"The king has a request," Sasha told Gabrielle, smiling gently at the woman.

Gabrielle wore a dark cloak, her red hair tied at her nape. Sasha had always found her beautiful. With her pale green eyes and freckles, she could make one think they were facing an angel. But they both knew that was a lie. Gabrielle could kill Sasha now if she wanted to, but Gabrielle would never stray from the orders given to her. She was not ordered here to kill Sasha or anyone.

One thing Sasha learned about Arielle was that the woman was mad. She would want to witness the killing herself.

The Soldier stared at Sasha, eyes bare of emotion. "Which king?"

"Reginald."

"He is not a king."

"He will be—again. And he has a request." Sasha took one step closer, knowing her husband would kill her if he learned she had been in the same room as a Soldier. "He wants you to work for him."

"I work for no one but Belcourt."

"I told him the same, but he is insistent. Do you wish to die in this ship, Gabrielle? You are outnumbered."

Gabrielle scoffed, a knowing smile on her lips. "You do not know that."

"I know," Sasha said with the same knowing smile. "We have been watching you for weeks. Our dear fried Rider Fairborne is eager to get his hands on you and we both know he is not the most charming."

A hint of fury glinted in Gabrielle's eyes before she blinked it away. "Then tell him to come to me. He's very much welcome to try."

Sasha shook her head. "The king wants to meet you."

Gabrielle remained quiet, the corner of her mouth curling in a snarl. "They have poisoned your mind, Sasha. Do you also hope they will achieve the same thing to me?"

She shrugged. "You can do whatever you wish after your talk with him. He has quite an interesting story to tell you."

"Is this about my brother? How you poisoned his mind?"

Sasha nodded, eyes never leaving Gabrielle's. "That and more, Gabrielle." She looked around the small cabin. "Be here tomorrow. The king will come alone, I promise."

"I cannot trust you."

"You should not. I can even say my husband should not trust me as much. He does not know I'm doing this."

"And you expect me to believe that? Everything you did was because of him. You betrayed us because of a man."

With a shake of her head, Sasha decided it was not important what Gabrielle believed. What mattered was what she would believe before they reached Sutherland. "Tomorrow, same time, Gabrielle. We'll understand if you do not show up."

*****

The Marquess of Rothsker. Esther scoffed. She had heard stories about the man—why he disappeared. There were too many that circulated the palace, none of them seemed plausible.

Had she ever met this man? No, she had not. She met Lady Renee, of course, the aunt.

"You share the same name with my aunt, do you know that?" Rothsker asked.

She did not reply. What did this man want from her? Was he part of the Circus? How did Emory meet him? When did her bloody brother start working with the Royal Circus?

He turned to her with a charming smile, one that would have surely made some women swoon. But not her. She was a princess, and she had seen too many men pulling this trick.

"I will be your company on this vacation," he said, motioning around the room. "Well, I am on vacation. I'm not so certain about you."

"I'm a prisoner."

"Ah, yes, of course." He shrugged. "But I am willing to share this humble manor. We have enough room." He tilted his head to the right. "Or would you rather share one with me?"

"You're a Royal."

His smile morphed into something different. Dangerous. Familiar. What was it? "In all sense, yes."

Her lips trembled as she forced a smile, hating that she was in a position with no power. "What do you intend to do to me?"

Again, he shrugged. "I'm not quite certain myself. The Royal Master only tells me what they want me to do. As of now, it is to keep you company." He eyed her for a few seconds before adding, "But I am certain you are here so the Circus can go on with their plans."

She let out a snort, then chuckled. "Am I that big of a threat to them?"

He laughed as well, but it was closer to mocking than mirth. "Oh, no, princess," he said, laughter dying in faint chuckles. "The Royal Master simply does not like unnecessary pawns."

She scowled, gritting her teeth.

"You are the piece on the board that gets in the way," he said, charming smile completely gone, then shook his head in pity. "You are not a threat, princess. You are the uncomfortable splinter between their toes."

Her nose flared, and she shot to her feet, ready to... to do what? This man could overpower her in a split second. And it was obvious he was not one she could seduce. She had tried that with Macmier and it landed her here.

"You stay here until we decide to return you to your palace." There was a finality in his voice and she sensed he would leave any moment.

"We have the same enemy. We can help each other. I can help you," she said, stopping him from turning away. "You cannot trust Emory. He is not capable, and he is—"

"We have enough help, princess." Rothsker took a step closer, hands deep in the pockets of his trousers. "I suggest you do not fight this. Stay here like a good discarded piece and wait for another round of the game."

He broke into a bigger smile when she just glared at him.

