by Eve Langlais
“You are most harsh with your assessment, and I am sorely wounded.” He clutched his chest, hand on his cloak, his features mostly hidden by his hood, and yet she didn’t need to see to know he teased.
“I highly doubt that.”
“Are you calling my words into question?” He drawled the query in a soft purr that rippled over her.
“You’re tricky with your speech. Is that how you conned people into following you and bowing while chanting ‘Your Highness?’”
“They say it because they like it. Like me apparently. Maybe you should give it a go.”
“Don’t expect me to start kissing your ego and scraping in your presence,” she said hotly.
“The only reason you’d ever voluntarily call me ‘Your Highness’ in a way that doesn’t sound sarcastic would be to throw me off so I don’t expect the knife you stab me with.”
He was learning.
“I don’t believe in titles.”
“So I’m beginning to see. We should probably conduct our business before the classes let out.” He ducked his head, and his face changed back to that of the stranger.
“Conduct what? Are you not done showing off?” She put her hands on her hips. “Look at me, such a radioactive king, offering free school for everyone. What’s next? Does everyone get their own hover scooter?”
“That’s not a bad idea.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“I know. I wasn’t. And we’re not here that you might experience firsthand my epic-ness as king, but to meet Liandra.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re letting her work with children?”
“Turns out she is perfectly suited.”
He knocked on a door, and a woman—not exactly young and definitely heading into her gray years—stopped her lecture and joined them in the hall. “Can I help you?” She tucked her hands in front of her, a small smile on her face.
It took Casey a moment to realize the woman wouldn’t recognize the king in disguise. “Are you Liandra?”
“Yes.”
“We have some questions to ask. About your reason for being in Eden.” Casey blurted it out without any preamble.
“To teach, of course.” Liandra’s vacuous smile held nothing but good intentions.
Casey moved closer, crowding her space. “I mean the real reason. I know about the bounty.”
A line wrinkled Liandra’s brow. “I’m sorry. What bounty?”
“The one on the princess. Who hired you to kidnap her?”
The woman either feigned shock well or she told the truth as she said, “Who’s tried to kidnap the princess? That’s awful.”
A few more minutes of questioning and Casey finally understood just how thorough the wiping of Liandra’s mind proved to be. She’d never met a more pure, sweet, and selfless person. She’d never met anyone with so little personality either.
Leaving Liandra, Casey practically ran out of the school. She waited until they’d moved away to hiss, “What did you do? That woman is almost catatonic.”
“She thinks and feels quite well actually.”
“I meant catatonic as in boring. She is so inoffensive it’s annoying. Exactly what did you do to her? It’s like she’s missing part of her mind.”
“She has all her mind, just not all her memories.” He grimaced, and it was a good thing he had the cloak, because his disguise wavered.
Casey pulled him into an alley between the buildings. “Explain. How does this power of yours work? What exactly did you do?”
He leaned against the wall, and his hood slipped back enough that he stared at her straight on. His voice was monotone as he spoke. “In Liandra’s case, I started out digging for information. After all, she laid hands on my daughter. My baby Charlie.” He shrugged. “I stripped every bit of information I could from her head, and then some.”
“That’s what made her so placid?”
“No, it’s the fact I took parts of her out.”
“Why?” She couldn’t help her horrified whisper.
“Because I saw everything.” He gazed at her. “I was inside her, peeking into places she liked to hide behind a filthy mouth. I saw the acts in her life that shaped Liandra into someone who would abduct a small child for money. She wasn’t a nice person. She was a killer. A thief. Even a seller of the young. She did so many horrible things.”
“Then why not kill her?”
“Because, at the root of it all, she couldn’t be any other way. Not with everything she’d experienced. So I burned away all her pain and anger at her upbringing. I eradicated her greed and coveting of others. I removed all the things that made her choose less than wisely until all that remained were the good parts.”
“You call that the good parts?” She arched a brow.
He shrugged, his expression sheepish. “Turns out there weren’t that many once I was done.”
“Will she always be that simple?”
“No. Because she is going to experience things that will shape her anew.”
“Meaning she could end up being some psycho child kidnapper again.”
“Yes.”
“And yet knowing it might fail, you still did it and set her loose?” She shook her head. “That was foolish.”
“Some would call me compassionate.”
She snorted. “I wouldn’t go that far. You scrambled her brains.”
“When I started, I didn’t realize how much it would take.”
“To what? Completely annihilate her will? Her sense of identity?”
“She went after my daughter.” His voice was cold.
“Then you should have killed her.”
“Because death is less cruel?” He eyed her. “Tell me, do you really think my turning a woman who’s been relying on petty crime her entire life, crime which started because of abuse, and creating someone caring who can make a difference in a child’s life is a bad thing?”
“You’re trying to make it sound as if you did her a favor.”
“Didn’t I? Liandra’s life was a series of awful events. Once I removed the memories of them, she changed. Became the person she could have been.”
