by Dawn Brower
“I’m not sure I like that particular smile of yours,” Daire said. “It is downright terrifying.”
“You think so?” She lifted her lips even higher. “Glad to know its working.”
Daire shook his head and sighed. “You don’t have to work so hard. I already like you, Elle.”
She didn’t want him to have any congenial feelings for her. It would be much better if he disliked her as much as she did him—or at least she tried to. He was making it harder and harder to remember why she was supposed to hate him.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” Elodie snorted. “I wouldn’t bother with you for any incentive.”
Daire sighed. “One day, you will realize you find me irresistible, and I’ll have moved on.” He held up his hand, preventing her from speaking. “Don’t argue with me on this. It’s inevitable. You want to hate me, but it’s clear you’re finding it impossible. There’s only so much disdain a person can swallow before they walk away and don’t look back.”
“Then we don’t have a problem,” Elodie said once he allowed her to get a word in. “Walk away now and we can pretend to be friends.”
“That’s the thing,” he said. “I’m not big on falsehoods and make-believe. Either we are or we aren’t. You can’t always have it your way.”
If he was to be believed, then she could trust him. What had Paige said? The wrong choice will trap you in an endless nightmare. How was she to figure out what direction to take? She had trouble putting her faith into an unknown quantity. If Cale would stay and help her… Elodie shook that idea away. It wouldn’t do any good to wish for something beyond possible. Cale made his choice, and she had to accept it. Even if it didn’t sit well with her and who she’d believed him to be. She’d been harboring some pent-up emotions where he was concerned.
Perhaps he’d done her a favor by breaking her heart before she could fall too deeply in love with him. With the right incentive, she’d have not only tumbled over willingly, but completely. Cale had crushed all of her hopes and dreams with one fatal blow. Still, her heart ached for what they could have had if he’d not been so ready to destroy it. The possibilities were endless, and she’d never have the opportunity to discover if they could have found true love with each other. Cale had taken so much from them both with his hasty declarations and impending exit from her life.
“I’m to be queen,” she said haughtily. “It’s in the job description to always get what I want.”
That wasn’t entirely true. A good queen put her people first. Elodie intended to be the best ruler her lands ever had. Daire didn’t need to know that though. He wasn’t the person she would lean on and ask to help guide her through uncharted territory. He could return to his home and hope his brothers abdicated so he could rule there. Honestly, she didn’t give a damn what he did as long as he left her alone.
“Well, queen-to-be,” Daire mocked. “Explain this festival.” He gestured toward the revelry outside the castle walls. “What is the point?”
Elodie smiled. “It is meant to be a spot of fun and competition. There is an archery contest I wanted to participate in. I wonder if it has started.”
“Archery?” He raised a brow. “Let’s find out, shall we?” He held out his arm to her.
She stared at him as if he’d grown another head. What made him think she’d take his arm and allow him to escort her? “Follow me,” she said and headed away from him. He would either come or not; she didn’t care either way. He would learn soon enough she didn’t need a male to lead her.
Daire stepped beside her and kept the pace as they walked toward the archery contest. Stacks of hay were set up in a field with targets pinned to them. A bunch of villagers were gathering near to participate. Elodie approached the person in charge and said, “Is it too late to join?”
“We have not yet begun,” the male said not looking up. When he did, he bowed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you, princess. We always have room for you.”
She frowned. “Don’t bow. Today I’m part of the revelry. Add Prince Daire as a contestant as well.”
The male glanced over her shoulder and met Daire’s gaze. He nodded several times as he marked something on a parchment. “Yes, yes, he said. “I have you.”
The organizer stepped away absentmindedly. He talked to someone else and they gestured it was time to begin. The first set of archers stepped up and pulled an arrow up to their bow, nocking it in place. Elodie was in the first group. She held the arrow in place and kept her focus on the target. The center was in her sight. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and reminded herself to remain calm, then opened them and let the arrow fly. It hit the target, but it was slightly off center. Still a good shot, and she was proud of her first round.
“Not bad,” Daire said. “Could be better though.”
She spun on her heels and glared up at him. “You think you can beat me?”
“Without even trying,” he replied.
Elodie wanted to wipe the smugness oozing out of him and show him he wasn’t as perfect as he believed. “Care to make a wager?” It was probably a bad idea, but she couldn’t stop the words from spilling out of her mouth.
His lips tilted upward into a mocking grin. “You don’t want to do that, princess. It won’t be pretty when you lose.”
Ohhh… Elodie gritted her teeth and made herself calm down. She’d make him pay for that. “So you’re afraid. I understand.”
He winked at her. His lips tilted up into a half smile that oozed cockiness. “Very well,” Daire agreed, humor echoing in his words. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I’ll take my chances.” She rolled her eyes.
Daire moved past her to take his place. He was in the second group of archers, and they were preparing to launch their arrows. His stance was good, and he probably did have some skill. Perhaps she should do something to aid her cause. She stepped closer to him and said, “We didn’t discuss terms.”
He didn’t glance in her direction as he replied, “It’s simple. When I win, you will owe me a boon.”
“No,” she disagreed. “When I win, it’s you who will bestow upon me a gift.”
