Midnight Jewel (The Glittering Court #2)(4)

“Not desperate?” he asked, voice unexpectedly wry for a holy man.

“Not without options. If I don’t see any, then I make my own. And no one forces me into anything.” My words came out with a bit more fire than I’d intended.

“I can believe that. I’d pity anyone who tried.” I could’ve sworn he was smiling in the depths of that hood. “Good luck to you, miss.” He opened the cathedral door and disappeared inside.

Cedric exhaled. “That could have gone a lot worse. I think he must’ve liked you.”

“They don’t like anything except their studies.”

“He couldn’t take his eyes off you,” he teased.

“You couldn’t even see his eyes! Now go memorize what I gave you. Don’t forget to burn it.”

Cedric answered with a nod and began descending the great stone steps. “See you in four days.”

I stayed where I was and looked down upon the city I’d be leaving behind. I’d come here to escape war, but I felt no loyalty. Learning to be a polished lady in some country manor was a delay in getting to Lonzo, but I was human. I wanted to sleep in a clean bed, instead of on a floor crowded with other refugees. I wanted three meals a day again. I wanted to be around books again.

“Four days.” I felt my lips creep into a smile. “Four days, and my new life begins.”





CHAPTER 2


I’D MEANT IT WHEN I TOLD CEDRIC I’D BE ON GOOD behavior. I wanted to be on good behavior. This opportunity meant too much for both me and Lonzo—I couldn’t afford to lose it. And despite all the violence and danger I’d seen in my life, discord wasn’t something I relished. I actually longed for order. For peace.

So, it was unfortunate when, six months into my stay with the Glittering Court, I found myself holding a blade to someone’s throat.

“Do you hear me?” I cried. “One more word—one more hint of this—and you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!”

My quarry, Clara Hayes, answered with a defiant smirk, though her eyes revealed uneasiness. It was hard to feel too cocky when you were pressed up against the side of a house with a knife’s point resting against your neck. Rain fell steadily around us, but I was too focused on her to care about my soaked hair and nightgown.

“The truth hurts, doesn’t it?” she spat.

“It’s not the truth, and you know it. You’re the one who made it up.”

“It sure sounds true.” Clara tried to shift, ever so slightly, but I kept her pinned in place. “Why else would he let a Sim into this house? I mean, one who’s not here to clean it. I guess I can’t blame you. He is terribly handsome. But I don’t think that excuse will hold when his father finds out about this.”

I kept my face still. I didn’t even blink, which was hard with water running into my eyes. Clara had been my bane since the day I’d arrived at Blue Spring Manor. As Cedric had predicted, some of the Glittering Court girls carried the same prejudice I’d met in the city. Honestly, though, I didn’t think Clara cared one way or another about my background. She was simply a bully. She wanted victims. I’d endured her pranks and taunts with stony resilience, but she’d crossed a line this week when she began spreading rumors that I’d earned my place here by sleeping with Cedric. It had struck too deeply, triggering memories of a time when I’d nearly been forced to trade my body for other favors.

You’re a coward, Mira. You have to learn to make tough choices.

“His father’s not going to find out,” I told Clara. “Especially since there’s nothing to find out.”

“Who do you think he’ll believe, you or me? Jasper hates that Cedric recruited you. And when this gets around to him . . . ? Well. There’s no way he’ll let you stay. It costs him a fortune to get us ready for Adoria. And it costs our suitors even more to pay our marriage fees. For that price, they expect beauty, charm, culture—and virtue.”

I leaned forward. “Beauty? You’re right. That is important. Here, Adoria, everywhere. I’d hate to see you lose yours.”

Her smile vanished. “W-what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means that if you don’t stop your lies and start telling everyone the truth, I will ruin you—your face, that is.” I slid the blade along her cheek for emphasis. “I will ruin any chance you have of ever getting a husband in Adoria or any other place. A ruined reputation just gets me kicked out. But a ruined face? That’ll pretty much turn away any suitor, rich or poor.”

She gaped. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“If you get me sent away, then what do I have to lose? All I’d have to do is slip into your bedroom with this one night and—” I made a slashing motion with my free hand.

“I’ll tell Mistress Masterson about this!”

“Good luck proving it.” I released her and backed away. “Now, did you get all of that? I know you have trouble with my accent sometimes.”

Clara’s response was to jerk open the kitchen door I’d dragged her through earlier and slam it as she stormed inside. But I’d seen her face. I’d scared her.

I took a deep breath and leaned against the house, surprised to find I was shaking. Had I really just threatened to cut up someone’s face over gossip? I had no intention of really following through with it, but even the bluff made me feel dirty.