Man it feels good to be right.
My heart lifted that the Princess held her suspicions about Gothel. And she was trying to work it out too. I supposed it could be possible Gothel was outsourcing her powers.
“Rapunzel,” Zira sighed. “That’s a big accusation.”
“But what if it’s true?” Rapunzel pressed and I nodded, wishing I could storm in there and back her up.
“How could you possibly prove it?” Zira whispered.
Rapunzel fell quiet and I frowned.
I’ll prove it for you if it’s the last thing I do.
Rapunzel suddenly spun around and dropped her robe. My throat swelled and something else swelled too. She was in lingerie so fine I fought against a groan.
What am I doing?!
I couldn't look away. I forced my eyes up to her face and pure heaven stared back at me. I fell into the sea of her amber eyes. It was like the heart of the kingdom lived in there. And I was hit with a longing to claim it for my own.
No.
I ducked my head, cursing myself.
“Pink or yellow?” Zira changed the subject.
“Blue,” Rapunzel said and they fell into a conversation about dresses.
I clenched my jaw, hurrying back to the balcony and dragging myself over it.
I was still lost to the clutches of those eyes. My heart was beating harder than it ever had before.
I blinked firmly to try and force her body from my memory. But it remained, her caramel skin imprinted in my head, my instincts so hungry for it I bashed my palm into my forehead.
Now you're nothing but a peeping Tom, Cassian. Well done. Where's your honour now? Probably somewhere way down in the depths of hell waiting for my tainted soul.
I angled my thoughts to what I'd learned. If Rapunzel was right and Gothel was smuggling potions into the palace, that meant there was evidence no-doubt lying around in her quarters somewhere. Evidence of her breaking the law and using dark magic. Evidence that the Emperor was under her control because of some atrocious elixir. And the punishment for that was unspeakable.
A shout caught my ear and I moved to the edge of the balcony, spotting a huge man training in a pit of sand. His dark skin glinted with sweat under the sun, his shirt discarded at the edge of the square. He fought with a guard, tackling him to the ground and throwing fierce punches into his gut.
A maid stepped out from an awning erected beside it, clapping. “Lord Kalaviv, your lunch will go stale in this heat.”
My heart quickened as the Lord rose from the bloody body of his guard. This was the man who was facing Aladdin tomorrow.
He cracked his neck, dragging up the fallen man by the hand. “Again,” he snarled.
“But sire-” the maid called but he waved her off.
“I’ll stop when I say I’ll stop,” he said, rolling his shoulders as another of his guards stepped forward to fight him.
I chewed the inside of my cheek as I watched him bring another man to his knees in a matter of minutes. When the sand was speckled with blood, I turned and headed back to our chambers at a fast pace. A knot tightened in my gut as I realised I was sending Aladdin up against a Lord who’d clearly had a lifetime’s worth of training. And if he didn’t make it through the first fight, I’d be sent packing with him.
I needed more time. But if Aladdin was out of the running by tomorrow, the clock was already ticking.
I threw the doors open to Aladdin's room and found him spread eagled on the bed, butt naked.
Kyra padded after me and I turned to shield her from the sight but it was too late.
“Oh it's very small. Or very big? It's bigger than mine was. Remember mine?”
“Yes I remember.” I couldn't fight a laugh.
Aladdin sat upright, glaring at us both as he grabbed some pants and tugged them on. “It's big, Kyra. Get your sizes right.”
“Would you like it to be smaller? It must weigh you down,” Kyra said brightly and Aladdin's scowl quickly turned to amusement.
“You need to train,” I said, wanting to move on from the subject. And after what I’d seen of Kalaviv’s training, I needed to prepare Aladdin as well as I could for tomorrow.
Aladdin followed me into the large lounge bare-chested and looking more like his old self. He raised a dagger and I shook my head.
“No weapons,” I said, snatching it from him and tossing it onto the couch. Kyra moved to sit there, picking up the blade and watching us keenly.