His dark blue eyes roamed over her face, amusement pasted there as if he knew what she was thinking. "Know that I will only tolerate three attempts of escape. Do not make it a habit while under my watch. Good night, princess."

*****

Ellise walked into the theater through the back door to find just half of the Royals in the room. Dior was in his usual seat, sitting quietly. Absent were her father, Oliver, Dior's father, and the others who were in Herst and those in other parts of Sutherland.

She was left with only two clusters in Coulway. Also present in the room was the Duke of Remington, Caroline's father, and the Duke of Whitton, Trent's father. Remington had to stay because of his close ties to the king and the House of Lords. He was their spy from within the king's circle. Whitton, on the other hand, was powerful within the House of Commons.

"Opera is open," she announced, standing in front of Blackwood's old desk. "The princess is now with Rothsker in a manor in Calbridge. She will stay there until the duration of this mission."

"The king is angry, understandably so," Remington informed them. "The Royal Watchers are on full alert and are dispersed all throughout Sutherland. We have to be careful."

"The crown prince will deal with the king," Dior spoke.

"It's not the king that's mobilizing the search," Remington explained. "It's the queen."

She smiled. "Of course, it's the queen. As expected from a mother. I want eyes on her," Ellise said. "Do we have enough men in Coulway?"

"No, but we have a few in Dockerly. We can pull them out of there," Lord Winthrop suggested.

"No. The Duchess of Eaton wants them to stay in Dockerly. Now that someone else may be running Belcourt, we have stronger reasons to keep them there."

"Dior's new neighbor is on her way to Herst," another Royal said. "She is with a Soldier."

"She's planning to rescue Leila," she said, shaking her head. "There are too many children playing this game."

"What do you want us to do?"

"Let her get to Leila."

"I disagree. I suggest we confine her as well."

"That will only make Belcourt send more Soldiers. Let the children play in Herst. We have enough men there to supervise."

"Shaw sent a note. The Leila has been visiting the cabin in Winfield," Dior said.

Ellise nodded. "Good. Tell him to go on with the friendly plan." The men looked uncomfortable with her orders and she could not blame them. All she could do now was explain her actions. "We are uncertain if Belcourt has indeed tried to kill Leila, or if this is part of their plan. We should not care about that. Whatever their goal is, the important thing is that they have less communication. And it gives us room to plant doubt. If Leila is a victim as she claims, we want her to be desperate enough to come back. If she is working with Belcourt, we want her to feel threatened enough to storm back into Belcourt and reclaim her throne. But we control when she comes inside."

"This is a child we are talking about, Darcy," Remington said, voice serious. "Are we truly doing this?"

"Ask Belcourt the same question once we are face to face with them, Your Grace," she said. "Why did they send out their children?" She looked around the room. "I know this is a difficult mission for most of you, but I hope you all see why we have to do this. There are other children inside Belcourt that could be used, gentlemen. Leila and this other girl heading toward Herst are not the last, nor the first. Sasha, my sister-in-law, and many others before them had to suffer the same thing."

She stepped forward, hands falling to her side. Her eyes landed on Whitton, then Remington. "I hope Esther's disappearance has provided you enough time to gather more supporters against the prime minister. But do not assassinate the man. It will only give us frightened allies instead of friends. Does anyone have any more questions?"

When no one said a word, she sighed with a bored look on her face. "Good luck, gentlemen. Opera is over."

*****

Ruby stared at the parcel wrapped in brown paper in front of her, her heart beating fast at the thought of where she was taking it.

For a moment, she wondered if she was doing the right thing, doubting herself again.

Sheridan looked at her from behind her table with a knowing smile. "Are you nervous?"

Ruby swallowed and scoffed, then tugged the corners of her mouth into her classic, charming smile. "Of course, not. Why would I be?"

The woman nodded, leaning back, elbows resting on the arms of her chair, hands folded in front of her. "Humbrick was fun, wasn't it?"

"I would say I had better Humbrick days," she said, rolling her eyes. "It is not as much fun with fewer friends."

"You mean your friend Jade, who is now the mistress of your court." Ruby refused to answer. "Did you enjoy Ellise St. Vincent's kiss?" Sheridan asked, voice taunting.

"It was nothing, Sherry. I have been kissed by women before," she easily lied.

"The things Belles suffer?"

"No, the things Belles can indulge in." Another lie. It was against Belcourt law. No woman was made for another.

Sheridan laughed. "Then you like Ellise St. Vincent."

This time, she answered truthfully. "No. The woman frightens me."

Sheridan shrugged. "Liar. I know you fear nothing. Otherwise, you would not be doing this."

