While Vincent is hamming it up to the patrons, I survey the group, following the nobles out of the tavern, and quietly hitch a ride on the back of their coach, clinging to it as the breeze tickles my cheeks. Very few have horse drawn coaches, and those who do almost always head to the palace. It's safe to assume I can get inside, now I just have to find the girl set on usurping King Alexander of his throne. The sheath of the blade sits nestled against my thigh. I inhale the fresh air, and my heart patters with the rhythm of the coach, the wheels turning over large stones and grass. It's loud and bumpy.
I'm careful to scoot from one side to the other as we pass a patrol of guards on horseback. How will I explain myself should I get caught? My fingers are sore from their grip, but I know we're close. The castle is straight ahead with a moat on either side and a drawbridge being lowered. The darkness hides me well as I cling to the coach and lift my cloak around me, blending in seamlessly.
The horses slow over the bridge, the wood rickety with each spin of the wheels pulling the coach. There are a fury of guards by the front entrance, and I quietly dismount. There has to be another way inside.
The sheath of the dagger brushes against my skin as I walk, the material nestled to my thigh, a constant reminder that it's there to keep me safe and a nagging cue of what I must still do. The night air is cool and the grounds silent. With every step, I chide myself to keep quiet, not wanting anyone to hear my feet crunching on grass.
I skirt the side of the stone walls to the palace and turn the corner. There's a glimmer of light, and it's not from the moon, shining through an open door. Who left it open? Had they stepped outside for a moment or were waiting for a secret lover to enter?
I pray no one can hear my footsteps as I swiftly dart through the darkness for the cracked open door. A lantern hangs in the kitchen as I enter the empty room, grateful there are no questions to be answered. What will I say? Confessing the truth will get me hanged.
My heels clink on the stone floor. Unfamiliar with my surroundings, I take each step closer and tentative, not wanting to alert anyone of the intrusion. My stomach grumbles. I haven't eaten since breakfast, and the ale at the tavern didn't do me any favors. There's bread on the counter and I snatch a piece, quickly eating away at the evidence of my intrusion. My fingers are covered in flour, and I grab the nearest rag, wiping them clean. I must move on, find the girl so I can go home. The small piece of dinner bubbles in my stomach at the thought of killing her. Perhaps it's best to commit murder on an empty stomach.
Footsteps echo outside the door, and I duck as if crouching down on the ground will protect me. The door to the kitchen remains shut. No one has entered; for now, I'm safe.
I stand and brush the dirt and flour from my hands. The floor is a mess and needs a good sweeping. It's now or never. The longer I remain at the palace, the greater chance I have of being caught. The only comfort I have is from the blade hidden beneath my dress. However, if I reveal the sharp tipped dagger, I'm bound to cause more trouble than just explaining I'm a servant. Of course, one look at my dress and cloak and anyone with half a brain will know I'm no commoner.
With caution, I ease the kitchen door forward, slipping into the hall and having a look around. Torches light the path up the stairwell. If Alexander and I have a sister, then she must be up in bed, probably asleep at this hour. That's where I need to go, upstairs.
Each step I take, my heels clink against the floor. I lift one foot, removing my heel and repeat the motion a second time. I carry my shoes in one hand as I lift the hem of my gown, walking up the staircase. To my right, a window is cut in the stone wall, revealing a glimpse of the night. In the distance, I can see the town where I'd just been. Vincent is probably getting himself into a horse shit of trouble, buying drinks with no money to pay the tab. Will he find himself hauled into the prison cells at the palace? Had that been his intent to help me? Hardly seemed like a solid plan, since I'd be the one rescuing him.
Approaching the landing, I see a half dozen doors on either side of me. Which one leads to my sister? The last thing I want is to face King Frederyk.
Each door is identical and the rooms silent. I pray everyone is out cold and are heavy sleepers. I start with the door on the right. It's the closest and, quite frankly, the easiest one when I'm done, to turn around and hurry out the way I came in.
There's not a sound as I turn the handle, gently easing the door open. Though it's heavy, I'm grateful it didn't reveal my entrance. The moonlight stretches in through the windows, giving me a glimpse of a sleeping child. Exhaling an anxious breath, I retreat into the hall, closing the door as quietly as I can.
