The Mirror King (Orphan Queen) by Jodi Meadows Read Free Book Online Page B

for silence seriously.”
    Good luck.
    “In the meantime, we’ll need to make sure there’s room in the shelters for the new refugees.”
    “You think we should let them into the city?” Tobiah looked at her across the small distance, his face bland. “The shelters are already so full and food is scarce.”
    “They’re Indigo Kingdom citizens.”
    “Would you feel differently if they were refugees from another kingdom?”
    Her lips parted with affront or indecision—I couldn’t tell. “Of course not. They’re people in need, regardless.”
    Tobiah nodded. “Still, with a few noble exceptions”—he motioned at me—“my father didn’t allow refugees into the city.”
    “You are not your father and the wraith had not touched the Indigo Kingdom while he was in power.”
    The crown prince offered a shallow nod. “The gates will be open, my lady.”
    Meredith glowed with her triumph. “Thank you.”
    Tobiah pressed one palm to his stomach, over the shirt and bandages beneath. A shadow crossed his face. “Now, ifyou don’t mind, I’d like to rest before the next emergency. My father’s memorial is in two days and I plan to be fully recovered by then.”
    “I’ll leave you to your rest, then.” I replaced my knife and started for the door.
    “Wilhelmina?”
    I looked over my shoulder to find Tobiah’s glare mixed with something like distaste.
    “Please change your clothes into something more becoming of a lady of your station. Parading around the palace like that is . . . unseemly.”
    I let my voice thin. “If Your Highness wishes to control my wardrobe as well as my movements throughout the palace, consider supplying something more to your taste.”
    He gave a bored sigh and roll of his eyes.
    I slipped out of the room and through the busy parlor, and headed into the hall. My fingernails carved crescents into my palms.
    Meredith caught up with me a minute later. “He shouldn’t be so mean to you. Not only did you help save his life, you’re a princess.”
    I halted in the middle of the hallway and studied her guileless face. She deserved a true answer. Not the whole truth, but some truth, nonetheless. “It’s my rank that’s part of the problem.” Saints, I wished Melanie were here. “The last thing he expected when I was unmasked, so to speak, was to discover the heir to the vermilion throne. He’s already dealing with the wraith problem and his ascension to the throne. I complicate everything.”
    “Still,” she said. “It’s no excuse for his poor behavior.”
    “I’m inclined to agree with you, Lady Meredith.”
    Sergeant Ferris followed me. Was he a bodyguard? Spy? Did it even matter? His sidelong looks were skepticism and distrust, with a dash of superiority. He was who he claimed to be, while I exchanged one identity for another, as quickly as changing clothes.
    I doubted Sergeant Ferris would judge his crown prince so harshly.
    But with the death of King Terrell, Black Knife would never go out again. If I didn’t know his identity, I wouldn’t know why he’d disappeared. I’d have looked for him a few more times, and accepted that he’d been called to do something else. He would have remained a mystery, a dark and lovely memory who haunted my dreams.
    Forgive me , his note had said. Forgive me .
    “Your Highness.” Sergeant Ferris hauled open the door to my suite, as though I didn’t have the strength to do it myself. “Please let me know if you need anything else.”
    I ignored him and went into my room.
    The wraith boy was exactly where I’d ordered him: under my bed, his pale face peeking out from beneath the blankets hanging over the sides. His chest was pressed against the hardwood floor, not quite on the nearby rug of lamb’s wool that warmed my feet every morning.
    “You’re still here.”
    “You told me to wait for you.” His voice was like wind, hollow and ageless, and dangerously powerful.
    “I know, but—” Saying I’d hoped he would have left