Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith

Author:Esme Symes-Smith [Symes-Smith, Esme]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2022-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Elowen’s waiting for me at the entrance to the Queen’s Quarters. Her eyes are bright; she’s excited to hear how it went, relieved to see me.

“How did it—” I grab her in a fierce hug, and there’s only one beat of hesitation before she returns it with a laugh. “You did it. I’m so glad.”

Every drip of joy makes me feel worse and worse, and I’m so shaken up, my legs hardly hold me. I don’t get spooked easily. I don’t let myself get intimidated, especially not by men just throwing their weight around. But Lord Peran’s something different.

“I—I messed up, El.”

“What do you mean?” She draws back with her hands still on my shoulders, smiling like everything’s great. “You’re here, aren’t you? You’re free.”

“Yeah, but…your dad. He knows you’ve been visiting me. Helping me. One of the councilmen knew and blabbed. I couldn’t lie in time and he’s angry, El. I-I’m sorry.”

She rests a hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, Callie.” If I didn’t know for a fact that that wasn’t true, I’d believe her. Elowen’s face is smooth and calm, like I’ve just told her that her dad was drinking coffee instead of tea. “Did the council adjourn?”

“Yeah. It wasn’t supposed to, but your dad just stormed out. I figured he was coming for you.”

Elowen laughs. “There’s no need for dramatics,” she says, like the last few days of extensive training just to persuade Lord Peran to let me out of my room haven’t happened. “Father’s very busy, and the council has a habit of running meetings too long. Still, I should go and speak to him. Make sure everything’s fine. You go in. I’ll find you later.”

Everything in my body screams this is a bad idea. “Elowen—”

“It’s fine,” she says brightly, stepping across the threshold into the main palace. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”

Elowen is the best liar I’ve ever met.

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