My lips trembled as I tried to hold back the tears from the pain. Cupping my hand to my chest, I snapped, “I was only going to raise my veil enough to take a sip and prove to you that I wouldn’t poison you, but I fear it wouldn’t matter, Prince, because your heart is already poisoned.”
Leaving the cup in the sand, I spun and headed back the way I’d come, passing my fire and kettle on the hill and entering the carriage. In the darkness, I let the pain overtake me and the tears fall as Pru doused the fire and cleaned up our lunch.
Chapter Thirteen
An hour later, we were on the road again, then stopped before sunset to prepare camp for the night. We found a trunk on a wagon with all of our supplies for setting up our tent, and thankfully, with a little help from my magic, I was able to get it up without help from the men.
Lanterns were out and hung on shepherd’s crooks outside each tent, casting a warm glow on the ground. Not one used to sitting idly by, I tried to make myself useful. Picking up a sack of potatoes, I carried them over to the kitchen area near a boiling pot and set them by a crate that was being used to prepare food. Finding an unattended knife, I began to easily peel the potatoes next to another woman.
“N-No. You don’t touch the food,” Boz, the head cook, said, taking the knife from my hands. His eyes scanned my dark veil, and I could easily read his suspicion. An older servant came and whispered in his ear, and he blanched. “We’re fine. We don’t need you. Go!”
“But I can help. I don’t mind,” I said, but was promptly ignored. Even the servants wouldn’t let me help set up the bedrolls or fetch water from the stream. I was a pariah.
Our tent was set up away from the others, and I asked Pru to come inside with me.
“What do you need, miss?”
“Switch clothes with me,” I demanded, looking at her new dress. It still gave her more freedom than my own.
“What?”
“You heard me. I’m tired of being useless. If we switch clothes and you sit out in the open where people can see you, then no one will suspect me if I wander. I haven’t the energy or talent for long glamour.”
“I don’t know. What if I get caught?”
“Everyone is terrified of me and won’t speak to me. Who will know the difference when you’re fully covered? You do want a break, don’t you?”
“But, miss, you’re much taller than me.”
“I don’t think anyone will notice.” I waved my hands at her, dismissing the claim before removing my veil. “Come, help me with my buttons.”
Half a mark later, Pru was wearing my black dress and veil, and I was in her attendant dress. Back in sensible fabric instead of layers of fabric and lace, I felt at rights with the world. My raven hair was already braided and wrapped around the base of my neck in a serviceable bun, and only a few strands had come loose when I took off my veil. I did have a bandage around my palm and wrist still, but I didn’t think anyone would notice.
The one disadvantage was her skirt showed my ankles, but again, I was counting on no one paying attention to a servant.
This time when I approached the cook, he saw me and immediately demanded that I peel the sack of potatoes I had brought over earlier. Keeping my smile hidden, I picked up the knife and deftly cut the skin off in little spirals. When done, I began cutting them into cubes, then moved on to the carrots and added them to the boiling pot.
“You work fast,” Boz said. “Faster than most. Here, take the tray and attend the prince.” He handed me a silver tray with a pitcher of ale, a goblet, and bread on it, and nodded to Xander’s tent.
“I-I don’t think—” I stammered, unable to find an excuse quick enough. I just wanted to feel useful and have moments of not wearing my veil. I had no intention of walking up to the prince and getting caught or scolded after only a few minutes of freedom.
“You don’t think. You’re an attendant. It’s not your job. Go!” he demanded, pointing to the tent.
My cheeks warmed as I carried the tray to the red-and-blue tent