Chapter Five

"Speaking of him," Elle said before Queme could answer, "I saw him earlier, heading to the King's quarters with his right-hand man."

"Maybe he had an audience with the King."

"Probably," Elle said. Then, studying her friend, Queme asked, "Why do you hate your blood brother so much, anyway?"

"I don't know. I just do," Elle said.

"Despite his good manners, his respect for his elders, the way he never breaks a single rule?" Queme asked, searching Elle's face.

"Yes. Of course."

"Elle, queen of observation." Queme shook her head, smiling.

Elle rolled her eyes. "Stop teasing me. Come on — let's go explore the palace grounds."

They rose, hand in hand, and left the room together.

At Adele's House

Adele was sweeping the front step when Anna came out, dressed but heavy-faced, her eyes still swollen from the tears she'd cried the night before over Blair.

"Good morning, Mummy," she said quietly.

"Morning, my angel." Adele managed a smile.

"I'm going to the big mango tree by the market square. Maybe a few other places too."

"To do what?" Adele frowned.

"Just to get some air. Clear my head."

Adele studied her for a moment, the sadness in her daughter's eyes plain to see. "All right. But eat something before you go."

"I'll be fine, Mummy."

"Don't come back late."

"I won't." Anna slipped past her and out into the morning.

Adele watched her go until she disappeared from view, then let out a soft sigh.

The new maid selection starts tomorrow. We'll leave in two days. Just hold on a little longer, Anna.

She lowered her head and went back to sweeping, though her mind had long since left the yard.

At the Backyard of the Palace Garden

Lady Kay stood with two assassins beneath the shade of the garden wall, laying out the plan.

"When you reach Adele's house, kill her — and anyone with her — whether or not you find the wooden box. Leave no trace."

"And our payment?" one of them asked.

Lady Kay drew a small pouch of coins from her sleeve and pressed it into his hand.

"Remember, Queen Camille hates loose ends. Make it clean."

"Understood." They bowed slightly and slipped away.

Lady Kay lingered a moment longer, alone. Regret settled over her — she had betrayed Adele once already, and now she was doing it again. Her eyes stung with tears she refused to let fall.

"Adele... I'm sorry," she whispered. Then she glanced around to be sure no one had seen, and left.

Not far off, Prince Pavan had been taking the morning air alone when a voice reached him. He followed it and found Lady Kay with the two masked assassins in black. He ducked behind a nearby tree and listened until they parted ways.

Once they were gone, he stepped out from his hiding place, turning the conversation over in his mind.

"Evidence," he murmured. "What evidence could this Adele have that makes Mother want her dead so badly?"

He stood there a moment longer, frowning at the question. Then he shook his head.

"Not my business," he said, and walked on.

At Adele's House

Adele knelt beside a small bag, packing what little she owned, readying herself for the escape that would come once the maid selection ended.

The door burst open.

Adele froze, her heart lurching into her throat.

"What do you want?!" she shouted.

One of the assassins seized her by the arm while the other tore through the room, overturning everything in search of the box.

"Where is it?" he demanded, his voice flat and cold.

"Which box? I don't have any box in this house," Adele stammered, fear shaking every word.

The second assassin grabbed a fistful of her hair and drove his blade into her stomach.

Adele screamed.

Blood spilled from her mouth as she pressed both hands to the wound, trying to hold herself together. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor.

The two assassins turned and left without a backward glance, leaving her there on the cold ground.

Later That Night

Anna came home to find the door hanging open.

Her heart lurched.

"Mummy?" No answer.

She rushed inside — and stopped cold at the sight of her mother's body, blood pooling beneath her on the floor.

"Mummy!" She dropped to her knees and gathered Adele into her arms. "Mother, please — open your eyes!"

Adele's eyes fluttered open, her breathing shallow and slow.

"Anna..."

"I'm here, Mother. Please don't leave me."

Adele fought to get the words out. "I... once worked in the palace. I was a maid — in Queen Camille's own quarters."

Anna stared at her, stunned. "The palace?"

Adele nodded weakly. "I ran the night I found out her second child wasn't the King's."

Anna's breath caught. "What are you saying?"

"The father was a palace guard — Camille's first love, long before the King. She made the whole kingdom believe the child was his."

Anna could hardly take it in. "Why didn't you tell me any of this before?"

"I was trying to protect you," Adele whispered. "If the Queen ever learns that you know, she'll come for you too."

Her gaze drifted toward the bed. "The wooden box. Under my bed."

Anna turned to look. "What about it?"

"It holds the proof. Everything that can bring down her secret."

"I'll protect it," Anna said at once.

Adele's grip tightened around her daughter's hand. "Promise me. Whatever happens — you protect that box."

"I promise." Tears slid freely down Anna's face now.

"There's a tattoo," Adele breathed, "at the back of your neck. Half of a heart, drawn in black."

"I have a tattoo?" Anna's hand flew to her neck.

Adele nodded faintly. "It will tell you whose daughter you are."

"Mom, I don't understand any of this — but let me get you to the clinic. Let me help you up." Anna tried to lift her.

"It's too late," Adele said, tears finally spilling over.

"No. No, Mummy." Anna's voice cracked.

Adele gave her one last, faint smile. Then her eyes drifted closed.

"Mummy? Mummy!"

But she was already gone.

Anna wept over her mother's body, understanding at last why Adele had always refused to let her set foot near the palace.

But grief alone wasn't enough. Sitting there in the dark with her mother's blood on her hands, Anna made a decision.

She would go to the palace.

She would find the truth.

And she would make every person responsible for her mother's death pay for it.

"I won't let you die for nothing, Mummy," she whispered through her tears.