Daire kept the bow in place, his arrow nocked and ready to launch. He stared down at her, not once looking at the target, and let the arrow fly. It hit dead center, and he hadn’t even been focusing on where to send it. “You were saying?”
How the hell… That wasn’t real. He couldn’t shoot without actually looking at the target. She would not let him win so he could hold it over her head for the rest of their days. He already had an ego the size of a mountain. It was up to her to knock him down several pegs on his imaginary ladder of supremacy.
“The contest isn’t over yet,” she said. “There are three more rounds.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Daire said with arrogance dripping from him. “I’m good at exactly one thing—well two but that’s for another day. Archery is in my blood, and when it’s over you will owe me.”
She was afraid he was right. What had she gotten herself into? What if this was the beginning of her downfall. Deciphering the witch’s clues had never been more important. The boon Daire demanded might be more than she was willing to give.
“What is the meaning of this?”
Elodie spun around and met Fiona’s gaze. Her green eyes were pure ice as she glared at Elodie. “Daire and I are becoming better acquainted. Isn’t that what you wanted?” She lifted a brow, daring her to disagree.
“Don’t put words into my mouth, girl,” Fiona said. “I promise you, they will come back to bite you. Why are you dressed like a common villager? Go inside and dress appropriately. It’s unseemly for a princess to wear trousers.”
Elodie lifted her chin defiantly. “I’d love to, but Daire and I are in the midst of a pointed battle. I can’t abandon it until one of us wins.” Even if it wasn’t her.
“I believe it’s inevitable that I win,” Daire interjected. “Don’t let me stand in the way of propriet
y.”
Elodie turned and faced him. She tried to tell him to shut his mouth without saying a word. Hopefully, her enraged glare got the message across. “Don’t count your winnings before all the arrows have hit their target. A Kendrick doesn’t give up until they’re forced to.”
“Consider yourself forced,” the queen said. She motioned toward some of the guard. “Escort the princess inside.”
Elodie tried to evade them but wasn’t strong enough. “I’ll make you regret this.”
The queen stared at her without any emotion. “Not as much as you already do, my dear. Keep fighting me, and I’ll show you exactly what you will receive, and I promise you this—you will rue the day you ever defied me.” Fiona unlatched Elodie’s scabbard and quiver then held it up to one of the guards. “The princess won’t be needing these. See it’s disposed of. And take her bow too.”
The knight took Elodie’s weapons away and walked off. Cale had given those to her. They had meant so much to her. The blades had been more than a gift… They had represented her freedom and the need to overcome every one of her adversities. In her heart of hearts, they were also the one thing she had that Cale had given her. By taking them from her Fiona had effectively severed her last remaining tie to her knight. It wasn’t something she’d readily thank her stepmother for.
At least there was no physical sign the gift had come from Cale. For that, she could be thankful because if Fiona realized where they’d come from she might find a way to enact some form of punishment on him. She might be disappointed in his decision, but she never wanted to see him hurt. Fiona could take them away from her and maybe in some way her stepmother believed she was doing the right thing. That didn’t change anything though. It still stung to realize she had no power and it would be days before she could do anything—if Fiona actually allowed the coronation to take place.
Elodie made a silent vow of her own. The queen would fall, and she’d be the one to stomp her out of power. But first she had to lick her wounds and come back to fight another day. While she was sequestered in her tower, she’d attempt to interpret the witch’s vision. The answer was there. All she needed was time and a moment of clarity to uncover it.
Advice Not Taken
Sitting alone in her chambers for the rest of the afternoon gave Elodie a lot to think about. The longer she remained without anyone to talk to, the more resolved she became. Fiona could take her weapons, but that wouldn’t stop her. Once she was queen she’d banish her stepmother. What she had done, and in front of the villagers… It was inexcusable.
The door to her chambers opened. Elodie turned toward it to see who dared interrupt her solitude. Susanna walked in and shut the door behind her. “A fine mess you’ve managed to fall into this time, milady.”
“I don’t need any more lectures,” Elodie said sullenly. “What are you doing here?”
Fiona didn’t usually allow her visitors when she was being punished. What game was she playing now? Did she hope to lure her with a false sense of security? Elodie would be neither a fool nor a willing part of Fiona’s schemes. She should have waited to reveal her skills. At least no one realized her true talent was with the short swords. Her archery was subpar in comparison.
“I’m here to help you dress for the ball,” Susanna said. “I pressed the gown earlier.”
Right, the ball. “I’m surprised Fiona is allowing me to attend.”
“She can’t very well keep you locked in your room. This celebration is for you, after all. How would she explain your absence?”
Susanna pulled the dress out of the armoire and laid it on the bed. She smoothed out the skirts, then turned toward Elodie. “You’re going to look beautiful when I’m done.”
Elodie’s lips twitched. “You mean I’m not always beautiful?”
Susanna waved her hand. “You know what I mean.”
Her maid was her biggest supporter, but she also realized Elodie didn’t care for the more elegant side of being a princess. Wearing ball gowns, elaborate hair styles, and tiaras weren’t what made someone a good ruler. Leather trousers and simple black tunics were far more practical and comfortable. Anything else was unnecessary flash.