On to the next door on my left. I sneak across the hall, my footsteps light as I try the handle and turn the doorknob. The wood groans in protest, and I grimace, praying no one wakes up. It seems the palace is asleep, though I have no clue why the nobles arrived so late or where they're staying, hopefully another floor since I doubt they've fallen asleep already. I don't dare think about the number of rooms that the palace has and that if I fail with these twelve, how many more I'll have to sneak into tonight to complete my mission. No. I'm certain that if this girl exists as Alexander believes, she'd be on the highest floor with the royals.
Down below, there are loud boots making their way up the stairs. I have no choice but to hide. I slip into the room and shut the door as best I can in silence.
My heart is slamming against my chest as I hear voices just outside the door in the hallway. I don't recognize them, which means it isn't the nobles. Could it be the guards patrolling the house? Had they noticed the door had been left open? Surely, if they'd thought there'd been an intruder, they'd have sounded the alarms. I breathe a sigh of relief and glance at the bed across the room. A woman is curled under the covers, her back to me. Her long dark hair reminds me of Alexander's. Could they be half-siblings? I patter across the room, trying to get a better look at her face. It's difficult to tell. Perhaps I should have devised a better plan. I slip my hand up my gown to grab the dagger. My dress rustles and the woman rolls onto her back. I hold my breath, waiting to see if she wakes up. Her eyes remain shut. I remove the blade from its sheath. What if I'm wrong and I slay the wrong woman in her sleep? I won't murder the entire court, even if they are our enemy. I'm neither soldier nor warrior. With quiet footsteps, I retreat, glancing at the jewelry on her bureau. It glitters like the sun on the open sea. Diamond necklaces and rings are scattered about, tangled together in a heap. To be so wealthy and careless, it baffles me. I pause, glancing in the center of the mix of diamonds as a ruby ring catches my attention. I glance at my hand, to the ring I'm wearing, and again at the one nestled tight on the bureau. Could it be a coincidence or had King Charles given the jewel to her mother, same as he had mine?
My hands perspire with the dagger in my grasp. Even if she is the enemy and plotting King Alexander's demise, I can't kill her while she's sleeping. I back out of the room, my hand on the door behind me as I open it and retreat into the hallway, stumbling into someone from behind.
"Shit," I mutter under my breath, inwardly cursing at myself for being so careless. I spin around, emitting a gasp when I come face-to-face with Christopher. "What the hell are you doing here?" I smack his arm, anger biting at me as I push past him for the stairwell. Christopher might be the devil, but he wouldn't turn me in, would he? I'm not waiting around to find out.
He's quick on his feet, his boots trampling down the stairs. He's sure to wake the entire palace, and I want to scream at him to be quiet, but I know that would be far worse. I stop walking, spin around quietly and stare up at him. "Can you be a little louder? I don't think you woke King Alexander."
"You mean Frederyk?" Christopher says, his eyes narrowing.
"No. I mean you're bound to wake two kingdoms with all the racket you're making. Keep your voice down."
Christopher smiles, his demeanor calm. He reaches out, grazing a strand of my auburn hair, stroking it between his fingers. "I never thought I'd see you again."
I grip the handrail, glancing down the stairs, careful not to miss a step. "You're married," I say, reminding him about his wife and how he abandoned me in our pursuit for the truth. Seems he cared little about her and only for himself.
"Am I?" Christopher asks. "Did she jerk like a chicken when she was hanged?"
Such a cruel question from a man who should be grieving. "The king hasn't executed her yet, you idiot!" I smack his arm again, forceful and intending to leave a bruise. "You're worth nothing more than horse's shit. You could have had me hanged alongside of her."
Christopher's eyes narrow, curious. "Why are you here, Helene?" His voice, though soft, is filled with apprehension. I can feel the questions curling around him like smoke rising.
"I came looking for you." I've gotten good with lying, or so it feels as I stare at him, showing no indication of my distrust.
"Then why are you running away from me?" Christopher asks.
"Seems I was right. You are a coward and would prefer to change allegiances. I can't stop you, and I won't. If you'd prefer to live among brutes, then that is your choice." I spin on my feet and quietly head down to the first floor. I slip back on my heels, feeling Christopher's eyes gaping at my back.
"Even if I wanted to believe you, Helene, you haven't explained the knife in your hands."
