by Dyan Chick
My knees gave way and Ethan eased me to the ground. I turned to him, not wanting to look at the gruesome scene anymore. Ethan cradled me in his arms, whispering words that should've brought me comfort.
Only right then all I could think of was blood everywhere and the dead, empty eyes of a female who had broken into the room I was alone taking a bath in. I'd had no weapon and I was completely unguarded.
My fear gave way to anger as I considered the events leading up to the attack. I'd followed Tristan in here blindly and he led me to this room and told me to take a bath. I'd been separated from my princes, cut off from my protectors and left alone and vulnerable. To top it all off, Cormac suspected that Tristan might try something.
I pushed away from Ethan and stood, wrapping the robe tighter around me. The bottom of the robe was soaking wet from the water of the tub, but the top was dry enough to at least give me some warmth.
Tristan and Cormac were in the corner standing over the body. Cormac leaned down and seemed to be checking the dead Fae for any identifying markers. Tristan straightened and turned toward me as I approached. "Did she hurt you, Cassia?"
Jaw tense, I marched over to him and slapped him across the face.
He touched his hand to his cheek and stared down at me in disbelief. "What was that for?"
"Was that you're doing?" I pointed to the dead Fae covered in her own blood. "Did you set me up? Is there some reason you want me dead?"
Color drained from Tristan's face and he shook his head slowly. "How could you think that of me? Everything I've done has been to help you." He turned and glared at Cormac. "This is your doing, isn't it? I try to help, and you poison her against me."
"How did she know that Cassia would be in here alone?" Cormac asked.
"Don't you think that if I wanted Cassia dead I would've done it myself on the first night while she slept in my palace?" Tristan asked. "You know me well enough to know that I handle my own dirty work. I don't pawn it off on others."
His words sent a shiver of guilt through me followed by shame for the accusation. He was right, he could've killed me easily many times.
Cormac leaned down and touched one of the buttons on the assassin's jacket, then he stood. "You're right, Tristan. I apologize."
Two soldiers walked into the room, then raced past me when they saw the body on the floor. They stopped in front of Tristan and bowed. One of them pointed his drawn sword toward the fallen figure. "How did she get in? We have guard station on every entrance!"
"She came in through the window," I said, pointing toward the curtains blowing in the icy winter breeze.
"That's impossible, all the windows are sealed," the soldier said.
"Then we have a traitor," Tristan said. "I need to meet with the captain of the guard. The rest of the house needs to be in lock down. Nobody move that body. Nobody in or out of this room, you got that?"
The two guards nodded. "Yes, Your Grace."
Tristan took a couple of steps toward me and paused to look me up and down. "You hurt?"
Shook my head, too embarrassed to speak.
"Good." Tristan walked away from me, followed by Cormac and Dane.
The look of betrayal in his expression made my heart feel like part of it had just shattered.
Deep down, I knew Tristan didn't want to hurt me. And all the questions I had about which side of his personality was authentic, seem to be growing into sharper focus. I wondered how much the cocky playboy was a mask to prevent him from being hurt again. Much in the same way that Cormac didn't let anyone get close, Tristan didn't want anyone to know deep down, he was brave, caring, and loyal. My lower lip trembled and I fought back against the tears. I made a mistake and I wasn't sure I'd be able to fix it.
Chapter Ten
"Cormac and Dane are going to keep a very close eye on Tristan," Ethan said. "I'll stay with you."
I was glad for his company, but it didn't help to ease the guilty feeling about Tristan. "This wasn't Tristan's doing, was it?"
Ethan hesitated and I turned to look at him, curious about his expression. His lips were pursed and he looked like he was considering his words carefully. "I'm not sure. But I tend to give the benefit of the doubt and in the past, it's gotten me in trouble."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"When you look for the good in others, you'll find it. When you look for the bad, you'll find it. We're all a mixture of both. It's simply a matter of how you choose to act on your impulses."