“According to you. Experiences shape us. Good or bad. You can’t wipe everyone. Nor should you.”
“But it’s okay to kill them? Because the way I hear it, you’re not one to leave problems alive.”
Her lips flattened. Titan blabbing again. Never mind his statement had merit. Killing was quick and clean. She couldn’t stop her distaste for what Roark could do inside people’s heads. “Dead people can’t betray you.”
“On that we can both agree.” He tugged the hood over his head.
“Just so you know, touch what’s in here”—she tapped her temple—“and you’ll wish you’d died.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Unless you betray me.”
“Here’s to hoping you never do something to deserve my knife across your throat.”
Chapter 6
As they wound their way back to the castle, Roark couldn’t help but glance over at Casey. She walked with utter confidence, a swagger in her lithe hips. Enough shimmy that her braided hair bounced down her back.
A smart woman, talking with her meant exposing parts of himself he usually kept hidden. Explaining why he was king. Revealing the secret of what he could do. At least part of it. But he didn’t feel as if he were getting to know her, and he doubted she’d tell him anything even if he asked.
Her arm shot out and slammed into his chest with more strength than he’d have expected, causing him to stumble.
“What?”
“I saw something.”
“You might want to be a little more verbose. Can’t read your mind, you know.” The tease fell off his tongue, and he almost choked. He never joked about his power.
Yet it must have been the right answer because she almost had a smile. “I think I saw your cat go that way.”
“Sachi?” He frowned. “She doesn’t usually leave the castle.”
“Because yo
u totally follow her around all day and know exactly what she’s doing.”
He pursed his lips. “Fine, it could be her wandering the streets. What of it?”
“I am pretty sure she wants us to follow.”
“She’s a cat. She’s probably hoping you have some food.” Never mind the fact she’d saved his life a few times and calmed him countless others. To attribute anything more was… What exactly?
“Aren’t you curious about where she’s going?”
“Not really.”
“Haven has a cat. Wiliest creature you’ve ever seen. Uncanny sense for danger, and better at finding stuff than Dottie.”
“Dottie being?”
“Not the point of the story.” Casey went down a narrow alley, and he found himself following. “Just that your cat is rather interesting.”
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to hear it.”
They emerged from the alley into a courtyard. A fountain in the center of it spouted water, the drops rising in the air and then falling like rain to hit the basin.
Roark caught sight of his cat across the square, tail raised, obviously waiting. Casey spotted her and began moving; whereas, he suddenly got caught in a vivid reminder of the past.
This was where it had happened. The day that shaped him.
Fingers snapped in front of his face. “You in there?”
His gaze focused on Casey. “We need to leave.”
“Why?” She thought there was a threat and scanned the space around them.
It would be ironic if violence struck him twice in this place. “Because it’s where Charlie’s mother died.” That was enough to stifle any smart rebuke by Casey.
When he moved, she followed, her decision to trail the cat forgotten. Then again, he had a feeling Sachi did it on purpose. The kitten was the only reason he’d lived that day. He’d left her in his bed, and yet she must have followed him to the square. Hearing her meow, he’d bent to scoop her up, meaning the arrow meant for his chest missed.
Not long after, the killing started.
They were a block from the castle when she asked suddenly, “Did you pay for all the rebuilding?”
“Some. I can’t foot the cost of everything but provide help where I can.”
“Did you ever think Eden would become this big?”
“No. And there are days I wonder if the growth will ever stop.” All he’d wanted was a safe place to call his own. When violence came knocking, he’d tripled down on that desire.
“Do you vet everyone who comes in?”
He shook his head. “I can’t anymore. Dozens of people come in and out of the city every day. The days where I knew everyone by name are long gone.”
“They all know you.”
“Well, someone did say I was a tyrant.”
Again, she almost smiled.
Since she said nothing, he said, “Do you prefer Haven where everyone knows your name?”
“Actually, I like this more than I expected.” She gestured. “There’s so much to explore. To try.”
“Speaking of trying…” He grabbed her hand and yanked her.
He should have known better to lay hands on her. She snapped free and punched his arm, hard enough that his fingers went numb.
The knife was out a moment later. “Touch me again and I’ll gut you!”
“Calm down. I was trying to show you something I think you’ll like.” They entered a store with shelves holding rows of jaws.
Her eyes widened. “What is this place?”
“Candy shop.”
“Meaning?”
Roark pulled down his hood, and a slim woman behind the counter clapped her hands and beamed. “Your Highness. You do me much honor.”
“It’s you who spoil me. That last box of treats you sent was so good I almost didn’t share with Charlie.”
“Then next time I’ll send two.” The woman had a boisterous laugh despite her slight frame.
“Casey, I’d like you to meet Jennoya. The finest candy maker you will ever meet.”
“Such a flirt.” Jennoya waved a hand. “And just in time, too. I made your favorite just this morning.”
“I’m going to need at least four pieces.”
Jennoya eyed Casey. “I’m thinking six.”
The woman left for a room out back, and Casey frowned at him. “You’re using your position to get candy.”
