The Glass Queen (The Forest of Good and Evil #2) - Gena Showalter Page 0,125

plowed his fingers through the strands—or Leonora had.

I balled my hands. What had she done with him? What had she told him?

He grinned, saying, “You changed your mind.” Then the grin fell. “Oh. Ashleigh.”

“What are you and Leonora planning? You’re eager for more power, and I get it. But why trust her over me, the one who knows her secrets?” Betray her, Milo. Please.

He slammed the door in my face.

Though I banged and banged and banged, he didn’t open up again.

The distinct click-clack of a spidorpion’s many legs snagged my attention, and I hissed in a breath. A noise sure to send terror storming through anyone. I ran for...the...secret... No! Archways and hallways. Where were the doors? The secret passage?

I skidded to a stop, fighting panic.

A spidorpion dropped from the ceiling and landed a few feet away from me. Fear choked me as I spun to flee—and found another spidorpion behind me.

They’d cornered me.

I was going to die as a nighttime snack.

But...

The second one moved around me, joining the first, who lifted one of his front legs and...pointed? He was telling me where to go? I...that couldn’t be right. Unless he wanted to usher me to his nest, where a million of his spidorpion children would feast on my remains for days to come.

Left with no other choice, I followed his preferred direction, walking...running...finally, I came to the door that led to the secret passage.

As soon as I entered my bedroom, I quietly shut the door and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath. The dragons slept on as my mind whirled. Come what may, I couldn’t leave Saxon in the dark any longer. I had to tell him the truth about Leonora. He needed to know the phantom was making secret plans with the warlock, so he could mount a defense.

Yes. I nodded. I would do it. I would tell him first thing this morning, before his romantic courtship with Dior. And distract him from his purpose?

I wouldn’t be doing either of us any good.

So. I’d tell him after the courtship...and find out what he expected from me in the process. What he wanted.

I paced for hours. By the time sunlight filtered through a crack in the window drapes, I was tired and fried but resolved.

I hadn’t changed my mind. I would tell him. I even had a plan. I would go to his tent before the courtship. I would apologize for leaving him a note last night and not facing him then. I would wait for him to return from the courtship. I would tell him the truth. That was the order, the only parts I could control. What happened afterward was up to Saxon.

If he agreed, we could work together to try to end Leonora. And figure out a plan if we failed.

As the dragons slept on, I bathed, brushed my teeth and hair, then dressed in a clean mourning gown. I entered the secret passage once more, taking the same staircase, but stopping in front of each room to peer through little holes, wondering where to exit. Servants were beginning the day’s chores. Diamond vases were being dusted. Velvet curtains were beaten with sticks, removing dust and debris. Candles were lit.

Turned out I didn’t have to exit through a room. The passage took me right outside. The sun framed the back of the palace, creating a halo effect, casting shades of pink and purple over the cobblestone path that led to the royal stable. A picturesque building with dark wood and copper framing.

I gathered a bridle and headed for a stall, only to smack into Eve.

The beautiful avian gave me a toothy grin. “Your stamina has vastly improved, but your observational skills require more work.”

I picked up the bridle I’d dropped upon collision. “Did Saxon send you to follow me?”

“Where are you headed?” she asked, ignoring my question.

I’d take that as a yes. “Saxon’s tent.” Would I find him angry with me? Hurt? Understanding? Which did I prefer? “Will you transport me?” It would save time.

“Happy to.” She leaned a shoulder against a wooden beam, a calculating gleam in her silver eyes. “For a price.”

“What do you want?” I asked, and sighed.

“The sword and dagger you gave to Saxon. I want my own.”

I pursed my lips. While I loved that my reputation for quality weaponry was already spreading, I didn’t want to set a precedent and charge too little for my creations. Yes, I wanted to get to Saxon as quickly as possible, but I