"Are you saying you look for the good and ignore the bad?" I asked.
He shrugged. "I have on occasion."
"Whereas Cormac seems to look for the bad," I said. There was something sad about that, always looking at others as if they were going to let you down. Constantly waiting for them to betray you. I had trouble trusting, but not to that extreme. On the other hand, Ethan seemed to exist in a too perfect world, ignoring the fact that there were too many who could turn on you in favor of their own agendas.
"He didn't used to," Ethan said. "Cormac has a talent for reading creatures: animals and Fae alike. He used to be more even in his assessments. As time passes, he seems to err on the side of the bad rather than give someone a second chance."
"Because of what Tristan did?" I asked.
He shook his head. "He'd probably have forgiven Tristan if it weren't for Angela."
I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to get any more of that story. I'd been told before that it was Cormac's to tell and there was no way he was going to share that with me.
A gust of wind blew in through the still open window and I shivered. Pulling the robe tighter around me I realized I never thanked Ethan for being so thoughtful. If it had been up to Dane or Cormac or even Tristan to pull me out of the tub, I knew I'd still be naked. "Thank you," I tugged on the robe, "for pulling me out of the water and then keeping me warm."
"You're not warm anymore," Ethan said. "Come on, I'm sure we can find you something dry to wear in this place."
I tugged the robe tighter around me as I followed Ethan out of the room. Once in the hallway outside, I stopped walking and looked back at the still open window. "Should we close that?"
Ethan crossed in front of me and walked back into the room, passing the body of the fallen Fae, to the window. After he closed the glass pane, I heard a snap as a latch must have slid into place but I wasn't watching him. I was fixated on the dead Fae. "Why did they leave her there? Shouldn't they do something?"
"Tristan likely called his lead guard who will want to see the scene untouched," Ethan said. "I imagine they'll be here any minute."
Something shiny caught the light and I walked over to my assailant, stopping at her feet. The buttons on her coat were gold and glinted in the warm glow of the hanging candelabra. I knelt down and lightly touched one of them. "These are made with real gold."
Ethan joined me, kneeling at my side. He reached out and touched the button. "They are. That's unusual for anyone in the Winter Court. They don't use gold as it's associated with the Summer Court."
I tugged at the button and pulled it from her jacket, lifting it closer to my face. A pattern of flowers circled the round object. I handed it to Ethan. "Flowers."
He narrowed his eyes as he studied the button. "That's definitely not Winter Court."
I glanced up at the bloody neck of the female and instantly regretted it as bile rose into my throat. Quickly, I stood and backed away, turning toward the door.
As I arrived back at the door, Tristan and two guards met me in the hallway. Tristan frowned when he saw me. "You shouldn't be here." He looked over at the guard on his right. "Take her to one of the guest rooms, find her something suitable to wear."
"Wait." I wanted to tell Tristan I was sorry. The words seemed right on the edge of my tongue as I stared at his icy expression. His jaw tightened and I looked down, unable to meet his eyes.
"Just go, Cassia," he said.
I looked back up at him, my eyes finding his and wordlessly, I tried to
let him know I regretted my actions. I still couldn't say it out loud, but I held up the button.
He took hold of the shiny gold object and studied it. "Where did you find this?"
"It was on the jacket," Ethan said before I could inject. "Solid gold and a floral design."
"That's not Winter Court," the guard on Tristan's left said, taking the button from Tristan.
"No, it's not," Tristan said, looking back at me. "And Cormac already informed me he'd found it. Maybe if you use some of those Autumn Court hunter qualities you'd find the pieces you needed to answer your own questions instead of making hurtful accusations."
"I'm sorry," the words came out in a whisper, guilt weighing on me like a sack of grain sitting on my chest. "I-"
Tristan held up a hand to stop me. "You should go, Cassia. We have a lot of work to do."
"If you please, Lady," the guard on the right said.