“The best candy,” he corrected. “And don’t you worry. Jennoya is happy to do it.”
“More than happy,” the woman herself said, emerging with a tray upon which sat a plate and a box. “His Majesty is the one who renovated this building for me and provides guards when my wares are being shipped to Port City.”
“And in exchange, I get treats.” He held out a chocolate-covered piece of bacon.
Knowing what to expect, he made sure to keep his mouth closed lest he drool chocolate and half-chewed meat. He still went slightly slack jawed when Casey’s eyes fluttered shut, her head tilted back, and she uttered the moan of all moans.
When she finally regarded him, she said, “Stop staring.”
“Nope. Want another piece?” He dangled it as Jennoya left them alone.
Casey eyed it. “You’re doing this on purpose to give me a foodgasm again, aren’t you?”
Damned right he did. And he watched as she ate four of those six pieces.
Each moan making him harder.
He was in so much trouble.
Chapter 7
Exiting the shop, sated beyond belief, Casey was feeling rather kind toward the king. “Where to next? Any other prisoners we can speak with?”
“Unfortunately, no. The rest were sentenced to the arena and died.”
“Executed them yourself?”
He shook his head. “Didn’t have to. I had more than a few volunteers to enter the ring with them and pass on the sentencing.”
“Because they love their king.”
“And again I’ll ask, why is that such a bad thing?”
It wasn’t, which might be why she didn’t reply or say much else on their way back to the castle. When they separated, she spent an hour exploring and familiarizing herself with it before tracking down Titan.
She found him in a two-story building off the courtyard, the space strung with wires that dangled molds of all things. A forge sat on the far wall, the heat of it flushing the skin. In front of it a long, scarred table made of stone and on it bits and pieces of machines.
Riella was bent over it while a robot wheeled around beside her, its arms equipped with tools.
“Casey!” Titan waved, standing from a table where he was working on something with Charlotte.
She moved closer, curious. They were playing with wires and metal parts of their own.
“What’s that?” she asked, pointing to a small disc.
Charlie grabbed it and grinned, the gap-toothed smile innocent and wicked all at once. “Titan helped me make it. It’s a zapper, so when Xarek pulls my braid again. Bzzzt!” She jiggled her arm.
Casey arched her brow at Titan. “Really?”
“Better than slicing off parts.”
“Less messy, too,” Charlie added.
Riella approached, cheek smudged with dark metal dust. “How are you liking the city?”
More than she expected. She kept it nonchalant and shrugged. “It’s all right.”
“Glad you came to get her because I wanted you to see the cool thing Riella made Charlie. Show her.”
The little girl held out her wrist, displaying a metal bracelet.
“Pretty?” Casey said it almost questioningly, and Riella smirked.
“Practical, too, but I’ll let Titan tell you while Charlie and I dip her buzzer in polymer to make it more durable.”
Once they stepped away, Titan murmured, “The bracelet has a tracker in it similar to the one Alfred had.”
“Alfred being who?” she asked.
“The robot. I forgot you haven’t met him yet. Alfred, say hi to
Casey.”
“I’m not a trained pet who repeats things after you,” was the snooty reply.
“And that’s Alfred. Anyhow, the tracker in Charlie’s bracelet will emit a signal that can be picked up unless she’s too far or there’s some nasty interference.”
“Implying you think I’m going to lose Charlie.”
“Guarding against the possibility. She’s a good kid,” he said softly.
“Even if she weren’t, she’s a child, and I will protect her.” But in order to do that, she really should find out what the princess was capable of.
After a quick lunch, Casey brought Charlie to the rooftop of a tower. Not the one with the bedrooms but another that gave them an interesting view over the sprawling city and even a glimpse of the marsh. Green and purple, even some browns, a bit of yellow, it stretched for miles, or so it seemed. Hard to tell given the thin, creeping fog.
“Why are we up here?” the princess asked.
Rather than replying, she tossed a knife. Charlotte’s eyes widened, but she lifted her hand and caught it. By the hilt.
Casey released a breath she didn’t realize she’d held. For some reason, she’d had a feeling Charlotte knew her way around weapons. She’d just passed her first test by not flinching.
“I want to see how good your lessons have been.”
Apparently, they were quite excellent. Despite her age and size, the girl acquitted herself well, staying low, good at evading.
Only once the princess was panting did Casey call a break. She threw herself on the parapet floor and stared up at the blue sky, hinting of mauve. Cloudless and dust free.
Charlotte joined her. “This is fun. More fun than boring books and lessons.”
“Wait, you missed your lessons? You should have told me you had classes.”
“I don’t at the moment. I’m not in school anymore.”
“How come?” she asked. Because Roark seemed intent on education.
“Papa says I’m to take my lessons in the castle for the next bit.”
“Because of the attacks.” Understandable. The school would have required too many upgrades to make it safe for the princess.
Charlotte nodded. “It’s okay. I can already read, and I like doing this more.”