Page 26 of The Royal Art of Revenge

She tucks it into her pocket and steps to the side. “After you.”

“Thank you.” I slide across the backseat and set my bags by my feet. The unnamed woman gets in the front seat without a word and closes the door, then nods to the driver who returns the gesture and immediately indicates to pull away.

A heavy blanket of silence settles over the car, and the nausea I felt earlier returns tenfold. My stomach is almost rolling, and with each churning wave comes the urge to fidget or shuffle.

I can do neither.

I can’t show weakness right now, no matter how badly I want to throw up and breathe into a paper bag.

I have to conceal it. Keep it inside. Pretend that I’m completely fine, that I know what’s happening, that I’m not in totally uncharted territory right now.

I clear my throat and look at the stern woman in the front of the car. “Are you able to tell me where we’re going?”

She checks the shiny watch on her left wrist, pauses, then nods. “Yes, we’re close enough.” She turns, fixing me with her dark gaze. “We’re on the way to the Royal Palace.”

I freeze, and hopefully she buys my faux shock. “The—the Royal Palace?”

“Yes.” She returns her gaze forwards. “You will be taking portraits of a member of the Royal Family today. Unfortunately, I am not permitted to divulge their identity. For that, you’ll have to wait until we’re there.”

“Oh.” I clasp my hands in my lap. “Thank you. How long will it be until we arrive?”

She eyes me through the rearview mirror. “Not long. There are security protocols you’re required to go through on your arrival. Your bags will be checked, and a female member of the team will give you a quick pat down. It should have all been explained to you already, but I can recap it if you’d like.”

I nod. “It’s fine, I recall it from the emails. Thank you, though.”

“Very well.”

“When I get my phone back? Just in case I get calls from a client, that’s all.”

“You should be able to get it back once we’ve arrived and your clearance has been granted. As long as you make sure location services are turned off.”

“Oh, that’s fine. They’re always off.” I turn to look out of the window.

There’s no-one in my life who ever cares to know where I am.

CHAPTER SIX – HATTIE

The Royal Palace is one thousand times more intimidating than I recall.

Probably because as a child it was a place of magic and wonder. It was the home of fairytales, of ballgowns and dancing and tiaras and all the wonderous things one saw from the outside.

As an adult, I know what it really means.

Power. Corruption. Secrecy.

It’s a symbol and a threat, something to be both revered and feared.

The secrets that lie behind its walls are the kinds that many take to their graves, and it’s been that way for hundreds of years. Most have been forgotten by now, and the ghosts left behind are nothing but legends and whispers, saved by the fact that dead men tell no tales.

The car pulls up to some concealed gates, and we’re waved through by two armed policemen. My heart squeezes a little at the sight of their guns, but I tamper down the swirl of emotion.

I’m so close.

I can barely believe I’m here. Inside the grounds of the Royal Palace. The one place I never thought I’d be able to step foot in.

The one place my true name can be spoken outside of the prison I call a house.

I just need a miracle.