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WELL IF SHE ISN’T QUEEN I can see that she’s something. Maybe a witch, I don’t know. I am a bit shell-shocked, to be fair. A bit lost for words. I know that never happens to me. But it did tonight.
Everleigh just called a load of birds, right to her window, right to her hand. It was madness. It was magical and wonderful, and she is so happy.
But I am frightened. Life is how it is. Now I may not be clever like Cook or learned like Everleigh but I’m not daft. The world is how it is, and people don’t like change. Macsen and Millard are never gonna take this lying down, though she says it’ll be fine.
I don’t see how it will be. She’s the Kingmaker. The whole Realm is here to watch her die for crying out loud. For her to turn around and say, “Thanks for coming all of you, but I decided not to bother doing my life’s duty.” I can’t see it going down too well.
I know she has some magic in her, but will that be enough to save her life?
I leave her in bed, a little maid stationed outside her room and head out to the courtyard. I am Everleigh’s handmaiden. I’m not expected to do other chores around the castle, so I get a fair bit of free time. I do help Cook, but only because I don’t sleep in with Everleigh. I can always make an excuse that she needs me, though, if I need a rest. I’ve got it pretty good here.
That’s a good thing, if she doesn’t die, I get to stay with her.
I just have a bad feeling.
“Can you keep a secret?” The question is out of my mouth as soon as I see my friend and I feel better, I’m sorry but I do. I know it makes me a terrible person, but I can’t help it. Secrets worry me. People asking people to keep secrets is a bit selfish. I understand why she couldn’t keep it quiet. Neither can I.
He is nodding at me; his eyes warm in the cool evening air. I like this boy a lot. He is kind to me.
“Course.” His voice is rough, his accent broad as his shoulders.
As I think about telling him I feel the relief of a secret shared but also the horrible squirm of guilt in my tummy.
Can I really do this? Everleigh would never forgive me.
Is it worth it, just to have something to talk about with this man? Possibly not, but I think I’m going to do it.
As I am about to unburden myself there is a shout from the yard. One of the King’s men searching for my friend. He kisses me quickly and rushes off. “See you tomorrow.”
I have some time now to decide whether to keep my secret. But I know I’m gonna tell him. Once you share a secret it’s not your own any more, and Everleigh should have thought about that before she told me.