I do now.

 "Lynny..." Drea whispers, coming to stand next to me. "I... I think I see it now."

"What do you mean?" I reply, tugging my sleeve over my hand. She knows almost everything, now, but the burns feel too personal to share. Only him and I know that for now. 

And Daeva.

"When you told me... I didn't know whether it could be true, I thought... But, now I see him again... You're right. I know it." 

"It's awful, isn't it?" I reply with a sad smile.

"Yeah. It's like... He's so perfect, but... It's all..." 

"Yeah," I say, simply, knowing exactly what she means.

It's all a lie.