"It's a dagger," I say, correcting him with my head held high, showing no hint of fear. With one foot in front of the other, I stalk through the kitchen, heading toward the back exit. The door is still open, just a bit. Enough that it had been left unlocked and unattended.
"Helene," Christopher says, calling after me.
I don't wait to hear what he says next. I tear out of the castle, through the grass, and pull up my cloak to hide myself in the darkness of night. The moon offers too much light, and I fear the guards will see me.
An alarm sounds at once inside the palace, and the half dozen men guarding the gate retreat inside. The bridge is down, and the exit is clear. Had Christopher helped me out? I don't have time to mull it over. There's no coach to steal a ride and hide on. Borrowing a horse would involve me having to turn back around for the stable. I run, as far and as hard as I can, toward the forest. Brush scrapes my legs and branches scratch my arms as I struggle to find the path back into town. I'd seen the village from the window, now I just had to find my way back and hope Vincent hadn't found himself in any more trouble.

"We've got trouble," I whisper to Vincent in his ear, as I approach him at the bar. Has he moved at all since I left? He hands a wrapped wad of cash to the bartender.
"This should cover it."
I don't dare ask where that money came from. He must have stolen it from the men he'd pretended to buy drinks for. I never knew he had the blood of a thief in him.
Vincent stands, and I walk with him outside. He stumbles slightly, the smell of liquor basking his breath. "A cold night, is it?" He shivers beside me as we walk toward the horses. "Tell me it's done." His voice grows low and quiet. "Do we need to hurry out of town?"
"Possibly, but I didn't—I couldn't," I say, chewing my bottom lip raw. "There's something you should know."
"Something else?" Vincent asks. "Please tell me the girl fell down the stairs or jumped out the window. Even if you didn't push her, I'd be fine without a body, just telling the king it's done."
"You're not listening," I say, gritting my teeth. "She's alive and Christopher is at the palace with her."
"Christopher, as in, your Christopher?" We round the corner and retrieve the horses before mounting them.
"He's not mine," I say. I'm quick to clarify that I want no association with Christopher any longer. "Vincent, he helped me escape. I think he sounded the alarm so I could get away."
Vincent shakes his head. "Get away? You didn't do anything wrong!" The snarl leaves his lips far faster than I ever thought possible. "The one thing your king asked you to do and you failed. Do you know what that means?"
"I know I'm no murderer. I'll give you the dagger. If you want to go to the palace and make sure it's done, do it yourself." I pull the blade from its sheath, offering him the handle.
Vincent's voice wavers slightly. His voice drops soft, almost as if he's afraid to speak the words aloud. "I don't kill women. It's not right. You're a woman; you ought to do it."
I laugh at how ridiculous he sounds. "What?" Has he lost his mind? Perhaps he's had too much to drink. I'm tired and we both could use sleep, but it's a bad idea to stay here and wait to see if guards from the palace come in search of us, worse because Vincent's still in his guard uniform. "Forget it. We'll ride until we're too tired," I say. He managed to sleep last night; I wasn't so fortunate.
He follows me in his half-drunken state through the trail and back out of King Frederyk's land. "You're going to have to explain this to the king."
"I know." I'll probably also have to confess that I am also Alexander's sister. At least he may find some relief knowing one of us doesn't want him dead and the crown on our head. The longer we ride, the quieter Vincent becomes. I pray he's sobering up. I don't wish him to fall off the horse or become lulled to sleep from the ride. The horses trot loudly, knowing nothing of being quiet, and the sooner we get into our own kingdom the better.
"Halt!" voices shout from up ahead.
Vincent's eyes widen. The surge of adrenaline that is piercing my heart and pumping in my veins must be doing the same for him. He pulls the sword from its sheath at his side.
I remove the dagger holstered to my thigh, the only weapon I've been provided. When I get back to the palace, I will insist on a sword shall I be sent out again on another scandalous mission at the king's request. I pray I don't get close enough to the assailants to find the need to use the dagger.
"Ride hard!" Vincent says and I take the lead, kicking the horse to move faster. The other men are on horseback as well; there's little reason to think they can't catch up.
