“I have a dire problem and need your help.”
“With what?” I asked.
Grace shook her head and bit her bottom lip. “I can’t speak of it.”
I frowned and looked at Grace with frustration. Her head dropped. “I’m sorry. I know it’s frustrating, but I’m truly unable to tell anyone . . .” When she raised her eyes, they were glassy with unshed tears.
“You’re under a spell that makes you unable to reveal secrets,” I said, understanding her excitement at learning my immunity.
She nodded, the tears falling freely now as she used allegory to vaguely explain her situation. “I’m a pawn in a deadly game; where kings are players and pawns always get sacrificed.” Her breathing hitched, and I could see the panic rise within her at her hopelessness.
“What happened to Lord Rasmen?”
“A most unfortunate accident,” Grace said, her eyes wide with fear, and she began to babble in a sing-song voice. “Drink the tea and dance until dawn. If you lack the strength, you become a pawn. Sacrificed for the old king's sake, kill the queen and a new world make.”
Nothing of what Grace was saying was making much sense, but I could feel her terror. Even now, she kept looking over her shoulder as if waiting for someone to come out of the shadows and pull her away.
There were a hundred scenarios running through my head, and none of them were great. I wanted to protect her, and felt that I was the only one who could help.
“Come with me.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her after me out of the courtyard. I scanned the area looking for a place to hide, trying multiple doors until I found one unlocked.
“Where are we going?” she asked fearfully.
“I’m going to help you, but I need you to trust me.”
Grace brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face and nodded at me fearfully.
“Get out of your dress.”
“What?” She crossed her arms over her chest and looked at me in surprise.
“We’re going to trade places. I’m going to be you, and you will be me.”
“But if anyone catches you impersonating royalty, you’ll be killed. I can’t let you do that.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s the only way to find out what’s going on so I can help you.”
Grace seemed hesitant at first, and I let her eyes roam over us again as she clearly weighed whether this charade would work.
We switched outfits, and I felt awkward. My hair didn’t curl the same way as hers, my body was more muscled in some parts and thinner in others because I was a trained fighter.
Grace helped make the dress fit better by adjusting the corset. I gasped as she yanked on the ties. “Have you really never worn one of these before?” she asked.
“Never,” I wheezed out, clasping my stomach, unable to control my grimace. Grace grinned and did a twirl in my leotard. Since I wasn't doing aerial work, I had cute, puffed shorts and a colorful blue vest.
When we went to swap shoes, I paused as she rolled down her silk stockings to reveal heavily bandaged feet. Even now, I could see sores on her toes with dried blood crusting to them.
“What happened?”
Grace dropped her head, burying her face into the puffed sleeves of the entertainer vest she now wore.
“It’s okay,” I soothed. “You’re safe now.”
She nodded and took the soft leather shoes I handed her. Grace winced as she slipped her feet inside, and then there was a look of relief when she felt the support of the sturdy shoe.
“These are heavenly.”
Princess Grace’s slippers seemed brand new and ever so soft, with barely a lining for the sole. They felt light and comfortable.
I handed Grace my leather mask, and she seemed hesitant to put it on. “Another mask,” she whispered. “To hide secrets and pain.”
I was about to pull it back when she slipped it over her eyes, tied it, and looked up at me. Her mouth trembled with fear, but she pulled herself together. She licked her lips and swallowed.
“You look good,” I encouraged. “How about me?”
“Here.” She pinned up the sides of my dark hair, letting it cascade over my back, then I braided her hair the way mine had been done. We stood back, admiring each other.
“It won’t fool your sisters,” I said.
“You can. I’m not well-liked among them.”
“Why is that?”
“The king loved my mother, whereas the others were marriages of convenience. Because of that, they treat me ill. I've become very good at blending into the background and going unnoticed. It’s safer.”
I believed her. Had she not been pushed the day of our arrival, I wouldn’t have ever noticed her.
“Is there anything you can tell me about tonight?”
Grace tried to open her mouth, and no words came out, so she shook her head sadly. “Just be careful. Whatever you do, don’t stop.”
“Don’t stop?”
“Yes, don’t stop,” Grace repeated.
A bell tolled out the hour, and Grace panicked. “You have to get back to our room. Follow my other sisters' lead. Just watch, listen, and don’t speak. Do you understand?”
I nodded.
Grace looked relieved, until a commotion began in the palace, and she turned away in fear. “And I’m sorry for what has transpired. It’s not my fault.” Grace backed away.
“Go to Bravado. He’ll help you and show you my tent where you can sleep. Tomorrow we’ll change places again.” I handed her my pack with Rumple, thankful that he was as quiet as ever while we conspired.
“Thank you.” Grace reached out to hug me, and then dashed into the night. I looked down at the silk princess slippers I wore now. Picking up my pace, I proudly walked in the direction of their rooms, thankful I knew where they were.
I felt a tug on my dress and knew Nimm had joined me on my journey. We came to the ward, and I paused. He clung to my leg as I stepped over it. Nothing happened. It hadn’t been reactivated. I came up to a set of familiar double doors.
“Now what?” I mumbled.
I wasn’t sure if I should knock or just open the door and enter. It swung inward, and a familiar face stared back at me.
“Why must you always be late?” Risa groaned, and pulled me into the room after her. “The wards are about to be activated.”
I sucked in a breath between my teeth. That was the secret. The wards were timed to work at night. In the day, they weren’t armed because elves and fae came and went as they worked, but at night, the wards would kill anyone heading toward the princesses rooms . . . or anyone leaving them.
I did my best to keep my gaze down as I stepped into the interior wing of the palace. Its ceiling was painted to resemble a sky. We gathered in a sitting area large enough to have multiple chaise lounges, a piano, and a long dining room table. Risa was pacing in front of a large clock, watching the hands move slowly toward midnight.
“Stop it,” Lisbelle ordered Risa, and then hovered over the tea set that was sitting out on a silver tray. Her hands trembled as she adjusted the tea set, checking the pot with her hands to make sure it was still warm. Her eyes flickered to me before narrowing with hatred. I could tell there was no love lost between the sisters.