The Herbwitch's Apprentice Ireen Chau (best life changing books txt) 📖

my fair share of stinging palms, though the way Ash spoke suggested that he had far more than a quick smack on the wrist. Ash ran his thumb over a faint white scar across his knuckles. That said more than enough.

“I became very good at piano,” he said, abruptly drawing away from the bookshelf. I suspected he didn’t want me to see his face. “Excellent, if I do say so myself, but I detest it. Isn’t that funny? I believe there is little point in mastering something if you end up hating it. Then the only reason you continue to do it is because you’re a master, and not because you’re truly passionate about it.”

“That makes sense,” I said. I certainly had never been a master at anything, but I knew Genevieve would not love drawing if she had been forced to do it.

Ash rearranged a few volumes, creating more racket than I thought necessary, and stuffed an etiquette book into the gap he had talked through. “I’m rambling, aren’t I?”

I didn’t want to push the topic. “Not at all,” I said. I bent down to wring out the mop, making a face as dirty, sudsy water drenched my sleeves. I should have rolled them up beforehand. “Do you reckon Mr. Northberry will be satisfied with our work?”

“Tired already?” I was glad to hear the teasing tone return to his voice.

“No,” I said. “Just hungry.”

“I’ll say,” Ash said. He emerged from the other side of the bookshelf, this time fully, and handed me his handkerchief. I glanced at the pristine fabric embroidered with gold thread. His initials gleamed at the corner.

I held up my hands which were dripping with mop water. “You can’t be serious.”

He rolled his eyes. “Take it. I have more than enough to spare.”

I reluctantly accepted and dried my hands. “I ought to go back. I can’t miss another luncheon or I’ll hurt Lord Strongfoot’s feelings.”

“I’ll see you back, then.”

I was going to protest, but he had already offered me his arm and didn’t look like he was going to retract it. We left our cleaning supplies for the servants to take care of and passed Mr. Northberry, who as usual, was snoring up a storm at the front desk.

The halls of the south wing were relatively empty, save for several passing maids who pretended not to gawk at us. I only hoped they wouldn’t start a rumor too atrocious. I probably looked ridiculous with my sleeves soaked through and skirts wrinkled at the arm of a prince, who at the moment didn’t look too princely either.

As I was going to withdraw my arm and declare I go my own way, a guard rushed past us with a tray of tea, the fine porcelain clattering together haphazardly. But the noise wasn’t the only thing that caught my attention. A faint wisp of cyan swirled from the spout of the teapot. I blinked, realizing that I had unconsciously reached for my crystal.

“Stop right there,” Ash said. His voice projected across the hall. The guard was in such a hurry that he was already on the other end, but his shoulders hunched at Ash’s command. He turned and trailed back at a considerably slower pace. I recognized him as the buggy-eyed guard Tori danced with at the Debutante Ball.

“Your Highness,” the man said with a bow. He kept his head lowered when he rose.

“What is your name and why are you not on patrol?”

“Peter, Your Highness. I was sent to deliver Her Majesty her tea.” He had a youthful voice, despite his large build. He couldn’t have been older than myself.

“Look at me when I address you, Peter.” Ash’s tone and words reminded me very much of someone else. I couldn’t put my finger on who, but it was clear he meant to intimidate. It was quite effective.

The guard raised his head, looking cowed. He was young indeed, and his round nose accentuated that, especially in comparison to Ash’s sharper features. “Who decided to send a guard to deliver the queen’s tea instead of a regular servant?”

“The head cook, Your Highness. There’s been a shortage of staff with the arrival of the debutantes, so I was told to do the job.” Peter provided this answer quite readily, but the tray shook. My hand itched to reach for my crystal again. Curiosity and wariness stirred in my gut. What was in that tea?

“There were several maids who passed a few moments ago,” I said.

“And you are?” Peter said. His tone held much less reverence than it had when addressing Ash. He stared a little too boldly for my comfort.

Ash stepped in front of me. “There were several maids who passed us who seemed to be at leisure,” he said. “We have four hundred staff members and a good many of them work in the kitchens. A shortage of staff is impossible, even with the debutantes. I will have to ask you what your tray contains and why you are in such a hurry.”

“It is merely the queen’s tea and biscuits, Your Highness. I’m afraid I will be punished if I don’t bring it to Her Majesty in a timely manner.”

“I assure you will not be,” Ash said. “Have they been through the taster?”

“Of course, Your Highness.”

I gripped my crystal and focused on the teapot. The cyan reappeared, this time brighter. Arsenic. I stifled my gasp. He was going to poison the queen! I stopped myself before I nudged Ash in warning. He already was suspicious of Peter. I hoped he wouldn’t be convinced otherwise.

“Then you will not mind having some,” Ash said. He clasped his hands behind him. They were clenched tight.

Peter flicked his buggy gaze around the hall before settling on the prince. “Your Highness, surely that would not be proper.”

“That was an order.”

I wasn’t prepared for the crash when Peter dropped the tray and dashed down the hall. Ash was after him immediately.

“Guards!” he bellowed as he ran. I was rooted to the floor as members of the