Vincent doesn't keep up with me, nor does he try. With his sword drawn, I can hear the clank of metal, and I glance over my shoulder to see the three men battling one another. Do I go back and fight alongside of Vincent? He's a skilled guard. I'd probably get more in the way. I slow the horse but keep moving. Every so often, I glance over my shoulder. They fade in the distance, the darkness swallowing them whole.
My stomach aches at leaving him behind. It isn't right, but what choice do I have? Getting myself killed seems a terrible way to end the night. I forge on; perhaps I can find some of our men once I'm back on King Alexander's land. Harder I ride, urging the horse forward as I enter our kingdom.
"Helene!" Vincent's voice is but a whisper in the distance as he calls out to me.
Trudging through a stream and onto safe territory, I slow the horse to a stop, waiting for Vincent. I have to be certain it was his voice I heard and not a trick. Christopher knows I was at the palace; he could have given the guards my name.
I hear the hoof beats before I see the person riding atop the horse. Squinting, I breathe a sigh of relief as it's Vincent making his way across the river. "Keep up with me," he says and the horse trots alongside of him. "We may be out of enemy territory, but it doesn't mean they won't hold back. It's best if we can get to the nearest town."
"How far is that?" I stifle a yawn.
"A couple of hours riding from here."
"Great," I mutter under my breath. We ride through the night and into the first early light of the morning, just before the sun rises up into the sky. A faint warm glow bathes the land. Though I'm tired, it's relaxing. "I have to tell you something," I say. I could wait until I return to the palace, but I feel it'd be better to see Vincent's response. Perhaps then he could help ease the blow when I give it to the king.
"Go on."
"The girl I couldn't kill, King Alexander's sister—" I exhale an anxious breath. "She's not his only sister." Maybe I'm foolish to tell Vincent. He could leave me alone, lost in the countryside to fend for myself or die trying.
"What do you mean?"
"My mother gave me this ring." I hold up my hand. "She received it from my father, King Charles. That girl I saw tonight, that I was supposed to murder, she's also my sister."
Vincent stops the horse, and I do the same, waiting for him to say something.
His eyes are wide like two saucers. "Did you steal that from the palace? It's not funny, Helene."
"I'm not laughing." My voice is serious, stoic. There are plenty of things to joke about; this isn't one of them. "I would have told the king sooner, but he wanted his sister's head. I didn't feel comfortable divulging my own secret."
"For good reason," Vincent says. He glances over his shoulder and his eyes narrow. Is he looking for the men who chased us earlier? I don't see anyone. "Keep moving."
I follow alongside of him, waiting for him to say something. "What do you think the king's response will be? Especially when I don't bring him what he asked for, his sister's head?"
"He may not trust you. In fact, I'm certain he won't." Vincent is right to the point. "The king may very well be angry with me for letting you travel into enemy territory. I warned you about following the rules while at the palace. Lying or deceiving the king could be seen as treason."
"I would never betray the crown or our country. You have to believe me."
"You didn't follow through on a direct order from the king," Vincent says, reminding me of my failure.
"No. I didn't commit murder," I say. "I'm sorry if that puts my life in further danger. He may not have asked me to commit such an atrocious act had he known we were related."
"Which is why you should have told him!" Vincent's cheeks are red along with his ears. His nostrils flare as he speaks. "If anyone discovers the truth, you could be held for ransom, or worse."
"I know." At least I know as much now. I hadn't thought that far ahead. Vincent fought off the men who had attacked earlier. Hopefully, they're the last of our trouble.
"We ride until we reach the palace. Taking you into town, it's risky."
"Why? I used to live in Paris, Vincent." I'm not used to living a life among royals. He should know that and not expect it of me. Is this what my life will become? Forced to live in the castle or only to leave with guards at my side? Telling Vincent was a bad idea.
"Yes, but King Frederyk's men may come looking for you. There are better protections once we reach the palace. King Alexander would order me to return you at once, had he known who you were."
"Who I am?" I repeat. "I'm not a royal or a noble, Vincent. I'm the same girl I was yesterday. The only difference is your reaction. The fact you now know that Alexander and I share a father."
He doesn't answer me as he rides. The sun has stretched into the sky, and the morning light beams down upon us. "Are you going to tell the king or shall I?" Vincent asks.