I looked at him and noticed he had a much smaller stature than Tristan or any of the princes and his skin had a slight blue tint. Was he a Brownie? Had the things Tristan told me about equality in the Winter Court been true?
"Ethan, I could use your help," Tristan said. "Cassia will be safe with Julian."
"Go ahead, Cassia," Ethan said. "I'll find you soon."
I tried to meet Tristan's eye once more before I left but he was avoiding meeting my gaze. My shoulders sank and I reluctantly walked over to Julian. Without a word, he began walking down the hall and I followed, forcing myself not to turn back to look at the Winter Prince I'd hurt so badly.
We walked silently down the carpeted hall. It was less adorned than the small palace. If not for the guards, I wouldn't even think this was a royal residence. "Where are we?"
Julian didn't respond. I sighed, unsure if it was an order to ignore me or if he hadn't heard me. With the way things were going today, either could be possible.
The hallway we were walking down was incredibly long, lined with doors on either side. I counted and added in the few doors we'd already passed. There were ten doors on either side. What kind of place would need so many small, closed off rooms?
A female scream sounded a few doors away from us and I froze, looking up at Julian for an explanation. Was there another attack? Terrified, I moved up against the wall as Julian pulled his sword from its sheath on his belt.
A door three doors away from us opened and a female holding a bed sheet over her ran into the hallway. Behind her, what appeared to be a naked Orc ran into the hallway behind her.
The female ran to Julian and ducked behind him. "I told him I don't do that."
The Orc straightened, rising to his full height, head nearly touching the ceiling. "I don't come here to be disrespected."
Julian approached the Orc and the scared female moved against the wall next to me. She grabbed hold of my arm and cowered behind me. "Don't let him near me."
I glared at the Orc, furious at him for whatever he'd done to her. Then, I turned to the female and smoothed her white-blonde hair with my hand. "Shhh, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere."
She burrowed her face into my arm and sobbed gently.
"What did you do?" I screamed at the Orc.
Julian looked back at me. "Leave it, My Lady."
The female pressed against me sniffed and looked up at me, her eyes rimmed in red from tears. "Lady?"
I ignored her question and turned back to the scene between Julian and the Orc.
"You have two minutes to gather your things and leave," Julian said. "You're no longer welcome here."
"No. I paid for a whole night. I'm not going anywhere." The Orc snarled, balling his frying-pan sized hands into fists.
My eyes widened. There was no way Julian would be able to take on this Orc. I watched in surprise as Julian lifted his sword, prepared to battle the massive creature. Julian was much smaller than the princes I'd seen fight. And with this monster, I'd even be a little nervous for any of them.
The creature charged Julian and I turned away, not able to bare the sight of the naked Orc running down the hall. I'd take the dead Fae over a naked Orc any day.
The female next to me screamed again, a shrill sound that made me cover my ears. She clawed at my robe, grabbing fistfuls of fabric and holding tight. Her fear made me want to protect her and I fought against my own rising terror and held her in my arms, squeezing her so she'd feel supported.
Julian slashed his sword at the Orc and the creature roared but easily dodged the weapon. Then, he grabbed the sword, wrapping his meaty hand around the blade. Blood streamed from his hand, but he didn't seem to notice as he ripped the sword from Julian's grasp.
He tossed the sword aside. Julian stood frozen in front of the massive Orc, weaponless.
My heart thundered in my chest. This terrible naked Orc was after the scared female in my arms. The only thing that stood between us was a smaller than average guard.
The Orc lunged forward and grabbed hold of Julian with both of his hands, easily lifting him into the air. "I'm staying the night."
"No," Julian said defiantly. "You are leaving."
The Orc tossed his head back and laughed as Julian squirmed in his grip. Then, the Orc threw Julian down the hall, hard.
I heard the thump as Julian's body hit the ground five doors away from where the Orc was standing. He didn't move.
A mixture of fear and anger was making my blood boil. Tears threatened, but I wasn't going to let this monster win. That's when I felt it. The clawing inside. My magic wanted to come to play.
