Chapter 113


    Chapter 0113


    Yet would the public questioning be enough to deter the King? I had to think so. After all, public opinion


    was swaying much of what happened here.


    As long as I continued to earn the public’s favor, then I should be safe.


    I hoped.


    “I have an idea,” I said. “But there’s one thing I have to tell you first. About my private audience with the


    King,”


    Nichs expression was carefully neutral, but Mark’s worry was outright.


    “Tell us,” Nichs said.


    I closed my eyes, hesitating for a moment. I had kept this secret from Nichs, wanting to protect him,


    but if I was going to take this risk, I would need strong allies. No one was a stronger ally than the oldest


    prince and his Beta. 2


    “The King knows about our past,” I said.


    When I was met with silence, I peeked open my eyes. Nichs’s brow was pulled together.


    “I never told him.”


    “I know. He said that,” I said. “But he… He had you followed, Nichs. He likely had me followed too.


    He


    knew things, and I


    “Did he know about Elva?”


    “I don’t know. He didn’t say if he did. But he’s terrifying. The very walls have ears for him. I wouldn’t be


    surprised if he knew everything.”


    Nichs crumpled the cards in his hand. “He threatened you.”


    I lowered my gaze.


    “Piper?”


    “Yes. He said if I told anyone about you and me, he would… well, the threat was clear.”


    He mmed his hand down on the table. “That will not happen.”


    The naise roused Elva. “Mommy?”


    Nichs immediately cooled his anger. “Sorry,” he whispered to me.


    “I’m here, honey,” I called, rising from the table. I touched Nichs’s shoulder as I passed, offering him


    quick forgiveness. Then I walked around the bed to help settle Elva again.


    “Is Nickss here too?” she asked.


    “He is.” I brushed some of the hair back from her face. “He’s keeping us safe. Mark, too.”


    Elva nodded, easily epting that.


    “Is the garden party soon?” Someone must have told her already about the next challenge.


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    “A few days.”


    “Will I get another pretty dress?”


    “Of course.”


    H


    “Will I get lots of food?”


    “Undoubtedly.


    “Will I get to ride a wolf?”


    Iughed lightly. “That might be harder to provide.”


    “If the princess wants to ride a wolf at the garden party, then so be it.” Nichs approached the other


    side of the bed. He smiled down at me and Elva. “I’ve been thinking having more protection around


    wouldn’t be harmful, after all.”


    I lifted a brow. “Surely the wolves wouldn’t be allowed in the pce.”


    “Not all of them,” Nichs said. “Maybe only two.”


    Mark stood as well. “I will begin the arrangements at once.”


    I


    “Ask them first,” I said. I could guess the two he wanted to employ were Night and Silver, but I hated to


    bother them, pulling them out of the wild and into a stuffy castle, when they were meant to be free.


    Nichs nodded, and conveyed the request to Mark.


    “Of course, sir. Piper.” Then Mark backed away, out of the room.


    “Does this mean I get to ride Night again?” Elva asked.


    “We’re asking him.” I said, before Nichs could blindly agree. I’d leamed quickly that he had trouble


    Later, when it turned to evening, and Nichs had to go, I walked him to the door.


    “You never told me your n,” he said.


    I gave him a soft smile. I felt better telling him now, knowing he knew of his father’s threats. He would


    protect Elva and me, of that I was certain.


    If we yed our cards right, the public would help, too.


    Sol told him, “We take charge of the narrative.”