He was apologizing for his tone?
“It’s all right,” I murmured, forcing myself to turn away from the king’s harem. But my thoughts weren’t so easy to control.
How old was Prince Finn’s father? Centuries? Yet, he selected young human girls to be a part of his harem.
“Where is King Roderick?” I don’t know what possessed me to ask the question. Perhaps it was the desire to know when I should orchestrate Lorie’s and my escape from Draek. My gut twisted at the thought of ever coming face to face with the draekon ruler. With Lin’s involvement in the rebellion, we’d be better off leaving before the king returned.
“Off enjoying his latest conquest,” the prince answered. He did not hide his displeasure.
“What do you mean?” Was King Roderick conquering another helpless, human continent? Were there any besides ours?
Prince Finn rolled his shoulders but didn’t miss a single dance step. “My father took another companion some months ago. It’s something he does every few years. He always tries to woo the newest ones with a holiday away, hoping it will keep them from complaining once he returns to Court and his other females.”
It was a lot to process, especially in public. I forced the true depth of my unease from my face. I didn’t know why the prince decided to tell me so much about his father, and even though it was unpleasant to hear, I still valued the information.
In truth, it was a relief to know Prince Finn did not approve of his father’s romantic conquests. It enhanced his image of decency and goodness.
Prince Finn, it seemed, realized he’d traveled down an untimely topic. He gazed down on me, with a soft, confused expression. “Forgive me, Healer Amelissa.” He shook his head, dislodging a strand of hair from his immaculate hairstyle. “I should not have let my mouth run away with me. I have ruined our dance.” The orchestra’s notes started to fade away, and the prince stopped leading. He released me from his hold.
But I did not step away. I tried to offer a reassuring smile. “Please, just Amelissa. And you didn’t ruin anything.” Nothing would be able to diminish the minutes of levity the dance provided me. I considered asking Princess Cienna for dance lessons, eager to expand my love of music into the dancing arts, but quickly realized that would be pointless. Lorie and I would be leaving soon.
His forlorn appearance was replaced by pleasant surprise. “Thank you, Amelissa.” He eagerly dropped the title. “And you may call me Finn.”
My lips parted. Dropping a royal’s title seemed inappropriate, but I wasn’t given time to address it. A draekon with a burly beard—the first one I’d ever seen with facial hair—approached, coughing to draw the prince’s attention. He wore the royal guard’s uniform, minus the red cape.
Prince Finn saw the male and sighed. He turned back to me with an apologetic smile. “Forgive me, Amelissa. I must see to an important matter. May I find you once I return to the reception?”
I eyed the official-looking male and nodded. “Of course.”
The prince took my arm and guided me to the edge of the dance floor. With a polite bow, he turned and followed the guard out of the ballroom.
Some guests noted the prince’s departure, but they didn’t seem to think anything of it. They all returned to enjoying the celebration, some of them eyeing me with curiosity and amusement. The attention made my cheeks pink, and I decided it might be time to find another hideaway. Tucking my chin to my chest, I hurried to do just that.
35
The reception continued around me, full of boisterous and intoxicated guests. I endeavored to find a small space to be alone, but every inch of the enormous ballroom was occupied, and it didn’t look like anyone planned to leave anytime soon. Even the servant areas were crowded, preventing me from seeking sanctuary among my fellow humans.
I tried searching for Princess Cienna, but I could not distinguish her purple-black hair from the several other draekon with the matching color, and I was too short to see over the ocean of individuals. Giving up, I decided to escape the ballroom entirely.
Seeing the balcony doors were open, I lifted the hem of my dress and wound my way across the length of the room and into fresh air. The moon was large and bright, illuminating the stone beneath my sandaled feet. Tilting my head back, I inhaled the smell of nature and reveled in the light breeze blowing across my skin. The draekon never seemed hot, but my skin was sticky with light sweat from the crowded party.
The sounds of the reception trailed into the quiet space, interrupting the relaxing scene. I moved farther away from the ballroom and leaned against the stone railing bordering the edge of the balcony.
That moment was the first time I’d been truly alone since my illness. Lorie, Master Errol, or Princess Cienna had become my shadows—constantly hovering to make sure I was okay and alleviate their worries.
I didn’t realize I craved time to myself until I stole those few precious minutes. The weight of Warren’s death and Lin’s involvement with the ill-fated rebellion continued to press on me, but as I stood staring into the moonlit night with a cool crisp breeze kissing my cheeks, their burden didn’t feel as heavy.
I closed my eyes.
“Why does she keep showing up in these situations?” A voice that shouldn’t have been so familiar traveled on the wind, reaching my ears. My eyes snapped open, and I glanced down into the darkness.
Prince Brion’s words came from below, but I couldn’t find their source. Straining my eyes in the moonlight, I scanned the area, leaning over the rails.
There.
The moonlight gleamed on the king’s emblem embossed on his belt. Prince Brion and another male spoke near the bottom wall supporting the balcony. I started to inch backward. I didn’t not want to be caught listening in on a private conversation, but the prince’s next words stopped me.
