Page 64 of Undertow
“So we’re clear, Sagan didn’t badmouth you. She made it clear that you and your family are loyal—undyingly loyal to the De la Rosas.”
“Of course. It’s our duty and pride,” she accepted.
“Except you don’t like Sagan and that worries her. You prefer some outsider that the queen took under her wing. I hoped that wasn’t really the case because that would be horrible for her, right?” I felt better when the woman adjusted how she sat, clearly feeling guilty. “That would be when help is called in and positions are changed up.”
She definitely was smart enough to catch the threat there.
“But Sagan is a loyal one and made it clear that a few fuckups or…” I licked my lips. “I believe she said people don’t have to like her, but she needs to know she can trust them and they’ll put what’s best first. She’s kinder than I am.”
Raquel wasn’t quick to reply, making me appreciate her more. “I’ve found I was wrong on more than a few things and my opinions are changing. But I have never, noteverbetrayed nor worked against any member of the De la Rosa family, nor would I ever. So if you have a point to make, make it.”
“First, I need to know if you understand who I am and my family,” I hedged, chuckling when she flinched. “Good, that will help.” Then I realized I needed to know exactly what. “I won’t hold it against you, but rumors about women are rarely accurate.”
She accepted that, admitting Sagan’s mother was less than thrilled that a mob boss’s daughter was in the same master’s program when we were at school. But was happy we weren’t friends. “The king and queen wouldn’t be happy with the princess’s decision to make you an aide.”
“Probably not, but if they had handled more and protected her better, I wouldn’t beneeded,” I replied with a growl in my voice. I snorted when she seemed confused. “A coup? Elders walking all over her.”
She swallowed loudly. “Yes, that is—things clearly have gotten out of hand.”
“An understatement when Sagan was probably drugged in her own home.”
“That’s not possible,” she whispered, her face going completely pale.
“The guards think so. Princess Treena and her security are investigating it quietly. They think Sagan was drugged during the funeral feast to activate her heat so she was caught in the wrong bed.”
Raquel shook her head. “It’s unfortunate timing, but that amount of stress—it’s completely within reason for a dragon.”
“And having barely any memory of it after?” I pushed, more for my own curiosity. I got my answer immediately when Raquel let out a small whimper.
So no. No, that wasnotnormal or how it went.
“As I said, I’m needed. I’m here to protect Sagan and do what is needed. You might not like it—others will judge it, but to keep her honorable andalive, I will do what someone like me can.”
“She was drugged,” she whispered, not able to process the information. She sniffled and wiped under her eyes. “Gods forgive me, we’ve failed her.” She pulled herself together and met my gaze. “What can I do? What do you need? How can I help—please protect her.”
I told her the truth. I needed everything. I needed the gossip and who to trust. I needed to know who she had doubts about even if small. I needed to know how to get in and out of the castle without raising suspicion… Everything.
She was a fount of information and I appreciated how well she kept her ear to the ground. Plus, her ability to adapt and change her opinions. The blinders seemed to be coming off on Elira and that would be useful.
“I don’t want to betray a confidence, but I’ve never known Sagan to lie. She won’t admit things she’s not—she’s too smart to ever get caught in a lie,” I told Raquel. “We weren’t ever friends, but I respected her and her integrity.”
“I don’t understand where you’re leading me, but I believe you hold this true,” she muttered as she studied me.
“The only time I’veeverseen her out of sorts was after she visited home and something happened with Elira. She had a few drinks and was on a call with Treena saying that people wouldn’t ever let go that she pushed Elira as a child and it was all a lie. She had no idea who Elira was and it was all staged to make people hate her.
“And it had worked. Something so shallow and cliché had worked and she worried about the intelligence of the people around her parents.Thatwas her only concern. Not that people disliked her. Not that Elira was a problem toher, but that people around her parents weren’t smart enough to catch someone two-faced and that was dangerous for them.”
She didn’t reply for several moments as she considered that. “You never told her that you overheard this, did you?”
I slowly smiled at her. “We’re going to get along well, Raquel. I appreciate smart people, and unlike my father, I’m not threatened by them. I’m not unhinged, and while I have no problem living in the gray areas, I’m not a monster.”
She stood, understanding the meeting was over. “Good, because if you betray the princess or damage her, I will crush you.”
I stood as well and offered her my hand. “I’d expect no less. But there’s still a difference between us there.”
She shook my hand but raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yes, because I wouldn’t kill you so fast. I’d torture you, your family, and then sell you off. I’m dedicated in my punishments, so never fuck with me.”
