Free Unyielding (The Ashborne Trilogy Book 2) by Kat Lilynette Page B

her face in the form of a smile.
    “ You’re back. I mean- You look like you again.”
    I nodded and smiled.
    “I missed you!” she laughed. “What are we going to do about supper? I had been looking forward to this all day.”
    “ Don’t worry about it. I have something I need you to do for me.”
    “ What? We’re not eating together now?” She always reminded me of a puppy when she pouted.
    “ By now, my father’s probably already dined. They always prepare too much for his meals. I’m sure there’s more than enough left for the both of us. Just go and bring whatever you like. If they say anything, tell them they can take it up with me,” I said as we finished putting everything back on the tray.
    “ Oh! That’s a great idea! They always prepare such good stuff for the king.”
    “ Yep. You go ahead. I’ll prepare the table in my chambers for us. When you get back, we’ll talk. Oh, and I have a gift for you,” I smiled.
    She became noticeably excited. “Really?! What is it?”
    “I’ll show you when you get back. So you better hurry.”
    “ Oh, a surprise! I love it! I’ll be right back.” I felt good seeing the pep in her step as she started back toward the castle’s kitchen.
    “ Oh! Penelope! Bring a big thing of wine, too!” I yelled out to her.
    She turned and looked at me with a surprised and intrigued expression. It was rare that I ever had alcohol with my meals, and even more rare was Penelope getting to enjoy wine reserved for Ashborne royalty. I smiled and nodded slyly at her, letting her know I was absolutely serious.
    “This is going to be so much fun!” she said as she giggled and hurried off to fetch our meal.
    # # #
    After preparing the dining table in my chambers, I waited impatiently for Penelope to return. I was brimming with excitement and anticipation. Not only because of the meal we were about to have, but because, thanks to Penelope, I now knew how I was going to elude the Royal Guard and escape from Ashborne.
    As reluctant as I was to involve her in this, if everything went according to the plan I was beginning to formulate, no one would ever know she was involved, and as if by magic, I would vanish from this room under the very noses of the guards who were watching me. But first, I would have to tell Penelope everything, as she was going to be the key to all of it.
    It wasn’t long before I heard someone kicking on my door. The bastard guards outside weren’t even decent enough to help the poor girl open it. I walked over, opened the door, and greeted Penelope with a bright, loving smile.
    “ I’m back! And I got wine!” she giggled.
    “ It looks wonderful, Penelope.”
    I took the tray from her and told her to have a seat. “I’ll serve you tonight.”
    “Wow, you must be in a good mood,” she teased. “I’m so glad to see you acting like your old self again. I was so worried about you. I didn’t know what to do.”
    “ I know. I really am sorry for making you worry like that.” I poured her a glass of wine and prepared a plate of food for her.
    I wasn’t doing this because I was about to ask her for her help, well, not entirely. I truly wanted to express my gratitude toward her and apologize for how I had been treating her. This gesture of role-reversal would say what I knew I wouldn’t be able to put into words.
    “I can’t even remember the last time we drank together,” she said as she took a big gulp.
    “ Whoa, don’t drink too fast,” I laughed. “This stuff is quite a bit stronger than the watered down stuff in the tavern.”
    After serving Penelope, I served myself and sat down across from her. There was much to say, but for right now, I was just going to eat and drink with her. After all, this would probably be the last time I would get to do so. I didn’t know how she was going to react to everything I was about to tell and ask of her, but at least in this moment, I knew she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
    We laughed and joked as we