“She was supposed to be safe in the kitchens and out of sight. Instead, she is traipsing around Court with my blasted siblings.”
Every hair on my arm stood to attention. I wanted to deny the prince spoke about me but I couldn’t. I should have walked away. I should return to the reception and leave them to speak alone. That would have been the polite and decent thing to do.
But I settled back against the railing, eager to listen in on the conversation below.
“Calm yourself, Brion.” I recognized Agent Min.
“I will calm myself once she leaves. She has no business being here.”
“The castle is the safest place for her. You know this. It is why you wanted her placed in the kitchens, remember?”
“The kitchens, yes. As my sister’s bloody healer and constant guest of honor, no.” A thump sounded below, and the stone beneath my feet trembled when the prince hit the wall. I flattened my hand to steady myself as I struggled to decipher their words.
The prince was responsible for my placement as a kitchen servant? It seemed unlikely. Why would he bother? And what did they mean about me being safe?
“How could you allow Finn to switch her position?”
“You forget, despite the fact we are friends, you and your brother are both princes of the crown. I do not allow Finn to do anything.” The edge in the agent’s tone was unmistakable. He was either brave or foolish to speak to the temperamental prince in such a way.
Prince Brion sighed. It was a tired sound. “Why did she have to be in the courtyard that day? If she’d stayed in the kitchens, none of this would have happened.”
He spoke of the attack. His knowledge of what transpired in the courtyard surprised me, but then I realized Prince Finn probably told his brother of my help when he’d been wounded.
“Perhaps the gods have other plans?”
The prince snorted dismissively.
“Is it truly so bad for Amelissa to be your sister’s friend?” It was the first time my name was mentioned, confirming I was the source of the prince’s frustration. “In all honesty, I do not understand your frustration.”
Neither did I.
Since the
first moment he had laid eyes on me, the prince treated me with contempt. He did not approve of me. For what reason, only the gods knew. I’d done nothing to earn his ire, but that changed nothing.
“I do not begrudge Cienna her friend,” Prince Brion replied, “but the attention she draws is dangerous.”
“You mean from Lord Erwin?”
A low growl filled the air. “Him and many others. And let us not forget, my father returns soon.” The words sounded ominous.
“You fear the king will take notice of Amelissa?”
“There is no question he will notice her. She is too unique not to notice.”
“And that upsets you?”
“His notice spells her doom,” the prince snapped. “If he realizes who she is—what she is—Amelissa will never be safe.”
Doom? I pressed my lips together. King Roderick was a danger to me. I believed it. Especially after seeing his harem, I knew I never wanted to meet the king.
But why did his son think the same? What did he know about his father that would endanger me?
Agent Min paused before saying, “You’re my friend. I will do what you ask, but you have yet to explain why her safety matters so much to you.” A loaded statement and one I leaned over the rail to better hear the response.
Several heartbeats passed before the prince replied in a low voice, “You know why.”
“I don’t.” Agent Min contradicted. I could see him shake his head in the faint moonlight. “Trust me, I’ve contemplated the matter many times. I have my suspicions, but it would be better to know the exact reason why you have spent so much effort to protect Amelissa.”
Protect me? I didn’t understand how glaring at me and pretending I didn’t exist was protecting me. Sure, the prince may have orchestrated my assignment to the kitchens. But again, how was that protecting me? And from what?
Prince Brion did not respond.
“You sent me to Caldiri. You scouted the area during our return. I didn’t question your motives. I never do. I work for the crown and will always do what you ask. But recent events force me to wonder why. Why her?”
The anticipation climbed from the soles of my feet to my scalp. I held my breath, tightening my hold on the railing.
The wind rustled through the trees, and an owl hooted in the distance. I’d completely drowned out the sounds of the party behind me, waiting eagerly for the prince’s explanation. I wanted to learn what between us fostered his attitude and actions towards me.
Silence persevered.
Disappointment flooded me.
Agent Min crossed his arms. “Fine. Keep it to yourself if you must. But do not expect me to intervene with Cienna. Your sister’s improvement extends beyond her health, and Amelissa also benefits from their time together.”
The last remark peaked the prince’s interest. “How so?”
The agent’s arms fell to his sides. “Do you really not see how skittish she is?”
“Skittish?”
I saw him nod in the faint moonlight. “Yes. All Caldirians fear draekon beyond what you’d expect. Amelissa, especially, walks around the castle like she expects someone to burn her to a crisp at any moment.”
The image made me gulp. I was more afraid of a draekon forcing me to be their companion, but I would admit their fire-breathing ability also concerned me. Knowing people easily saw my fear was embarrassing.
“I… hadn’t noticed.”
“How could you not?” Agent Min threw his disbelief out into the words. “She’s only recently started to meet draekon in the eye when speaking with them.”
I wasn’t aware I appeared so timid, but I guessed it wasn’t too surprising when I thought about it. Sure, I could interact with Prince Finn and Agent Min without feeling too much anxiety, but it wasn’t with the same ease as when I spoke with Master Errol or the princess. Old habits die hard, I supposed.
Prince Brion’s deep sigh lifted up. “I avoid watching her when I can.” He could have fooled me. In truth, I felt his heavy stare more often than I’d like.
