“So how does that help us?” I asked. “We already know she’s eating those kids’ hearts so that doesn’t really-”
“What?” Rapunzel squeaked and we all glanced her way.
“I thought it best not to burden you with every detail while you were coming to terms with what we’d told you,” Cassian said quickly, throwing an irritated glance my way.
“She can take it,” I replied dismissively. “You wanna know all of it, right?” I asked, looking at Rapunzel.
Her lips parted and for a moment I almost thought she was going to bolt. I guessed everything we’d told her was a hell of a lot to take in but a steely determination grew in the depths of her eyes and she nodded firmly instead.
“I want to know,” she agreed and I flashed Cassian an ‘I told you so’ smirk.
“Very well,” he agreed with a sigh. “I only wanted to shield you from the worst of it. Fill her in.”
“Where should we begin?” Kyra asked excitedly, sliding her chair closer to the Princess without seeming to notice that it made her uncomfortable. “Do you want to know about the boy who died twice or the bugs in people's brains?”
Rapunzel’s mouth fell open in horror and I burst out laughing as Cassian glared at us.
“Buckle up, Princess,” I said with a grin, because I think you’re about to find out a whole lot of things about your pretty palace that you might wish you’d never known.”
***
When I was finished explaining and the Princess had stopped asking questions, she fell into a contemplative silence. I had to give it to her, the girl was taking it all in her stride. She hadn’t lost her shit once. Even when I’d told her about the bug living in her Daddy’s head.
“This is infuriating ting,” Cassian muttered, shoving another book away from himself.
“I wish for a book on Shaitans, Kyra,” I said lazily and Cassian threw me the most furious glare.
“What?!” he bellowed as Kyra cast the book from nothing and the huge thing slammed down in front of Cassian on the table.
Rapunzel jolted in alarm, clutching his arm. She quickly released him, muttering an apology.j
“You could have saved me hours in this library,” Cassian snarled at me.
“Yeah, sorry mate.” I shrugged, not really meaning it. I got around to it in the end though so he really should have been more grateful.
He flipped the book open way more violently than was necessary and Rapunzel leaned in to read over his shoulder.
“Is there anything about destroying her?” she whispered hopefully.
“Zap, bang, wallop,” Kyra supplied brightly. “One of those should do it.” She mimed a lighting bolt with sound effects and all and I grinned stupidly at her as the others got to work flicking through the pages.
It was kinda handy not being able to read sometimes.
Kyra floated around on a little purple cloud, kicking her legs as if she was swimming. A part of me wished I could join her up there, flying about like that with no cares in the world.
“Here,” Cassian announced excitedly and Rapunzel’s eyes brightened. “It says a Shaitan can be killed with a blade that has pierced the heart of an Emperor.” He glanced up, his brow creased with frustration. “Great, where are we going to find one of those?”
I shrugged and Rapunzel sighed.
“I had one of those once,” Kyra sang as her cloud floated down to hover beside me. “Stab, stab, stabby, stab.”
Rapunzel lifted her head to gaze up at her. “Where is it now?”
“Gone,” she said. “I never saw it after I left it in his chest.”
“I wish we had it,” I said, raising my eyebrows at her hopefully.
“Oh,” Kyra said, her eyes flickering with concern. “I can’t actually create or summon a magical object…”
Rapunzel and Cassian both look disappointed at that revelation but I didn’t like the idea of making Kyra feel bad about her limitations.
“Well I was beginning to think you were too perfect so it’s about time you said there was something you can’t do,” I said, reaching out to squeeze her hand reassuringly.
Kyra released a breath of laughter and my smile widened in response.
Cassian cleared his throat and I noticed rapunzel’s eyes on us. I took my hand back a little reluctantly and leaned back in my chair again.
Cassian started re-reading the passage then flipping more pages. “There has to be another way.”
“If there is, mate, you’ll be the one to find it.” I stood up with a broad yawn, reaching over to slap him on the shoulder.
He shot me a look that said figures, but I didn’t much care about pissing him off. My bed was calling. And nothing would keep from it. Not even a crazy ass Shaitan with plans of taking over Osaria.
I stood outside Aladdin's chambers, hesitating as I wondered if this was a good idea. It was barely past dawn but I was fairly confident that an Osarian guard would be awake by now.
We’d stayed far too late in the library last night and it had all been for nothing. The book hadn’t revealed any other way we might be able to destroy Gothel. And the thought had left me feeling vulnerable. I wanted to be prepared to face my step-mother myself if I had to. So there was no time to waste.
I raised my hand and rapped my knuckles on the door, anticipation trickling through me.
Cassian yanked the door open almost immediately and my gaze slammed into his bare chest. Sweat was gleaming on his bronzed skin, his muscles primed from the workout he must have been in the middle of.
Look up look up look up!
I cleared my throat as I raked my eyes up from his body, heat rushing into my blood. Kyra's magic allowed me to continually see his true face and every time I'd looked at him since, my mouth had dried up. I kept reliving that moment. His eyes locking with mine for the first time. My face exposed, his intense gaze. I felt like that now, a girl revealed. And my heart didn't know what to do with that feeling.
