Semua Bab REBORN AS THE ALPHA KING'S FATED MATE : Bab 21 - Bab 29

“Lord Crowe,” said Lyra, and smiled as if he had handed her a present. “What a happy accident. We were just looking for you.”“Were you?”“Wren wants to see the tax rolls for a report. Mara got hungry. I followed the crumbs.”“Crumbs,” said Mara faintly, and swallowed her last bite of pastry.Crowe stepped aside. The room behind him held a long table, a cedar chest, and Hadley Pike, who had gone the color of milk. He clutched his leather satchel to his chest like a baby.“Pike was just leaving,” said Crowe.“I was just leaving,” Pike agreed. He slid out sideways without meeting anyone’s eyes.He is checking your pulse, said Ember.My pulse is fine.Your pulse is a war drum.Crowe closed the door. The click sounded very loud. “That oak is a foot thick, Lady Lyra. Yet you looked as if you had your ear against it.”“I heard Pike say ‘as always,’” said Lyra. “It told me he is very boring.”

“Absolutely not,” said Lyra. “I have a library to raid.” “Hester packed lemon cakes.” Kael held up a picnic basket like a flag of truce. “It is two days since the dungeon. Torin is chasing Brandt south. Vale is being watched by three of my men. For one afternoon, nobody can do anything.” “You are bribing me.” “Is it working?” “A little.” He grinned. Her heart did something stupid. They rode out at noon. Lyra had never been on a horse. Kael put her on a gentle gray mare named Pearl and rode close beside her with one hand near her reins. “She is the calmest horse in the kingdom.” “Calm horses still throw people.” “Not this one. She likes you.” Pearl swiveled one ear back as if listening. Lyra giggled. Even horses like us, said Ember smugly. “Sit straighter,” said Kael. “Heels down. Hold the reins like a bird you do not want to crush.” “I have negotiated with bankers who were less bossy.” “Did they win?” “Never.” “Then I will try to learn from them.” His m

“Did you believe the letter?” It was the first thing Lyra said when the hooded figure pushed back his cowl. “Never,” said Kael. His face was gray with exhaustion, his eyes red. “Not for one heartbeat.” The breath went out of her. She had been sitting on the narrow cot for sixteen hours, in a stone cell with one high window and a bucket, listening to her own heart. The iron cuffs were gone, but her wrists still stung and Ember was a faint, tired flicker at the back of her mind. All day she had tried to think. The letter was forged: that much was easy. Someone had copied a rogue’s scrawl. Someone had owned the wax, the paper, the key to her room. Someone had known exactly when Kael would be out of the castle. Crowe, Ember had said. Vivienne. And Vale. Lyra had stared at the stone wall. I cannot make him fit. Not yet. And under all of it, a small, scared voice had whispered what she would never say out loud: What if the King has to choose the law over you? He would not, E

“Hurry,” whispered Wren. “Tilda’s shift ends at midnight.” Mara hurried. She also wanted to be sick. Apparently both things could happen at once. The servants’ corridor was narrow and dark, with one lamp every twenty paces. Mara wore a borrowed apron. Wren wore a plain gray dress and a scarf over her hair, and somehow still looked like a princess pretending not to be one. “Are we sure about this?” said Mara. “No.” “Good. I like honesty in a crime.” “It is not a crime if the King’s sister does it.” “Is that a law?” “It is a theory.” They found Tilda in the laundry room, folding sheets by one weak candle. She was about seventeen, thin as a broom, with red-rimmed eyes. When she saw the princess, she dropped the whole pile. “Your Highness! I did not know…” “Hello, Tilda,” said Wren kindly. “May we talk?” Tilda’s face went white. She snatched up the sheets and tried to push past. Mara stepped in front of the door. “You are scared,” said Mara. “I can see your hands

“I call my first witness,” said Lord Crowe. “Tomas Hollis.” The great hall held its breath. Hundreds of people packed the benches. Nobles sat in front, servants stood in the back, and guards lined every wall. Lyra stood alone in the dock. Her hands were free. Kael had insisted on that. But she still wore the gray gown from her cell, and she had not slept. Breathe, said Ember. I am breathing. Slower. On the black throne, Kael looked like carved stone. He did not glance at her. But through the bond, a steady warmth rolled over her like a hand on her back. At the rear wall, Mara lifted a grubby handkerchief and wiggled it. Wren stood beside her. Between them stood a small, shaking girl in a laundry apron. Lyra nearly laughed. They did it. They did something, said Ember. Let us see what. The thin guard walked to the stand. The gold serpent ring flashed on his finger. Crowe smiled at him like a man looking at a well-trained dog. “State your name.” “Tomas Hollis.” “You were ass