Agent Min let the subject drop. “If nothing else, will you at least explain what happened in the barracks? I haven’t seen you behave in such a way since we were less than a century.”
My skin remembered feeling Prince Brion’s firm hands as he pulled me from Jasper. He’d been wild and accusatory, unhappy to learn I’d ventured into the burning building.
“I lost control.” That was putting it lightly.
“Brion,” the name was covered with warning. “You must realize what that makes me think—what that would make any other observing draekon think.”
“I’m aware.”
The last remark hung in the air between them. Agent Min allowed his friend the opportunity to continue, hoping he’d reveal more. I wasn’t sure what the males discussed, but I waited to hear more detail to figure it out.
“You do not want her removed from the castle.” It wasn’t a question.
“This is not a matter of what I want,” Prince Brion retaliated. “Her wellbeing is in danger as long as she is here.”
Agent Min ran both hands down his face. “I cannot make her disappear, Brion. Too many would notice her absence.”
“Return her to Caldiri.”
My heart leapt at the prospect of returning home. Already, I imagined Lorie and I resuming our normal lives. Once we were back, I knew I could convince Lin to abandon his involvement with the rebellion. He’d have no reason to endanger himself once we were safely back home.
“Again, many would notice. Besides,” Agent Min continued before the prince interjected. “That backwards region has never received a returning recruit, not even for visits. Lord Stanley keeps them isolated and afraid. It would do more harm than good to return her to Caldiri, for both Amelissa and her neighbors.”
His words rang true. What would I say to the families of past recruits?
Would I tell them the truth of the capital? Would they believe me even if I did?
After hearing certain stories our entire lives, the truth might be painful to swallow.
A gust of wind blew behind me, lifting the end of my dress and causing me to shiver as it passed over my cooled skin. After realizing I had more questions than answers, I moved to abandon my eavesdropping.
Before I could, however, I watched the prince’s shoulders lock. His neck snapped back, and I heard his inhale. He whirled in a half-circle, scanning the area around him.
“Brion?”
The prince ignored his friend. Still searching, Prince Brion stepped away from the wall, towards the open area below.
Suddenly uneasy, I inched back slowly, careful to not make any noise.
That was when a streaking blue bolt flew down from the sky. Its bright light illuminated the space around me, highlighting my terrified features as it headed right towards me.
36
I was never the type of person who’d freeze in a dangerous situation. But that was exactly what I did.
I stared, wide eyed and horrified, as the surprise attack rocketed toward me. I knew I should have run away to seek shelter, but I was too caught off guard. My feet refused to move.
The bolt drew nearer. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for impact.
A strong force collided with my chest, but it didn’t have the sharp pain I’d anticipated from the bolt. I opened my eyes as I flew backwards, strong arms wrapped around me. I saw the blue bolt strike the stone railing, very near where I’d been standing.
I felt myself falling back. My body was saved from the brute fall when the person holding me twisted, so it was his shoulder colliding with the ground. Our momentum stopped after we bounced a couple more times, and I landed, sprawling over his torso, his muscular arms still holding me tight.
I managed to pull back, gasping when I identified Prince Brion. He’d been on the ground below the balcony. How did he reach me in time?
My eyes fell back to his chest in front of me. His tunic’s neckline had spread open, and I watched
the tendon in his neck flicker.
“Are you all right?” His voice was gruff and a little winded. I looked back at him and marked his concern.
I swallowed. “I-I think so.”
Prince Brion shut his eyes, letting his head fall back. A few moments later, he lifted his neck, agitation overpowering his initial concern.
I scrambled back—or tried to. Prince Brion’s arms continued to restrain me. I pushed against his firm chest, trying to free myself. The prince loosened his flexed arms and released me.
I rolled to the side and struggled to find my footing. The long dress had wrapped around my legs.
The prince had no such trouble. He leapt to his feet, and I felt his penetrating gaze bore into the side of my face. I avoided him, focused on unraveling myself from the exquisite gown, my cheeks flaming from being so exposed to him.
“More incoming,” Agent Min called out.
Before I could look up, Prince Brion grabbed my arm and pulled me back towards the balcony doors.
“Sound the alarms,” he shouted to Agent Min, wherever he was. “We’re under attack.”
My heart pounded in my chest, and the fear from the earlier danger returned. I tried to deny the attack was orchestrated by the rebellion. Lin would have told me it was happening. He would have wanted to make sure Lorie and I were safely hidden in the castle.
Right?
I tripped, and Prince Brion pulled me up, continuing on without pause. Realizing we were about to enter the ballroom, I tried to pull my elbow away. His fingers tightened.
“Stop,” I croaked. “What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer.
I pulled back harder. “Stop. Just wait a moment.”
Again, the prince ignored me. He dragged me into the ballroom. Mortification flooded me as the reception’s guests saw my entrance. No one attempted to hide their shock at seeing me hauled in like a sack of potatoes. It certainly didn’t help that both Prince Brion and I sported wrinkled clothes and disheveled hair. My cheeks continued to burn. I could only imagine what they were thinking.
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