“Forgive me, I-” Cassian started, looking alarmed.
“No, no, I'm the one who showed up here unannounced,” I said quickly, my cheeks scorching as my blush deepened.
I always did like watching the guards train. And Aladdin sure as hell didn't care about looking at other women in front of me, so why should I give a damn about getting an eyeful of Cassian?
His jaw tightened and I got the feeling he was confused. Not surprising as I'd turned up here without an escort and was now ogling him like a creep.
“Did you want to speak with Aladdin?” he asked, his eyes trailing to the door across the room. “Because he tends to rise at the crack of noon.”
A laugh escaped me and he gripped the door, a grin pulling up his mouth. He had a nice mouth. Oh my god shut up brain.
“Actually I came to speak with you,” I said, pulling my braid over one shoulder and becoming very interested in it for a moment. I just need to look at something else for a second.
“You did?” Cassian balked.
My heart twisted uncomfortably and I glanced up at him with a frown. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am. You almost died because you saw my face and you were only trying to stop Gothel and-”
He held up a hand. “No apology needed. I'm not above the law.”
“It's a stupid law,” I muttered and he smirked, stepping back, seeming to think our interaction was coming to an end. But it wasn't. Not even close.
“There was something else,” I said quickly, wondering if he might react to this better than the last time I'd brought it up. But I had one thing over him now. He wasn't Aladdin's guard from Carubai, he was my guard.
Cassian glanced over at Aladdin's door again with an expression of unease. “Um...maybe you could come back later?” he suggested. “Aladdin really isn't a morning person, you're best to see him after a coffee...or three.”
I laughed. “No, Cassian, I have something else to say to you.”
His brows raised as he stared at me, waiting for me to explain.
&n
bsp; “You promised to train me,” I revealed, excitement strumming my heart as I gazed up at him hopefully.
His expression grew taut and my heart took a dive. “I specifically recall saying I wouldn't train you.”
“That was before you told me who you really are,” I said lightly.
“What difference does it make? I can't train you unchaperoned even if it was socially acceptable. Which it isn't by the way, but I'm sure you of all people know that.”
I rolled my eyes, stepping into the doorway and resting my shoulder against it. “Well I'm willing to take the risk if you are. Besides, one thing is different now.”
“What?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“You're an Osarian guard. Which means I'm your ruler not Aladdin and you have to do as I command. If anyone found out, I'd just tell them I made you do it.” I shrugged. “They can't behead the Princess.”
“No but they could have my balls for it,” he growled.
“Not on my orders,” I promised.
“What about the Emperor's orders? Gothel's?” He shook his head in continued refusal.
I sighed, flopping against the door dramatically. “Cassian,” I groaned. “Please do this for me. I'll never get any better at fighting if I'm not trained.” I grinned, resting a hand to my forehead as I slid further down the door, pretending to faint.
Cassian snorted a laugh. “Fine.”
I sprang upright, clapping my hands as joy bloomed in my chest. I'm going to be trained! “Let's go! We'll take the secret passages and be back before breakfast.”
“One moment.” He bowed his head and walked away toward what I assumed was his bedroom.
My eyes fell on rows and rows of scars criss-crossing over his shoulders and back. My mouth parted and all of my joy fell away in an instant. My heart twitched and jolted. Where had he gotten those? They looked old. And my stomach knotted as I realised they must have come from his time in the Royal Guard.
When he returned, he was dressed in a white shirt with a large scimitar strapped to his hip.
“What's wrong?” he asked, noting my expression.
My mouth opened but no words came out. How had I lived right next to the training grounds my entire life and not realised that the guards were being beaten?
I shook my head, turning and leading the way out into the corridor. Cassian's footfalls followed me and the further we walked, the more guilt consumed me.
I'm a terrible Princess.
I don't even know what goes on right under my nose.
I pulled back a tapestry on the wall and stepped into the secret passage beyond it. I scooped up the candle I'd left there to light the way, sensing Cassian following me into the dark tunnel.
My heart stuttered as I was suddenly overly aware of being alone with a man I didn't know at all. But he was a guard. They were innately trustworthy. Even if this particular one had broken the law, it had all been in the name of protecting the kingdom.
“This way,” I said, leading him along the passages, winding our way to the training hall.
We soon arrived, stepping through the hidden door concealed behind a wall panel. The hall was bathed in golden hues as the rising sun poured through the windows.
“I'll just get changed,” I said and Cassian gave me a look that said he was about to leave. “Behind that screen.” I pointed and he gave me a sideways smile before nodding.
I jogged away, adrenaline surging as I succumbed to the thrill of this once more. One of my deepest wishes was about to come true. I'd hone my craft, be trained by one of the best warriors in the kingdom.
I tugged off my linen pants and shirt, pulling on the navy fighting clothes that had been washed and folded here since I'd last practiced.
When I was done, I stepped out from behind the screen and Cassian's gaze trailed down my close-fitting attire. The intensity of his eyes made me fear what was to come next. I'd trained for years alone but no one had ever appraised me. How good was I really?
