will be plaguing me. “Mother above,” she breathes, closing her eyes as she takes a moment to adjust to this news. When she opens her eyes, she hurries to my side and pulls me into a tight hug. This is how a hug should feel—comforting, safe.
“I heard another rumour. That a kind lady in a deep blue dress helped a servant when the glasses on his tray were smashed.” She’s still pressed against me, so her voice is muffled, but I know what she’s getting at. Wincing, I loosen my arms and face her.
“Ah, you heard?”
If this rumour is going around the castle, it won’t be long until everyone knows what I did, and when I’m trying to blend in, that is not good. Come on, Clarissa, start thinking before you act, otherwise it will be you eating the poisoned chocolate next, I chide myself, blowing out a frustrated breath.
“Don’t panic, they don’t know who you are, I worked out it was you from the description. Besides, I don’t know of many ladies who would stop to help a servant.” Her words do comfort me some, but if she worked it out, others could too. I’m one of the only ladies I’ve seen walking around in the magician’s deep blue, so while Grayson did me a favour by claiming me, it’s also made assimilating so much harder.
My whole body is aching from the long day of labour down in the underground forge, and then the evening event, but I feel far more emotionally exhausted. I hadn’t realised that was a thing until Grayson gave me this new life and introduced me to so many new emotions and feelings. Walking over to the bed, I sit on the edge and remove my shoes, rubbing at my swollen ankles. Although the flat shoes are far more comfortable than those heels Jayne tried to get me to wear, they still rub at my feet since I’m so used to walking barefoot. Jayne is watching me, clutching a cloak in her hands, and I give her a questioning look.
“Why are you here anyway?” It might sound rude, but thankfully she doesn’t take it that way, stepping forward with a determined look.
“I had to check you were okay, and I wanted to let you know a couple of the servants with young children are going to try and escape tonight, I told them what you told me.” My eyes go round. I had forgotten that was tonight. Another thought hits me and I round on her. “Don’t worry, I was careful!” she insists, as if reading my mind. I hadn’t wanted to tell Jayne in case she got caught up in all this. I would never forgive myself if she was hurt because of me, but I also had to offer her a way out if she ever wanted or needed it. Besides, if I die, someone else will need to help people escape.
Another thought comes to me and I jump up from the bed, slipping the blasted shoes onto my feet and turning to address the maid.
“I need to go and ensure they get there safely.”
“I thought you might say that,” she says with a smile, handing me the cloak in her hands. It’s dark, plain, and long enough to cover my dress. I dart forward, drawing her into a quick hug. Surprised, she laughs and squeezes me back as I pull away and put on the cape.
“Thank you.” Beaming at her, I turn to the mirror and see the cloak has fully covered my dress, and when I pull up the hood, my face is fully hidden. As soon as I walked back into my room, the magic on my hair dissolved, leaving me with my natural inky locks that blend into the shadows the hood creates.
“Be careful,” Jayne cautions, as she fusses with the cloak, brushing down the fabric and making sure it fully covers me. “I’ll wait for you to return, otherwise I’ll never be able to sleep tonight.”
Nodding, I reach out and squeeze her arm once before hurrying out of the room. It’s nearly time, and I need to make sure they get away safely.
Admit it, you want to see Tor again too. The thought comes out of nowhere, and I shake my head as I enter the dark, empty corridor. It’s late, and now that the event in the great hall is over, most people have returned to their rooms here or their homes back in the city. I