We're still far from the castle. The land has grown familiar through the ride, but I don't see the stone walls yet. I avert his thoughts, wanting him to discuss something else, anything else. "We all keep secrets, Vincent. Tell me yours."
"My secrets?" He frowns, evidently surprised by my question. "What would you care about those?"
"Why wouldn't I?" I shrug. "You know I'm a sister to the king, but I'm no princess."
"You could have been, had King Charles claimed you as his own."
"He didn't. I'm nothing more than the madame I was when I arrived at the palace. Just without a brothel."
Vincent's face contorts in a mixture of pain. "Yes, about that." He stalls, choosing his words carefully.
"Vincent." I'm quick with a temper, short on sleep, and not in the mood for games. "What is it? What aren't you telling me?"
"The fire—" he exhales loudly and stumbles with what to say. He opens his mouth as if to continue but then quickly shuts it. He does it twice before I finally speak.
"Swear to me you didn't burn down my home." I clench my jaw and my fists are tight in the reins. I don't know what I will do if he confesses that he's responsible. The anger surging through my veins is forcing my heart to palpitate.
"I only wanted to save you."
His words force my stomach to lurch and my heart to skip a beat. My chest tightens. "You're crazy." I shake my head, kicking the horse, urging him to ride faster. I need to get away from Vincent. The mere thought of spending time with a man who destroyed my home is disturbing. "Stay away from me!"
"It was an accident. You have to believe me, Helene."
"You mounted your horse and left in the rain," I say, remembering him disappearing into the night. A part of me wanted to see him again, but not like this. How could I believe him? He admitted to starting the fire. It was no wonder he was there, able to save me! Vincent doesn't slow, coming to ride alongside of me. His stare is never wavering as he draws the horse closer. The path is wide through the grass, and I steer my horse farther from him. "You tried to kill me!"
"I swear, that wasn't my intention."
"I can't forgive you, Vincent." My answer is forceful, and my eyes are wide, as adrenaline surges through me. "Does King Alexander know what you've done? That you're responsible for the fire?"
Vincent's gaze falters but he keeps a steady pace beside me. "No." His voice is soft, his words a confession. "I haven't told anyone."
Of course, he had kept what he'd done a secret! I was right for sending Charlotte away.
"You have to hear my side, Helene. I didn't come there to set your home on fire."
Bitterness seeps into me. "Well, at least you're now calling it my home." It was better than listening to him refer to my place as the brothel. Even though that's what it was, the way he said it, made my stomach sink.
"I wanted to see you again. I stole a torch from outside and walked up to the window to peer into your home."
I snort under my breath. "Are you serious?" Had he lost his mind?
"I wasn't going to break in," Vincent says. "I just wanted to talk to you. I had hoped you were downstairs and that I might get your attention at the window."
"And when I wasn't, you what? Decided to light my place on fire?" I can't believe him!
"I must have got a little too close to the wood, and the area's been dry lately. You know that. Next thing I knew, the place was in flames. I tried running to the nearest watering hole, grabbed a bucket, and ran back to douse the fire. I didn't have nearly enough water, so I ran inside and searched the building."
The world around me sways, and I pray I don't fall off my horse. "You could have killed my girls! Why would you do that?"
"I swear, it was an accident," Vincent says. His voice trembles, and I know just by a single quick glance, he's telling the truth.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" My heart won't slow down. "You've committed a greater crime, Vincent. You'll be brought before the king and could be executed."
"Only if he finds out," Vincent says, keeping his voice low. "Promise me you won't say a word."
"How can you ask me that?"
"How can I not? I rescued you from the flames. I've offered you my home."
"King Alexander offered me the palace," I say, reminding him I had taken the king up on his offer, not Vincent's.
"No." Vincent's voice is firm. "I asked first. You accepted his proposal, but I invited you to stay here."
Exhaling a sigh, I nod. "Yes, you did." I won't deny that about him. He does have a caring bone in his body, even if he doesn't always show it.
"Swear to me you won't tell the king, and I'll keep your secret safe."
He's gotten my attention. "You won't tell Alexander I'm his sister?"
Vincent's jaw is tight. "You're not his only sister. Let's keep him from wanting you dead for a little while longer."
In the distance, I can just make out the stone towers of the palace. We're close. "I won't tell the king that you started the fire as long as you keep my secret."