“We don’t need you,” Marek said to Grevik. “You can go.”
Grevik glanced to Allyssa for confirmation. “He’s right,” she said. “They can sneak me in safely.”
He wrapped her in a hug. Mayra went rigid while Marek unsheathed his dagger.
“I don’t have much time,” Allyssa said, gently pushing away from him.
He nodded. “I understand, but tonight, I want an explanation.”
“Of course.”
Marek took hold of her elbow while Mayra stood on the other side of her. Together, the three of them approached a small entrance in the wall used solely by the soldiers living on the castle grounds.
The guard on duty immediately recognized Marek.
“I’m sorry this is a bit untoward,” Marek said, speaking quietly to the guard as if they shared a secret, “but my sister had an emergency. Surely you don’t mind if I escort her and the princess’s lady-in-waiting into the castle this way, do you?”
The guard hesitated. “Only soldiers are permitted to enter here.”
“I know,” Marek responded. “But my father, Neco, was sure you’d understand and grant his daughter entrance.”
“Yes, of course,” the guard said, opening the gate and allowing them in. “I won’t mention this to anyone. Enjoy your day, sir.”
Keeping her focus on the ground, Allyssa forced herself to walk at a normal pace as she passed the guard and stepped foot onto the grounds within the wall. Relief filled her—one major hurdle down. Now all she had to do was make it to her bedchamber.
“How did you leave your room without your guards knowing?” Marek quietly asked as they passed the barracks and neared the castle.
Allyssa didn’t want to tell him because he’d probably seal up the chute to prevent her from sneaking out again. However, she needed to get back into her bedchamber unseen, and that was the only way in besides the guarded doors. Sighing, she quickly told him how she’d been getting in and out.
Marek put his hand on the door latch and paused. “The laundry room will be too crowded at this hour.”
“I have an idea,” Mayra said. “Follow me.”
Marek pushed open the door, and the three of them entered the castle. Mayra led them down a dimly lit corridor. They passed by the kitchen, which was already filled with servants preparing trays of food and cooks tending to the ovens. A few sentries were up ahead so Allyssa ducked her head, staying behind Mayra, hoping they didn’t notice her. When the sentries recognized Marek, they didn’t even question them.
“In here,” Mayra said, opening the door to the wine cellar. “Wait here while I go and find a laundry basket for Allyssa to hide in. Then we’ll smuggle her into the laundry room and cause a distraction so she can locate the right chute and climb back up.”
“Why the wine cellar?” Allyssa asked.
Mayra chuckled. “No one respectable drinks this early in the morning, so there’s no reason for any of the servants to be in here. I’ll be back in five minutes.” She hurried from the room.
Marek started pacing back and forth in the small space. Each of the walls was lined floor to ceiling with bottles of wine, and the place smelled of sweet wood. Marek turned to Allyssa, about to say something, when the door flew open and Jarvik entered.
The squire froze with his hand still on the handle. “What’s going on?” he demanded, glancing back into the hallway and then stepping inside the wine cellar and closing the door behind him. “Why is the princess dressed like that, and why are the two of you in here alone?”
This was bad. Allyssa couldn’t believe Jarvik, of all people, found her here. “It’s none of your business,” she replied. “But since you’re going to run to Prince Odar to report my every move, you should know that I was outside running drills with Marek. Now tell me what you’re doing here in the castle’s wine cellar?”
Most likely, he hadn’t been following her because he seemed too stunned when he first walked in. She tilted her head to the side, waiting for his response.
“Prince Odar asked me to select a bottle for tonight. He wants to ask you to supper. Again.” His eyes scanned her body. “You don’t look as if you’ve been running drills. You’re not tired and sweaty.” He cocked his head to the side. “You’re dressed like a commoner, you have dirt smeared on your face, and your hair is a mess. I think you have some explaining to do.”
How could he have the audacity to speak to her in such a manner? She was about to yell at him when Marek stepped in front of her and faced Jarvik. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave, squire.”