“I want a guard's training session,” I announced and Cassian straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. “You're not to hold back on me because I'm a Princess. Or a woman. Do you understand?”
A glimmer of amusement passed through his hazel gaze. “Are you quite sure?”
“Yes,” I said immediately. “I want to know what I'm capable of.”
He nodded. “Well I'm rather interested to find out myself.”
“Go on then. What's first?” I asked, suddenly nervous. What if I suck at this and I just thought I was good all these years because no one ever told me how bad I was?
I glanced at the weapons on the wall but Cassian shook his head. “Ten laps of the hall. If you don't do it in under fifteen minutes, you'll do it again.” His tone was firm, no joke hidden between his words. He stared at me, then to a clock on the wall and I gasped, running to the edge of the room and sprinting around it as fast as I could.
I circled the huge hall five times before my legs screamed in protest. I tried to see the time, but Cassian now had the clock in his hand – damn him!
I'd started off too fast, burning up all of my energy.
Finally, I staggered to a halt in front of Cassian, clasping my knees as I caught my breath. “Time?” I begged, praying I'd made it in under fifteen minutes.
“Fifteen minutes and four seconds,” he announced and I stood upright with a hopeful look.
“That's close enough right?” I panted.
He shook his head. “Again,” he growled and I gazed at him in horror. “You want a real guard's training, don't you?”
I nodded weakly, beginning to regret that decision as I jogged away and started all over again. I kept my pace steadier this time, but on the final loop I increased my speed and sprinted the whole way round. As I flew toward Cassian at the finishing point, he started grinning.
I skidded to a halt, desperate, sweaty and half tempted to flop down onto the floor. “Time?” I gasped.
“Fourteen minutes forty nine seconds.” He placed the clock back on the wall and sunshine glowed in my chest.
“Now get on the floor,” he ordered, folding his arms.
I dropped to my knees, more than happy to comply, but before I could spread my body across the cool boards, he said, “Fifty push ups. Count every one out loud.”
My heart sank and I groaned, moving into the position and starting the count. Push ups weren't something I did regularly but I had a decent amount of upper body strength so I wouldn't be broken yet.
As I reached ten, my shoulders started to tremble. “Eleven – twelve- thir-teen.”
Oh no, I'm not that strong after all.
“If you stop, you start again,” Cassian said, his boots appearing in front of my face.
“Ass-hole,” I panted and he barked a laugh.
I shut my eyes, sweat clinging to my body like a film. Loose locks of hair were stamped to my face and I continually blew them out of my eyes.
“Fifty!” I yelled at last, collapsing onto the floor with a sigh of relief.
“Up,” Cassian commanded and I rolled onto my back, unable to do it.
I scrambled to my knees, but my body refused to help me up further than that. Cassian held out a hand for me and I took it, his skin burning even hotter than mine. He hauled me upright and I stumbled into him as my vision swam.
“Did you eat this morning?” he asked in a low tone as I leant against his arm for a second, his bicep hardening beneath my fingers.
We were too close, much too close.
I backed up, shaking my head as my heart bounded and lurched in my chest.
This is seriously inappropriate.
“You have to fuel your body for training like this.” He pressed his lips together, his concern clear.
“Next time I will,” I conceded, pushing the sweaty locks of hair from my forehead. I probably looked like a half-drowned rat at this point but the way Cassian was looking at me didn't suggest he noticed it.
“That's enough for today th
en,” he muttered.
“We've barely started!” I protested.
“I'm not training you on an empty stomach. You'll be carried out of here on a stretcher while they carry me off to a dungeon for it.” His tone was light, but he wasn't far from the truth.
“Alright,” I sighed. “But at least have one sword fight with me, I haven't had a partner since my father...” I frowned, my stomach dropping as I looked away from Cassian, unable to finish that sentence.
“Since Gothel,” he said gently.
I nodded firmly, hatred rolling freely through me. The fact that I knew she was pure evil now made it slightly easier to bear. At least Father wasn't being cruel of his own accord. At least I knew it had been her all along.
Cassian gazed at me a moment before drawing the scimitar from his hip, his expression offering me everything I wanted in that second.
I beamed, practically skipping toward the wall and plucking my mother's sword from the rack. My fingers trailed over her initials instinctively and I turned to Cassian with a daring look. “Are you sure we should play with real swords, I might hurt you.”
Cassian chuckled darkly. “I assure you, you won't.”
“And what about me?” I swung the blade through the air in a lazy circle. “What if you hurt me, Cassian?” I teased, but his eyes didn't hold any more amusement.
“I swear on all of Osaria that I won't.”
My thoughts muddled for a moment. Aladdin had said that exact thing to me when I'd asked him not to tell anybody my deepest secret. That I wished to be free.
Weird.
I nodded to Cassian, raising my blade.
He beckoned me closer and we took up fighting stances opposite one another. My heart thumped a furious beat in my chest, my mouth was dry and my skin sticky. But every ounce of energy I had was flooding to the tips of my fingers where I gripped the sword.
“Ready?” he asked, his eyes glittering with anticipation.
“Always,” I teased.
Forbidden Fairytales- The Complete Series Page 46