Obsidian Ridge - Jess Lebow [54]
Crossing through the great hall, she hurried her way through the palace's stone hallways to the princess's chamber. Retrieving her key from the pocket of her robe, she slipped it into the lock and let herself in.
The room was mostly dark, but her half-elf eyes could see clearly. Obviously, no one had been looking after the princess's chamber. Chairs were out of place. The linens on the bed were unmade. And the doors of the wardrobe were wide open. Even the lid of the wooden chest where they kept. the winter blankets was askew. It appeared as if someone has ransacked the place, looking for something.
This just wouldn't do. Weaving her way through the disheveled furniture, Genevie went to the window and threw wide the drapes, letting in the late afternoon light.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do," growled a voice from behind her.
Turning around, Genevie dropped to one knee. "My king," she said, following it up with an elaborate bow.
A single hand wrapped around her left arm and dragged her to her feet. Genevie tried to pull herself from the soldier's grasp, but the Magistrate's powerful hand held her tight.
Genevie twisted in pain. "My lord, make him stop. He's… he's hurting me."
"Oh," said the king, crossing his arms over his chest, his eyes growing dark. "These men haven't even begun to hurt you."
The Magistrate dragged Genevie out of the princess's chambers. Just outside the door stood six armed guards and a court wizard, all of whom drew their weapons and fell into step behind Genevie as she was dragged away. Stopping at the end of the hall, the king himself kicked open another door and pointed.
"In there," he ordered.
The Magistrate not-so-gently threw the handmaiden into the room, following behind. The king entered as well.
Genevie crashed into a set of wooden shelves against the far wall and collapsed to the floor. She had been in this room before. Little more than a closet, this was where the servants and staff who took care of this floor kept their buckets and mops. There were no windows here-no light and no way out except through the open door into the hallway-both of which were blocked by the king and the Magistrate.
Genevie pulled her legs into her body and covered her head with her hands. "Please, my lord, don't hurt me. I-"
"Where have you been, Genevie?" asked the king. He was pacing back and forth between the walls of the tiny room. "We've been looking all over for you."
"I-I-I-" Genevie stuttered. Her whole body was shaking, and she was gasping for air between giant sobs.
"Out with it, Genevie," said the king. "You go missing on the same day my daughter disappears. Were you with her when she was taken?"
Genevie shook her head, unable to get out any words.
"Then where were you?" The king bent down, placing his huge face in front of hers. "Well?"
Genevie kept quiet, just lying on the ground, her arms, curled around her body as tightly as she could draw them.
"Answer me!" shouted the king. He grabbed her by the front of her robes, lifting her into the air. "You were my daughter's closest confidant, and you sold her out, didn't you? You and Whitman, you did this together. You were the only other person who could have known where she was going to be. You knew about her late nights. You knew when she came and left the palace. And you sold her out!"
"No! No, it's nothing like that. I would never hurt the princess. Never." Genevie spat out the words in desperation, trying to get free.
The king slapped her across the face with the-back of his hand. "Then Whitman comes back with an offer from the Matron. And you conveniently show up." He let her go, dropping the half-elf to the floor.
Genevie scampered into the corner, curling herself up into a ball.
"On the same day, no less." Korox continued his pacing. "You disappear without a trace. No word from you. Nothing for three full days.