The Truth About Lies (An Inheritance Cycle Fanfiction)

Forgetting Him

"Yes, of course," he smirked. "How could I forget that the best dancing masters are found in the lower portion of the Spine? Especially amidst all that good lumber..." I could tell that he was trying to laugh, but all I wanted to do was crawl into a hole and hide forever.

"I, uh—"

"You thought I didn't realize it was you the moment you stepped around that curtain?" he whispered in my ear, pulling me closer to him. "Especially since your father called you by name? I could not have forgotten your face after our last meeting." I could tell I was blushing again and silently cursed my stupid tendencies.

"I'm sorry," I breathed quietly. What else could I say?

"It's all right. I understand why you had to lie to me." He glanced around us surreptitiously before jerking his head to the side. "Come on; let's go somewhere a bit more private so we can talk." I just nodded as he led me off the dance floor. When I glanced over my shoulder, I saw Murtagh watching us like a hawk while my father and brother were steeped in conversation. We hurried out onto the balcony off the ballroom that overlooked the entire city. It was a clear and warm night, and I breathed in the fragrant air. This balcony must have been situated right over the gardens. We leaned against the railing and just surveyed the beautiful night in silence for a moment.

Then I turned and saw him staring at me, a small smile upon his face. "I'm sorry," I said again, laughing a bit this time.

"It's all right, Tabatha—" He caught himself quickly. "Excuse me, Your Highness." I wanted very badly to punch him right on the arm, but figured that wouldn't be very ladylike. So I settled for a slap on the back of his hand instead.

"Tabatha will do," I admonished him playfully.

"Very well, Lady Tabatha." He smirked a bit because he knew it annoyed me, but I let it slide. "I understand why you lied to me in the first place. You would have been insane to reveal your true identity in that room where we first met. They would have skinned you alive. And for all you knew, I would have as well. That's absurd, of course, but you couldn't have known any better."

"I take it you're not terribly fond of the king?" I asked, knowing we were safe on this deserted balcony. The music floated across the night air from the bustling ballroom, but all I could see was him. The air seemed to be shimmering around me with light.

"Not in the least, no," he replied. "He's oppressive and cruel, not to mention a liar. It's obvious you weren't away studying for the past twelve years. Else why would you have been in Surda with the Varden?"

"Well, I wasn't—"

"You don't have to lie to me, Tabatha," he cut me off, laughing. "My family has been supporting them secretly for years. I assure you, your secret is safe with me."

"I wish I would have known that when we first met, that way I could have told you who I was." I took a step closer to him. "I didn't like having to lie to you."

"Well, I wouldn't have told you because I thought you were one of those nobles that were loyal to the king. I couldn't have been sure of your loyalties until I got you alone, which never happened, of course. So now is my chance to find out."

"I think you already know that answer," I quipped back, turning my shoulder slightly away from him.

"Still... I would like to hear it." He came closer to me and pulled off his beautiful mask, revealing his ruggedly handsome face. Then he put a hand on my bare shoulder and turned me back towards him, so I had no choice but to look him in the eye.

Taking a deep breath, I said, "I hate my father, for killing my mother and forcing me to come here. He is an evil man, as is my brother. I am nothing like them." My voice had risen slightly in anger and I could feel the heat coming to my cheeks. Hopefully, I wasn't blushing too badly.

He nodded slightly and then gave me a small smile, relaxing my mood a bit. "Good," he whispered, "now that's settled, we can work on a way to get you out of this hellacious place." My heart jumped a bit at his words.

"You'll help me?"

He nodded. "Even though I've never spoken to your father, it's not hard to guess what he wants to do with you. I know about the egg—"

"How?"

"I told you," he laughed quietly, "my family has been supporting the Varden for years. Who do you think told them about the tunnel into the castle? Without my father, they might never have stolen the blue egg in the first place." From this new revelation, I knew that I would be able to trust him. Something in his eyes assured me that he would not betray me.

"Very well," I said quietly, giving him a small smile. "Then we'll figure it out together." He inclined his head slightly, and then stared up at me with those blue eyes. He leaned forward a bit and brought a hand up to my cheek, stroking it gently with his thumb. Then his face came even closer. "What are you doing?" I asked.

"What I've wanted to do since the night we met, but never got a chance to." Then his lips brushed softly against mine and I felt the butterflies in my stomach fluttering around. But the moment didn't last long.

An agitated cough came from behind us and we split apart quickly. I turned to see Murtagh standing straight as a board, hands clasped behind his back and staring intently. My heart lurched forward in my chest, but there was no time for any explanation. After all, why did I even owe him one? There was nothing between us. Why shouldn't I move on and be happy with someone else?

"Your Highness," he said tersely, bowing stiffly at the waist, "your father requests that you rejoin the party." I nodded firmly and looked back at Evander apologetically. When I looked back to the glass double doors, Murtagh was gone, the only sign he'd ever been there the curtains swishing in his wake.