Taming the Thorny Rose novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: The Maid

The servant never reached the door.

Two of Aldric's guards caught him by the arms, and Osric rose from his seat.

"Your Majesty," he said smoothly, "surely this is a mistake of the kitchen."

"It is," said Aldric.

His voice sounded rough.

"Take him to the cells and ask him nicely whose kitchen he works for."

The guards dragged the boy away.

He was crying.

I watched the grey line under Aldric's skin fade slowly.

He kept his hands flat on the table so no one would see them shake.

I saw.

I was the only one close enough.

"You idiot," I said under my breath.

"You could have just told me to pour it out."

"And let my uncle's cup sit in front of the court until it vanished?" he said.

"Everyone saw it, and everyone saw me drink it.

"Now they know someone tried."

"Now they know you'll drink silver for a hunter."

"Yes," he said.

"I thought that was useful as well."

I stared at him.

He lifted one dark eyebrow, the one with the scar through it.

I turned away before he could see my face.

I went back to my chamber alone, because he stayed to hold the court together with a smile.

Astrid was waiting inside with the door barred.

She'd taken the dagger from the bedpost and was turning it over in her hands.

"Is it true?" she said at once.

"Did he really drink it?"

"Every drop."

"Idiot," said Astrid, which made me like her more.

Then her face changed.

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