Chapter Eleven
The magic rising inside me was comforting now that I knew what it was. I still didn't know how to use it, but it was possible if I could create a white light again that I might be able to blind the orc running toward us long enough for us to escape. I reached for the magic feeling it pulse and grow and respond to my thoughts.
Behind me, the terrified female screamed again but this time it sounded so far away. The only thing I could see was the Orc charging down the hallway. I braced for impact as I encouraged my magic to spill forward, taking any form it wanted so long as it would prevent the beast in front of us from reaching us. I wanted to stay back, I wanted to be afraid, but I knew I had to try to help.
Just as the first light surged forth from me, I felt someone familiar pass by. In the blinding light, I could just make out Ethan's form as he ran toward the waiting Orc.
"Ethan, no!" The last thing I wanted was to see any of my princes get hurt. Especially Ethan. He'd already sacrificed so much for me and nearly lost his life once before. I wasn't sure I could handle seeing him barely clinging to life again. I turned, grabbing the shoulders of the female and moving my hands up to what I hoped was her face. "Run, go hide somewhere."
I could feel her nodding in my hands and she pulled away from me. I didn't wait to see where she went before I charged into the light blindly following the sounds of flesh against flesh as Ethan and the Orc engaged in what sounded to be hand-to-hand combat.
I need to see, I thought the words, forcing the meaning deep inside as I fought to gain control of the magic chaos I created. I slowed down, extending my fingers in front of me as I waited for the light to fade. Inside, I could now make out the shapes of the two figures. One, much larger than the other.
Not taking the time to consider my actions, I crept around behind the orc, then I jumped on him, wrapping my arms around his thick neck. The creature howled as I dug my fingernails into its shoulders to maintain my position on its sweaty back. A shiver ran through me as I tried not to think too hard about the disgusting beast I had my legs wrapped around.
The light was fading and I could now see in front of me. Momentarily confused, the Orc ignored Ethan, wobbling as it tried to free itself of me. Deciding I was the greater threat, the creature reached behind and swatted at me with his large frying pan sized hands.
I scrambled to the side, trying to avoid getting hit. The first swat missed me, but his other hand grabbed hold of my thigh and tugged. My finge
rnails bit further into its skin and the orc let out a howl as my nails scratched a line down his back as he pulled my leg free.
I dropped to the ground landing on my back with a thud. For a second, I couldn't breathe as spots danced in my vision. But I regained focus long enough to see Ethan turning the orc's head to the side farther than it should turn until a sickening crack echoed down the empty hallway.
The orc landed on the ground, his lifeless body nearly hitting me on his way down. I scrambled away just in time to avoid having the beast fall on me. Panting, I stared up at Ethan in surprise. I knew he was just as strong and capable as any of the other princes, but I never thought I'd see him kill in such a brutal way.
Without looking back at the fallen Orc, Ethan walked over to me, his brow furrowed in concern. He knelt down in front of me extending a hand toward me. I took it and let him pull me to sitting.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
I rubbed the back of my head where it had smacked the ground. It was sore, but my vision had cleared and I was able to breathe again. "I think so."
Ethan stroked my cheek. "You are something else, you know that? You stand by helplessly when someone breaks into your room yet the second someone else is in trouble, you act on instinct."
"I couldn't let anything happy to you," I said.
Ethan pressed his forehead to mine. "You won't get rid of me that easily."
Whispered voices filled the hallway and Ethan straightened, turning toward the sound. I looked around.
A couple of doors on the hallway were now cracked open and eyes were peering through to investigate the scene. I didn't realize there would be so many occupied doors in one of Tristan's homes. All the other places we'd been at seemed so vacant.
The white light I had created was completely gone now and I saw the orc lying dead on the ground. Five doors down was Julian, still unmoving.
"Is it over?" a female voice asked from behind me.
I turned around to see the face of the female who seem to be the cause of all of this. "It's over. What happened?"