“I don’t want to go,” Elodie said. “Fiona gave me the perfect excuse to stay in my chambers for the evening. If I went down there, I’d have to put on a good face and pretend all is well in my world. We both know that is the furthest thing from the truth.”
“You have to go,” Susanna said. “Not for yourself, and not even for Fiona. This isn’t the time for selfishness.”
“You’re not going to talk me into it,” Elodie replied. “It’s not selfish when I’ve been banned from attending.”
It was ridiculous, but she couldn’t shake the stubborn out of herself. She should go down to the ball. The guests would think it was odd she wasn’t in attendance, and Fiona would be able to say she’d sent her maid to help her prepare for the evening. The queen would probably punish Susanna for failing to deliver her on time. She was being a selfish brat.
“That nonsense doesn’t work with me.” Susanna lifted her hands and rested them on her hips. She glared at Elodie and said, “If you won’t go for yourself, or even to show the villagers there is nothing to worry about, at least go to see Sir Griffin one last time. Tomorrow, he will be gone, and you’ll regret not seeing him off.”
“I can say good bye in the morning,” Elodie said. “There’s no reason to put a fancy dress on and say it tonight.”
She probably wouldn’t bother seeking Cale out. All the words they needed to relay had been said. There was no reason to rehash it. An ache filled her whenever she thought about him. Seeing him would be a thousand times worse. Falling for him had been so easy. Finding a way to move past it would be more work than she could ever imagine. It would be akin to starting her training all over again. A novice with no skill fumbling to find balance where there was none. She was that eager pupil once again, but this time she was fighting for ownership of her own heart.
Going back to the beginning when their lives became irrevocably intertwined… She didn’t relish thinking of those first days. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As much as she wanted to forget she never could. He was an integral part of her now—interwoven in her soul in a way nothing could unravel. He’d taught her many things over the past year, but the greatest gift he’d given her was the ability to trust again. He might be leaving, but that didn’t mean his lessons should be tossed aside as useless. Cale was a warrior first and a protector second. Both parts of him were telling him to leave her. Maybe one day she’d understand that decision but for now, all she had was the pain that filled her. For that reason, She wouldn’t willingly seek him out.
Why go through that heartache again? Cale had made his choice, and she wouldn’t stand in his way. The ball wasn’t the place to see him. Besides, he’d not be there for personal reasons. His place was with the guard. However, Prince Daire would be there, and no doubt she’d be required to dance with him. Elodie wasn’t sure she was ready for another round of his charming veneer.
Susanna sighed. “You may not want to hear this, but I’m going to say it anyway. You’re a stubborn idiot. Regrets are funny things. We all have some, and no matter how much we try, we can’t escape them. They linger in our minds like wishes we never sent out on the wind. Why add to the list something you can prevent?” Susanna crossed over to her side and cupped her cheek in her hand. “Go to the ball and tell him how you feel. It might not go the way you hope, but at least you’ll know you tried.”
Did she want to take that risk? Lay her heart out and bare her soul? What if he crushed her even more than before? Would she survive that gut-wrenching pain? Crying was a useless endeavor, and she’d hate to give in to it for the second time that day. What if Susanna was right? Maybe Cale didn’t realize how much she cared for him. If she opened herself up to the possibility, it might give her the one thing she needed to continue to fight her stepmother. She was alone and had no on
e she could trust. No, that wasn’t entirely true. Susanna would stay by her side no matter what. They had a bond that even the evilest of queens could not break. But Susanna wasn’t a soldier, and she couldn’t fight a war.
“You’re right,” Elodie agreed. “I should go to the ball.”
She could at least speak to Cale and gauge his reactions. He might be more receptive than she realized. Elodie had a decision to make, but she wouldn’t make one until she had all the information. Fools rushed in and let their heart rule their judgment. Once she was at the ball, she’d study everyone and see if there was any one she could rely on. There was also Abram to consider. He’d signed that betrothal agreement and kept it from her. She wanted to talk to him and figure out why he’d done it. Had the queen forced his hand, or had he truly believed he’d done the right thing for her.
Susanna smiled and said, “I’m glad you’re able to see reason. Now, let’s make sure you’re a vision no one will be able to forget.”
Elodie fully intended to give them something to remember her by. They’d be thinking about her for a very long time. When the night was over, she’d put her mark on the world. Fiona would realize that she may be the current queen, but her days were numbered. In less than a week, she’d be a distant memory. Her lips tilted upward slowly as she plotted in her mind. Maybe she wouldn’t be able to do what she wanted at the ball, but she would be able to set the wheels in motion.
“The flowers I picked earlier,” Elodie said. “Are they still usable?”
They’d been her excuse for being outside the castle walls as the princess. She had liked them when she’d picked them, but wasn’t sure until that moment if she’d actually use them. Their wildness suited her needs. They had beautiful white petals with a hit of blue around the center.
“There are a few that can be used,” Susanna said. “What did you have in mind?”
“Let’s forego the tiara tonight,” Elodie said. “Make me a crown as wild as I am.”