“Each fight will start with a bow.” I pulled my shirt off, glad of the breeze flowing through the window as I dropped it to the floor. “Like this.” I placed one hand behind my back and dipped forward.
Aladdin mimicked me, a smirk on his face the whole time.
“Then take a fighting stance.” I placed my feet, my right forward and my left behind then lifted my fists.
Aladdin copied me.
“Straight back, chin high. Look your opponent in the eye,” I said. “It's a sign of respect.”
“Right.” He did as I said and I had to admit he did pick up my instructions fast.
“No biting, no scratching and for the love of all Osaria, do not kick him in the balls.”
Aladdin barked a laugh. “Noted.”
“There'll be an audience. The Princess will be watching. This is a chance to show her your skill, your ability to protect her as her husband.” My stomach squirmed uncomfortably at the mere idea of this thief claiming her. But he wouldn't win. Not against Kahn at least. And from what I’d seen of Kalaviv, it didn’t look likely that he’d beat him either. “I just saw Lord Kalaviv training out in the grounds,” I revealed and Aladdin’s brows lifted.
“And?”
“And he is a fierce opponent. Highly skilled with the strength of a soldier.”
Aladdin shrugged. “I’ve beaten worse.”
Frustration flashed through me. “Not by fighting with honor you haven't.”
“Fair point. So show me how to win with ‘honour’ -” he actually air-quoted it “-instead of wasting air.”
I blew out a huff of annoyance, knowing I had to keep my head right now. All I could do I was teach him as best as I could and hope it would be enough to buy us another day in the palace. From what I'd seen of his fighting skills back at the den, I reckoned he had a chance at winning so long as he did as I said.
“Come on then.” I beckoned him into a brawl and he came at me like a rabid dog.
He swung his fists wildly, landing two heavy punches before I rammed my own knuckles into his stomach. He wheezed, stumbling back before darting forward once more.
“Don't bruise my face,” he snapped as I narrowly avoided his chin. “I want to look my best tomorrow.”
“Fine,” I growled, throwing my shoulder into his and knocking him back a few steps. I landed a punch to his side and a sweet satisfaction filled me at taking out a little of my frustration on him. Knowing how much he wanted Rapunzel made me angry in a way I'd not known before. I refused to admit it was jealousy, but the searing discomfort in my chest told me otherwise.
We battled on, trying to knock each other to the ground.
He curled a leg around the backs of mine and I struggled to stay on my feet, locking my arm around his neck before we crashed to the floor. Kyra released a whoop of excitement.
Aladdin started choking me and I shook my head. “Not. Allowed,” I rasped and he released me.
I shoved him off of me and he rolled, slamming into the couch and Kyra dragged up her legs so that he didn't touch her.
“Wow you're really bad at this,” Kyra said to him. “Or are you good?”
“I'm good.” He sprang upright, charging me down with a cry of rage.
“Don't let your anger get the better of you.” I side-stepped and knocked him to the floor. “Keep your head in the match. Think out your moves.”
He stood upright then leapt toward me, landing a hard kick to my chest. I hit the floor again and released a chuckle. “Better.”
&nbs
p; We continued on until we'd both beaten each other in several rounds. He was a force to be reckoned with. But even if he somehow beat Kalaviv, Kahn would still beat him on size alone. I had no doubts about that.
You’re not winning this pageant, thief.
Aladdin dropped down onto the couch, panting as I poured us all a glass of chilled water left by the servants. He gulped it down and Kyra copied him.
“Where else did you go today?” Aladdin asked and I frowned.
“I went looking for Gothel. Are you keeping tabs on me?” I growled.
“I like to be aware of everything going on around me, Cassian. Don't forget that.”
I chewed on the inside of my cheek, shrugging as I turned away from him.
“So did you find out anything?” he asked and I sealed my lips. I still didn't trust him. And I certainly wasn't going to tell him exactly what I'd done today. It made me seem shady and I wasn't particularly proud of what I'd seen despite the dark thrill that was quietly burning in my chest because of it.
