Chapter 28

Clara

My life changed all at once. I went from being a servant to a mistress over the course of a single day.

I wanted to protest. I wanted to reject Prince Marcus. I wanted to tell Prince Gideon that it was all a ruse. His brother was scheming against him and he only claimed me as his mate to avoid revealing me as his spy.

But I did not dare. Prince Marcus held me tightly as Prince Gideon congratulated us one more time and left.

“Don’t look so smug,” Prince Marcus hissed in my ear. “Just because you’re getting what you want, a prince in your bed. I’m just moving one of my pawns.”

In my bed? Did Marcus think I would let him touch me? I might have to let him call me his mate and pretend to be happy about it in public, but I was not ever sleeping with him!

“I have to adjust my plans for you,” Prince Marcus continued. “But that’s fine. You’re such a devoted friend. And you have so much to learn, don’t you? You’ll join dear Nora for her etiquette lessons. You’ll be by her side all the time. I’m sure you’ll learn so many useful things.”

He still expected me to spy on Nora? Of course he did.

“You’ll behave, won’t you, my dear? I mean, look at all you have to lose now.”

I didn’t want to be a mistress, so what could I lose?

“A servant caught out informing on her master would just be banished, you know. But now? Now you’re a royal mistress. Now, what you’ve done is treason. We execute people for that.”

I felt myself go pale. I shook my head. I wasn’t a traitor! I was only doing what he demanded.

“Don’t worry. As long as you are useful, I won’t dispose of you like that,” Prince Marcus said. “And who knows? We are mates. Maybe I’ll really fall deeply in love with you.” He laughed. “Wouldn’t that be funny?”

I shook my head. I didn’t care if he became utterly besotted in the next hour. I was never, ever claiming him as my mate.

“You’re so stubborn,” Prince Marcus said, patting my head condescendingly. “It’s actually cute.”

“Anyway. Go ahead and tell your little friend your good news while I make arrangements.” Marcus paused and looked at me. “We’ll have to have you spend some time with the royal seamstresses. I can’t be seen with someone dressed like that.”

He waved his hands in the general direction of my simple linen skirt and blouse. I looked down at my clothing, and compared it to the rich silk brocade of Marcus’ shirt. I supposed we would make an odd pair.

“I’ll need to get you some jewelry, too. You have to look the part.” He grinned at me. “Don’t look so excited, now.”

I shrugged. Jewels and fancy clothes were nice, sure. Who didn’t like pretty things?

Marcus laughed and walked away. I tucked my slate into its carrying satchel and went to find Nora.

What was I going to tell her? Would she be happy for me? Of course she would. She was my friend. She helped me even after that whole mess with Prince Gideon and the drugged wine.

I found Nora reading in her room. For once it wasn’t an etiquette manual. I winced when I realized I was interrupting one of her few free moments.

“Oh, Clara, there you are!” Nora tossed the book aside and jumped to her feet.

I waved, and signed that we needed to talk.

“What’s going on? You look upset,” Nora said.

I told her everything. Well, I told her everything it was safe to tell her. I told her about seeing Marcus and realizing he was my mate. I told her that he’d just claimed me in front of Prince Gideon. I told her that I was going to be a royal mistress, like her.

I left out the part about being Prince Marcus’ spy.

Nora hugged me.

“That’s wonderful!” she said. “We’re practically sisters now! Isn’t that exciting?”

I grinned. I hadn’t thought about it that way. I didn’t want anything to do with Prince Marcus. But being Nora’s sister-in-law would be nice.

If I focused on the good parts, I could put up with Marcus. I would have to think of a way to deal with his plots.

I would not let him hurt Nora. I would not be his tool. I just needed a plan. I would do what he wanted for now. And I would learn what his plans were, and then I would find a way to stop them.

The butler found me some time later and announced that I should follow him to my new rooms.

“I did say you should strive for the attention of your superiors,” the butler mused as he led me down the hallway. “This isn’t what I meant, but then who can predict the whims of the moon? I hope you and Prince Marcus will be happy together.”

I ducked my head in a shy nod. The butler had been kind to me, if strict.

“Thank you for your advice,” I signed. “I will remember it well.”

“I know you will. Here we are,” the butler said.

He unlocked and opened a door, revealing rooms much like Nora’s, but decorated in a sumptuous red. I stared around in shock. All of this space was meant for me?

There was a sitting room with a couch and little tables for hosting guests. There was a bedroom with a massive, canopied bed. There was an entire separate closet for my clothing. And there was a private bathroom with a deep, wide tub.

“I hope you are comfortable here,” the butler said. “That cord, there, summons a maid. You’re familiar with the system, I’m sure.”

I shook my head. Nora had never used her bells to summon me.

“Oh. Well, do not hesitate to try it out,” the butler said.

I nodded and signed my thanks.

Marcus summoned me shortly before dinner. I went to his room, and hesitated at the door. Did I just walk in? I was his mistress, officially.

I finally tapped the door once. It opened at my touch.

“Oh there you are,” Marcus said. “Come in, don’t stand around like that. We have to train that shyness out of you someday. It’s darling but you will be eaten alive in Court.”

I stared at him. I was just his spy, his pawn. What did he care how well I handled Court?

“Anyway. You’re a royal mistress, so you need a personal attendant. I’ve found you one.”

Marcus pointed behind him, and I noticed for the first time that we weren’t alone. There was a maid standing there, one I knew very well.

Ella, the maid who had bullied me ever since my foster mother died, curtsied deeply.

I stared. He could not be serious. This was my personal attendant? Her? The maid who made my life miserable every chance she got?

“She doesn’t understand sign, unfortunately,” Marcus said. “I couldn’t find one who did.” He paused. “Okay, I couldn’t be bothered to try. But this one is mostly literate, I think. Aren’t you, girl?”

Ella blushed and nodded. “I can read, your highness.”

“Good enough. Right, Clara?”

Ella grinned at me behind Marcus’ back. I realized then that I would have to be very, very careful. I was sure she would be reporting on me just the same as I was expected to report on Nora.

Just how many spies did Marcus have?