for leaving and remembered only just in time that Lady Piperell would never do such a thing. She wouldn’t really even notice that he was there, except perhaps to shiver in fear as she passed through his shadow.
So she lifted her chin, wrapped her shawl a little more tightly around her shoulders, and walked away, feeling the whole time as if there were a target painted between her shoulders. Any moment now, the Raven could realize that she wasn’t who she appeared to be. At any moment, he could enter her suite looking for her and find her gone.
But she kept walking, somehow not looking over her shoulder, somehow continuing to put one foot in front of the other until she passed out of that hall and into another. Once out of sight, she took an enormous gulp of air and leaned against the wall until her heartbeat returned to nearly normal. But only for a moment. For all she knew, he would be able to hear that she’d stopped and come looking for a reason.
Leisa pushed away from the wall and continued on her way, muttering a prayer to the patron saint of fools, if there was one. If not, she would be a shoo-in for the job after she was dead.
It was a decided relief when no one gave her so much as a second glance as she made her way through the halls of the palace, out into the courtyard, and across it to the barracks on the other side. She paused once or twice, pretending there was something in her shoe in order to check behind her for any sign that the Raven had followed after all, but saw nothing. Which proved nothing, but enabled her to continue on.
Once she knew she was in the right place, Leisa stopped a Garimoran page and asked for directions, claiming to have a message from the Farhall princess for her guards. Well, not just claiming, since it was actually the truth.
The page was very obliging and trotted ahead of her all the way into the barracks. They passed through the dining hall, up a set of stairs, and into a common room where an argument seemed to be taking place.
And no wonder. Kip, it seemed, had already returned, and was in the midst of being verbally flayed by Zander for his indiscretion in sneaking around the palace.
If only Zander knew what he’d actually done. Leisa doubted poor Kip would survive the aftermath.
She dismissed the page and cleared her throat gently.
“I beg your pardon,” she said, in what she hoped sounded like Lady Piperell’s quiet, well-modulated tones, “but I have a message from Her Highness.”
Zander jerked around to face her, and Leisa instantly felt remorse as she took in his expression. He was worried. Afraid. Exhausted. And about to go mad with his inability to do anything to help or protect his princess.
Despite her external protestations, it had been an easy matter for Leisa to accept Garimore’s restrictions on her guard—unlike Evaraine, she had never relied on them to protect her. Protecting herself, seeing to her own safety, was far more natural than worrying about whether her bodyguard remained close.
But Zander had no idea that she wasn’t his fragile, easily exhausted princess. He no doubt imagined her isolated and terrified, and himself helpless to do anything to change it. She should have thought to offer him some reassurance in the note, but she’d been too preoccupied.
“Thank you, my lady,” Zander said, moving forward and bowing less deeply than he would have to Evaraine. He accepted the note as his eyes searched her face. “Can you tell me whether she is well? Is she eating? Resting? Content with her situation?”
Leisa suspected he wanted to ask far more pointed questions but knew better than to imagine Lady Piperell could answer. A lady in her position had no more power than he did. And, from the softening in his expression, Lesia suspected he rather liked her.
“She is well,” Leisa said carefully. “If perhaps feeling worn out by the events of the day. Her Highness remained in her room this evening and sent her regrets for the planned family dinner and masqued ball.”
Zander seemed relieved to hear it. “I look forward to seeing her in the morning then, and will pray that we find her well-rested.”
Leisa nodded and gestured to the note in his hand. “Her Highness indicated that she would expect a response. If it is not too much trouble, I am happy