“No,” I said with a shrug.
I glanced at him and his expression told me he didn't buy it, but I was saved from his questions as a servant strolled in pushing a large dining cart.
Aladdin grinned, jumping to his feet and rushing forward. He snatched a hunk of bread into his hand and lifted it to his lips before thinking better of biting into it like a savage in front of the royal servant.
He eyed Aladdin curiously and the thief suddenly inspected the bread. “I want wholemeal.” He whacked the bread over the servant's head and my mouth fell open.
“Forgive me, sir, I'll have some wholemeal brought immediately.” The servant backed out of the room, bowing low.
I glared at Aladdin. How the hell was this guy supposed to pass as noble when he continually acted like an uncouth commoner?
He tore off a lump of bread and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing as crumbs flew everywhere.
“He looks like a hungry monkey,” Kyra said brightly.
“Yes,” I agreed as Aladdin stuffed more bread into his mouth in defiance. “Monkey boy has a lot to learn.”
I woke to the feeling of the mattress shifting beside me and I twisted around, grasping beneath my pillow for the dagger I’d stashed there.
Before I could locate it, my eyes fell on the figure in my bed and Kyra bit her lip as she looked at me. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as adrenaline trickled through my veins in response to being woken so abruptly. I couldn’t force my thoughts into line quickly enough to tear my gaze from her mouth and the curve of her full lips which seemed to beg to be kissed.
She was barely a foot away from me, laying on top of the silk sheets while I remained beneath them and her proximity was drawing a reaction from my flesh.
“Are you awake?” she whispered and I half wondered if she’d come here to offer her body to me but the look in her eyes wasn’t filled with lust, it was merely curious.
“I am now,” I murmured, my voice rough with lack of use.
“You need to get up soon for the fight.”
“Really?” I glanced over my shoulder towards the window which was letting in a cool breeze. It was still night and the brawl wasn’t until mid-morning.
“I’m not sure. Time doesn’t really mean much to me anymore,” she admitted.
I probably should have been annoyed at her for waking me but I couldn’t quite summon any anger at her as she stared at me with her wide, green eyes.
I shifted an inch closer to her then stopped myself. I’d never kept a promise to a woman I’d bedded before and I wasn’t sure if I should cross that line with someone who I had no intention of getting rid of. Besides, I wasn’t sure if she even desired anything like that in her current form. She certainly didn’t give me any indication that she found me attractive.
Which doesn’t piss me off at all.
“So did you have any other reason for waking me?” I asked, just to be sure.
Kyra rolled onto her stomach and twisted towards me, resting her chin on her fist as she looked down at me. Her black hair fell around her face before coiling to the sheets between us, almost brushing against my bare skin. A strange feeling filled the space that separated me from it, almost like heat radiated from her.
“I was sitting in the dark, waiting for the monsters to come... but they didn’t. And it was so, so quiet,” she whispered. “And after a while I started to wonder if any of this was real or if maybe it was just this beautiful dream sent to tell me that I really was insane. And I got this feeling, right here-” She tugged on the top of her dress, pulling the material down so that she could press her fingers against her heart.
My gaze lingered on her exposed flesh before trailing back up to her eyes which had suddenly filled with tears.
“-and I thought that maybe you weren’t real at all. And I was still all alone inside the lamp.” A tear spilled down her cheek, glimmering silver in the faint moonlight which filtered in from outside.
I reached out to brush it away and she recoiled, a look of fear in her eyes.
“I won’t hurt you,” I breathed, dropping my hand to the space between us again. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
Kyra smiled at me and the sight of it made warmth grow in my chest. I couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to be stuck alone inside that small space for so long.
“You promise?” she asked and I found myself nodding.
“You’re safe with me.”
She smiled hesitantly, blinking away the tears. “Can I stay here while you’re sleeping?”