She did not reply. Instead, she looked around the office, eyes stopping on a portrait. "Is that your uncle?"

"Yes," Sheridan replied, eyes still on her. "The one your dear Soldiers shot to his death. Do you know that his passion was writing? That's one reason I acquired the Sutherland Post. In his honor. He provided me everything when I had nothing. He was the only one I had."

The smile wavered on her lips, and she cleared her throat. "I'm sorry for your loss. I hope that someday you can get the justice you seek for."

"Oh, dear, I 'm not looking for justice." Sheridan shook her head as she spoke. "I know my uncle knew the risks when he joined the Circus." Smile growing gentle, she added, "I believe what he stood for and that's what I'm seeking as well."

Ruby nodded, wondering how much of Sheridan's words were also true. How many lies was the woman also hiding? "He used to write for the Sutherland Post. It was him who wrote on Reginald's efforts to free the women in Belcourt. I read old copies of the paper."

"And you believe them? For all you know, they were written to manipulate. That's one power printed words can bring," Sheridan said, looking at the parcel on the table.

"I also read transcripts from both Houses, how the former monarch tried to pass the law to exercise more power over Belcourt." She reached for the parcel and stood. "I'm more than capable, Sherry. I know where to find my facts."

"I never said you're not capable, Ruby."

She turned, then stopped when Sheridan spoke again. "I wonder what the Circus had against you before. You were forced to work with Robert Dior."

"You can always ask him."

"Dior does not tell me everything."

Ruby smiled bitterly, reminded of her old flower, Daniel Willoghby, and the secrets he uncovered. "Are you curious about me, Sherry?" she asked, turning halfway to shoot the woman a teasing smile. "Like how curious you were when Ellise St. Vincent kissed me?"

Sheridan laughed, eyes on hers. "Do not tempt me, Ruby. I easily give in to temptation."

Ruby shook her head, turned, and walked to the door with a smile. "Good day, Sherry."

*****

"That's a good smile," Dior said from across the room where he held a fireplace poker in naught but his breeches, his chest naked, the fine hairs glistening with sweat. His hair was tousled, far from its classic well-arranged upsweep.

She set aside the note he delivered earlier, the smile still on her lips. "We are set for Dockerly."

He poked the fire for a moment, not saying a word, before he crawled back into bed.

"We will travel to Calbridge to see if Rothsker is still alive. Then we shall move on to Dockerly to visit a friend."

"I can go alone," Dior said, eyes serious. "You do not have to leave Coulway."

"There is nothing to do here," she said. "And do you think our friend in Dockerly will speak with you? She is a retired Mistress. Should she desire a talk, it will have to be with a woman."

He glanced at the open note on the table. "Are you certain we have the right information?"

"Her name was on that ship ten years ago, and it was also there amongst the list of those who perished." She ran her fingers through his hair. "Yet she is alive."

He gathered her hand in his, squeezed. "I do not feel confident about this plan, Elle. She will have Soldiers surrounding her estate."

"Are you afraid to fight with a few Soldiers?"

"No, but I would be much more comfortable if we bring more men."

"You can stay here if you wish."

"And let you go alone?"

"Are you stopping me?"

He sighed. "No."

She slid down the mattress and lay on her side, facing him.

Dior slipped under the covers, wrapping an arm around her naked body and pulled her closer. "What are you thinking about now?"

She pressed closer. "Sometimes I think I am evil."

"That's why you are Darcy," he murmured against her forehead. "You are capable of difficult decisions."

Now that things were in motion, now that the waiting was over, she had more tough decisions to make.

"Stop thinking," he whispered, running his hand over her hips and waist, as if taking measure. "Rest."

"Are you fretful?"

"That we might be wrong? Yes. That Sasha could be wrong? Yes." He leaned back to look down at her, chin touching chest. "But I also worry that I may pick the wrong colors for anything. Or that I may have not locked the door and someone could come in and discover us naked. I also think about our mothers killing each other by now." She scoffed, and he pressed his smile against the corner of her mouth. "It is all right to worry, Elle."

"I do not like the feeling."

"The first step to becoming human."

"You are not so human yourself," she chuckled. "No man has your virility."

"Do not patronize me. I may just prove you right." He tightened his hold around her. "Sleep." And in her ear, he added, "I'll wake you in a while."

"How?" she asked, smiling in his chest.

His hand traveled to the small of her back, pulling her against his groin. "You will know," he whispered in her ear. "Sleep, Darcy. Monday is in a few hours."

Ellise closed her eyes, wrapping an arm around his waist. The worry was still there, but so was her desire to see this through. If Sasha's theory was right, then they had a much better chance against Belcourt. And she so wanted to win.