Sleepers by Megg Jensen Read Free Book Online

clear as I saw why my people needed to be free. She could be my greatest ally. I’d have to talk to Kellan about it, get his opinion. He’d see the brilliance of the plan. No one would suspect the queen of helping us overthrow the king.
    My mind swam with the possibilities. Mags had access to nearly every part of the castle and could provide a cover if we had to disappear for a few days. It was genius.
    “I’ve spent the last four years trapped in this room,” Mags continued. “Do you know I’ve never left the town since being made queen? I believed growing up that if I was chosen my life would be filled with wondrous trips around the kingdom.”
    She paused to look at me.
    “I’d even hoped one day I could travel to your homeland. To see what life is really like for your people. I want to know if everything is true. If they are grateful to us for what we’ve done.”
    I looked down at the floor, for fear my anger would bleed through.
    Mags sighed and I looked up at her again.
    “I’m upsetting you, aren’t I?” she asked.
    “I just don’t know what to think.” I sat down on the side of the bed. “Most of my life I’ve believed everything I was taught. Why would I think any different? But lately I wonder how much of it is true.”
    “It’s normal.” Mags patted my hand. I softened at her touch. “As we get older, we’re bound to start forming our own opinions. Besides, how can we be expected to believe in something we’ve never seen?”
    I wanted to tell her everything I knew. I wanted to tell her she was right, that she could help us. But I held back. It was too soon. I’d only known for a few hours and telling her, when I had so little information, could be disastrous for both of us.
    “I don’t like all of this secrecy today,” Mags said. Her lips formed a pout. “I thought we were best friends.” She tilted her head and stared at me. “Are you okay? You seem different and not in a happy way. I’d expect if you’d spent the night with Kellan you’d be floating on air.”
    I stiffened again. She knew me too well and I wanted so much to confide in her. But I couldn’t. Not yet.
    “I’m just tired.” I feigned a yawn. Mags reached over to pick up Trevin and I swore she rolled her eyes. But today wasn’t the day for me to call her on it, not when I needed my privacy so much.
    “If you’re so tired, then I’ll just dismiss you for the rest of the day,” Mags said, snuggling her face onto Trevin’s head. It was a comforting movement, for herself, not Trevin. I’d seen her do it a thousand times with the other two boys.
    My face burned with shame.
    “I don’t mind staying,” I insisted. I suddenly craved normalcy. I didn’t want to think about the anger I felt. I just wanted to be with my best friend and her son.
    “Forget it, Lianne,” Mags said. “The reason I keep you here so much is because I enjoy your company. But today, you’re not yourself. Just go and when you come back tomorrow please bring back your old personality. I miss you.”
    I nodded and heaved myself off the bed.
    “And get Heather to help me today. I’m not ready to see Albree just yet either.”
    I placed my hand on the door and looked back at Mags with Trevin. She loved him, anyone could see that. But I saw something different. I saw a girl whose life had been ripped away from her. A girl who’d been forced into slavery, no matter how lush the dresses and baubles. A girl who had no freedom.
    A girl like me.
    Mags looked up at me again and she gave me a small smile.
    “Don’t forget. Tomorrow the Lianne I know and love better show up.”
    I nodded, echoing her smile, but at the same moment a tear fell down my cheek. I wanted revenge but I wanted to protect my friend who sat in the middle of it all.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    I walked through the castle, smiling at everyone I passed. Even if I didn’t know their names, they knew me. I was the only female adoptee and I’d gained the favoritism of the queen.