“You wanna watch me sleep?” I teased.
“Yes,” she agreed eagerly. “Oh... apparently that’s weird,” she added as an afterthought, her brow furrowing.
“Well maybe I’m alright with weird.” I gave her half a smile and indicated for her to stay beside me if she wanted to.
She beamed at me, throwing herself back onto the bed so violently that the whole thing bounced.
I released a laugh and put my hands behind my head as I closed my eyes again. I tried to forget the fact that she was so close to me but it was difficult with the sound of her breathing a few inches away.
I started to drift off but her voice reached me again.
“I know,” she muttered. “But I think I like him despite his face.”
I bit my tongue against responding to that comment and forced myself to go to sleep. I really didn’t give a shit that she wasn’t attracted to me. I had a Princess waiting to be mine and I refused to let the rejection of one crazy, alluring girl affect me.
“What the hell is this?” Cassian’s voice roused me and I pushed myself upright as I blinked the sleep from my eyes.
“Shhh, he’s sleeping!” Kyra objected as she sat up too. Her dark hair was a mess from laying in the bed but as I looked at her it restyled itself into perfect waves which fell down her back.
“You’re supposed to be a suitor for the Princess,” Cassian growled, striding towards us with his jaw clenching so hard it looked like he might crack a tooth.
“I am a suitor for the-”
“What would people think if anyone saw the two of you sharing a bed?” he hissed.
I glanced at Kyra with a smirk. “Probably that she’s just had a brilliant night,” I teased.
“I did,” she agreed enthusiastically.
“You’re supposed to be a man of honour. The sort of man who the Princess would be proud to call her husband. Not a lecherous fiend who beds his maid a month before their wedding!”
“Alright. Calm down there, mate. I didn’t lay a hand on her, did I Kyra?” Not that I wouldn’t have if she’d have been willing but he doesn’t need to know that.
“No. The only person to touch me was myself,” she agreed.
I barked a laugh. “Well that’s understandable as you were sleeping beside me all night.”
Cassian glowered at the insinuation.
“I don’t understand...” Kyra frowned. “Oh... but why would I do that
?... I know but Master doesn’t exactly make me feel like-” Her eyes slipped to me and she promptly shut up as if someone had instructed her to. “I’m sorry about your face,” she muttered.
“Right. And you’re still alone in that opinion,” I snapped as I stood and walked away from her, pulling on a pair of pants as I went.
Cassian gripped my arm as I tried to pass him and I paused, looking into his eyes as he held me in place.
“I’d take your hand off of me if like your face in that arrangement, mate,” I warned.
“You should take better care of that genie,” he growled, his voice low. “She’s too innocent and easily corrupted by your low morals.”
“I never asked her to come to my bed in the middle of the night,” I replied icily. “But letting her stay there was me taking care of her. So why don’t you mind your own business and take your damn hand back?”
Cassian held my eye for another long moment before releasing me. I gave him a wide smile and patted his cheek. “Good boy.”
I strode away from him before the fury that blazed in his eyes could come to anything and a knock came at the door as I reached the central chamber.
“Enter,” I called, liking the way the authoritative tone sounded in my voice.
The door was thrown wide and four serving girls came in, pushing a large dining cart between them. They kept their heads low as they moved into the room and I smiled to myself as I noticed them stealing glances at me from beneath their lashes.
“Your breakfast, Count Nazari,” one of them murmured as the others began to lay plates of food on the table before the couch.
I eyed the meal with my stomach growling and Cassian and Kyra joined me. The guard looked like his anger with me had either lessened or had been quelled in the face of our company. Either way I was glad to be done arguing with him. I was all for playing the part of a pompous Count when I had to, but when the doors were closed I was going to be myself again.
One of the servants approached me, bowing low. “Your outfit for the tournament, sire,” she murmured, presenting me with a folded pile of white silk.
Forbidden Fairytales- The Complete Series Page 19