Cara's Twelve by Chantel Seabrook Read Free Book Online Page A

of insurgence or defiance on both of you.”
    “And if we don't hide her, the Queen will send her back to the palace, or worse.”
    “No, I don't think she would risk it. Everyone believes Maeve is ill, nothing more. She hasn't been charged or sentenced to any crime, and as far as I know, there has been no suggestion that she won't still travel with you. Once we are in the province of Lydd, if the Queen decides to send her men to detain us then she risks exposing herself and her actions. Her reputation is already facing harsh scrutiny. With the talk of rebellion in the provinces, she doesn't want anyone knowing what she has done to her daughter, or what she plans to do you.”
    Cara scoffed at him, “All the more reason for her to want Maeve confined. We need to get her somewhere safe.”
    “The safest place for Maeve is by your side and under my protection.” Reyn gave her a stern look, and Cara knew she wouldn't win this argument. “We will make it clear to the Queen that her secrets will remain hidden, as long as Maeve is left alone.”
    Cara blew out a frustrated breath. “All right,” she stated simply, acknowledging she would do things his way.
    “I will talk with Finn and Helfrich and get a sense of where their loyalties lie. Both seem to have developed a mutual affection for Maeve and a general dislike for Birkita, and we could use Helfrich's brains and Finn's strength to pull this off.”
    Reyn's comment reminded her of the relationships that had already formed between the men and Maeve during her own confinement. Cara repressed the snippet of jealousy she felt at the thought of Finn having affections towards Maeve.
    “What can I do?” Cara asked, directing her thoughts back to the more pressing matter.
    “For now, carry on as if nothing has changed. Don't do anything to stir suspicion, and let me worry about the details.” He turned to leave and then paused. His eyes narrowed on her. “I promise on my life that we won't leave this city without her.”
    Reyn left her in the shadows, intent on his mission.
    Cara sighed and closed her eyes.
    How had her life become so complicated?
    She would give anything to be home with her father and Callion.
    Cara shook off the depressing thought.
    She had to come to terms with the fact that she would never return to her old life.
    Maeve needed her, and Cara needed to find the strength to help her.
    She released the rest of her frustration in a short, sharp rush of air. Turning the corner, she stopped short and felt the blood drain from her face.
    Edmund stood half in shadow, head cocked leaning against the wall, his arms and legs crossed as he glowered at her.
    Cara assessed his position and knew he hadn't been close enough to overhear her conversation with Reyn, but she was certain by his expression that he had witnessed some of their exchange.
Had he been spying on them?
Maeve had told her that Edmund was the Queen's choice for king consort, and Cara wondered now if he was actively involved in the plot against her.
    “You scared me,” Cara breathed, trying to calm her nerves.
    He tilted his head and examined her closely. “I didn't want to interrupt your little tryst.”
    “What?” Cara exclaimed. Heat rose to her cheeks as she realized that he had concluded that she and Reyn were lovers. “We're not…I mean he's not…”
    Edmund arched a curious brow and moved towards her. Cara resisted the urge to take a step back.
    “It certainly looked like you were, and he was,” he said playfully, giving her a lecherous grin.
    “Reyn is a friend and I had a…a problem I needed talk to him about.” She bit her tongue, realizing she had said too much. If he was working with Birkita, she didn't want to say anything that would make him suspicious about their plan to free Maeve.
    He slid his gaze down her body, and Cara shivered at the dark hunger in his eyes.
    “And what problems needed to be discussed in a shadowed corner?”
    “Personal matters,” Cara stuttered,