Page 19 of Never Ever After

“Do you want to meet the handsome prince?” He smiles, though his eyes remain flat. “Is that why you washed your face and dressed this way?”

An unwelcome reminder that he’s seen me looking far more like a thief than a lady. “How did you recognize me?”

“You left quite an impression, even when painted over.” He taps the mark on his neck where I’d cut him.

I stifle a rash insult. “You look different too, though you sound just the same.”

“I’ll take it as a compliment.” He inclines his head. “I must return to my companions; they are waiting for me outside the hall. But when we meet again, it’s safer if we address each other formally, like we haven’t met before.”

“Why? Were you not supposed to be in the village?” I’d like a hold over him, as he has over me.

“Fortunately for you, I was there.” His tone hardens. “It is in both our interests to be discreet.”

Our secret winds between us like a thread, one I should sever before it entangles me. As he turns from the hall, I continue my search. At last, a familiar red robe appears, one with a frayed hem. I fall back at once, shadowing Mistress Henglan from behind. Though her clothes are plainer than those she mingles among, she carries herself with assurance. She speaks to a woman with rubies in her ears, who throws her head back and laughs. Something glints in Mistress Henglan’s palm—her precious dagger. With a quick jerk of her hand, a jade ornament on her unsuspecting victim’s belt is divested.

Mistress Henglan’s pouch bulges with loot. She’s being greedy, true to nature. Someone whispers in her ear, a sandy-haired man in a brown robe. As Mistress Henglan smiles, the man shuffles closer—oblivious as she steals his purse with another flick of her blade. When Mistress Henglan turns from the man, in search of other prey, he grabs her hand.

“Let me go,” she says sharply.

His smile oozes grease. “You liked my company a moment ago. Why act shy now?”

While she’s distracted, I edge toward her. Just behind, I reach for her pouch, but she swings around, staring at me—the shock in her eyes giving way to fury.

I snatch at the pouch again, but she recovers swiftly to seize my arm, her nails digging into my flesh. She smiles broadly like I’m a long-lost acquaintance as she pulls me to the side of the hall, behind a pillar. I don’t struggle or shout; we both know the cost of making a scene when surrounded by guards.

“How did you get here?” Mistress Henglan demands, her voice guttural with menace.

I wrench free of her grip, the memory of Little Dragon’s death haunting me still. I’ll never forgive her for killing it, for all she’s done. “Give back my ring and I’ll leave. You can keep everything you’ve stolen. I won’t say a word.”

“How generous,” she sneers, yet her eyes flick uneasily toward the soldiers. “Where did you steal your dress from?”

“It was a gift,” I reply shortly.

“What did you promise in exchange for it?” Her tone thickens with insinuation.

“Nothing. Not everyone is like you.”

She raises her hand as though to slap me; she’s done so countless times before. But then she drops her arm, glancing at the crowd around us. We’re speaking in hushed voices so no one pays us any attention, but a brawl would draw them like flies to carrion.

“Don’t make it worse for yourself. Go home, wait for me.”

“No.” Sweat breaks out over my body. I’m not used to defying her this way; years of enforced respect and obedience are a heavy cloak to shed. It would be dangerous to provoke a confrontation here, safer to persuade her, hoping her greed is greater than her spite. “Step-Aunt, you’ve amassed a fortune tonight. You can go anywhere, free of all burdens, including me.”

As her eyes fall to her pouch, I continue quietly like she’s a belligerent customer I’m trying to appease. “My ring is worthless, as you’ve said—of no use to you.”

She shakes her head. “I saw what happened by the pond. The fish is an evil spirit.”

I frown. “Step-Aunt, did you drink any wine before you found me? Are you sure of what you saw or heard?” I’m sowing doubt, trying to confuse her.

“The ring glowed, as did those flowers by the pond.”

“It must have been the moonlight. Those flowers only bloom at night, that’s why they appear unfamiliar.” My lies gain confidence, ringing with sincerity. “Look at the ring. You can’t even get a copper coin for it.”

“Then why do you want it?” she asks with her usual shrewdness.

Because I’ll die without it. “Because it’s the only thing left from the parents I’ve lost,” I say instead. “Give it back to me, Step-Aunt. After tonight, you’ll have enough money—”

She cuts me off with a swipe of her hand. “I won’t let you leave. Family stays together.”